Dr. Marcia Roye, Senior Lecturer in Biotechnology at The University of the West Indies, was announced earlier this year as one of a group of just 20 women to receive the L’Oreal-UNESCO International Fellowship Grant. She is also the first Jamaican to have received the L’Oreal-UNESCO International Fellowship (in 2000), and among an exclusive group of approximately 1,100 female scientists from 103 countries worldwide to have been distinguished by Awards or supported in the pursuit of their career through the L’OREAL-UNESCO Women in Science partnership.

Research conducted by Dr. Roye has resulted in the identification of numerous plant viruses, and has played an integral role in the development of strategies to control them.

Locally, her work has resulted in the identification of more than 24 viruses associated with plants such as red pea, broad bean, tomato, scotch bonnet pepper, cabbage and common weeds. Her research has been instrumental in facilitating the control of viruses in two crops by cultivation of resistant varieties of tomato and cabbage. This has enabled the local agriculture market to flourish, as these plant viruses can cause significant yield loss.

Dr. Roye’s research in viruses has expanded to humans, as she has now embarked on research in the detection of antiretroviral (ARV) drug resistance of HIV in Jamaican patients. The research serves to improve ARV treatment and outcome for HIV-affected individuals as well as the quality of life of HIV patients.

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