Three UWI Students Head to UK for Groundbreaking Surgical Robotics Research Program
12 May 2025
From left: Justin Sooknanan (St Augustine), Abishua Johnson (Mona), and Samiya Allen (Cave Hill)
A top Cave Hill science student will join two of her UWI counterparts in a cutting-edge surgical robotics research program this summer at the University of Leeds. The newly launched
CariSurg Summer Surgical Robotics Research Program is more than just an academic opportunity—it’s a bold step toward transforming healthcare innovation in the Caribbean through international collaboration and mentorship.
Selected from a pool of over 130 applicants across all UWI campuses, Ms. Samiya Allen (Cave Hill), Mr. Justin Sooknanan (St. Augustine), and Mr. Abishua Johnson (Mona) will spend two months immersed in the internationally renowned Science and Technology of Robotics in Medicine (STORM) Lab led by Professor Pietro Valdastri. They will conduct research in areas such as robotic-assisted surgery and the development of low-cost AI-driven technologies for cancer detection.
Founded by St. Lucian-born researcher Nikita Greenidge at the University of Leeds, in partnership with The UWI, the summer program is designed to create direct pathways for Caribbean students to contribute to—and eventually lead—the next generation of breakthroughs in surgical robotics and AI in medicine.
“This program is about preparing our brightest minds to shape the future of healthcare,” said Greenidge. “We must be part of the solution if we are ever to lead it. By creating access to these spaces, we’re building a foundation for innovation that’s rooted in our region’s context and clinical needs while strengthened by meaningful global collaboration.”
This all-expense paid program goes far beyond the lab. Students will also benefit from professional development workshops to support graduate school applications, tailored career mentorship, cultural exchange activities, and networking with leading researchers from around the world. From exploring the UK to connecting with Caribbean clinical mentors, every aspect of the experience is curated to build a pipeline of globally-minded, locally-grounded innovators.
This CariSurg initiative has been made possible through generous support from
Emergent Ventures, a prestigious global fellowship that invests in high-impact ideas. It is also supported by the
Caribbean College of Surgeons and the
Caribbean Society of Endoscopic Surgeons, who will provide clinical mentorship to ensure the students' research is firmly grounded in regional healthcare realities.
“This is a powerful example of what can happen when our universities work together with a shared vision,” said Dr. Carl Beckford, one of the program’s champions. “We are not only creating a unique opportunity for these students, but building the foundation for a research ecosystem that can serve the Caribbean for generations to come.”
Students will be supervised by faculty from both institutions, including Dr. Carl Beckford, Dr. Sean Miller, and Ms. Sasha-Gay Wright from UWI, and Nikita Greenidge, Joshua Davy, Andrea Yanez Trujillo, and Gerardo Loza from the University of Leeds.
For more information on CariSurg and future opportunities, please visit
www.carisurg.com.
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