Bahamas Poised for Breakthroughs in Research with Latest Wilson Grant Scholars

17^th November 2025

Nassau, THE BAHAMAS — A proposed Underwater Data Centre (UDC) that could position The Bahamas at the forefront of global AI innovation, an HPV self-test to screen for cervical cancer and save lives, a network of low-quality air sensors to map pollution hotspots, and new data on the population, nesting range and density of the Bahama Parrots in Great Abaco are the latest research projects awarded funding under the prestigious Wilson Awards Programme.

The announcement was made during a special presentation held recently at University of The Bahamas (UB) which partners with the Wilson Family Foundation, headed by Sir Franklyn Wilson and Sharon Lady Wilson, to incentivize transformative scholarly research. The 2025 cohort of Wilson Scholars includes four UB faculty members, a UB alumna pursuing a graduate degree abroad, and a pair of physicians.

“These awards serve as an ongoing pipeline of support for a spectrum of topics in Bahamian research,” noted UB President Dr. Robert Blaine, III. “The seed funding of a Wilson Grant empowers scholars to explore questions, document history, solve problems and create new knowledge. Through the Wilson Awards, we’re investing not only in individual projects, but in the future of The Bahamas, in knowledge that can shape better policies, stronger communities, and a more sustainable future.”

Among the cutting-edge research is one by Assistant Professor Dr. Brandon Bethel, coordinator for UB’s Small Island Sustainability programme, on a proposed underwater AI-driven data centre off the Berry Islands, an idea that could radically reduce energy costs associated with advanced computing. As AI development surges globally, the data centres that power it consume enormous amounts of electricity and generate substantial heat. A submerged data centre, cooled naturally by the ocean and strategically positioned near subsea cable lines, could offer The Bahamas a competitive edge, Dr. Bethel contends.

Physicians Dr. Darron Halliday and Dr. Raleigh Butler are tackling one of the country’s most urgent health challenges: cervical cancer, the leading cause of gynecologic cancer deaths among Bahamian women. Their research will evaluate the viability of HPV self-testing, an accessible screening tool that could improve early detection and reduce mortality.

UB Assistant Professor Dr George Odiahmbo and Assistant Professor Dr. Amin Kabir, are partnering on an innovative project to deploy a network of low-quality sensors across communities to identify pollution hotspots and assess personal exposure. Their research is groundbreaking, given the absence of regulatory air monitoring stations in The Bahamas and the significant data gap that exists.

UB alumna, now graduate degree student, Demonica Brown, is investigating the nesting range, density, and landscape influencing the native Bahama Parrots in Great Abaco which would give new data on the factors that influence how they choose their nesting sites. This information is vital to conservation efforts as climate and habitat conditions shift.

Co-Chair of the Wilson Foundation Review Board Dr. Marjorie Brooks-Jones affirmed UB’s growing reputation for research.

“UB has been and continues to be known as an excellent teaching institution. But with the support of the Wilson Family Foundation, it is strengthening its reputation not only as a center for research, but of excellence in research,” Dr. Brooks-Jones said.

For Sir Franklyn Wilson, the vision behind the awards programme is being realized, and perhaps even exceeded.

“I happen to be an Anglican, and there’s a passage in our prayer book that says ‘Lord, grant us the things for which in our blindness we cannot ask’. That’s what this was all about,” said Sir Franklyn. “How are you going to ask for this? I mean, you can see it. You can see: research. This is what the University is all about. Teaching is fundamental, of course, but beyond teaching is research.

“It’s just beyond imagination. My family and I, we’re going to do everything to foster and encourage this. We encourage all other people to get involved, do something. All of the studies, look at them, they’re amazing.”

The Wilson Awards Programme issues a maximum of four $6,000 awards annually. It will culminate in the Wilson Prize of $50,000 for scholarly work that meets “the highest standard of research excellence.” To date, 12 studies have received Wilson Awards with more expected as the programme expands.

Department of Communications (DOC)

University of The Bahamas

2^nd Floor, Michael H. Eldon Complex

Oakes Field Campus, University Drive

P.O. Box N-4912

Nassau, The Bahamas

Tel: (242).302.4355/4365/4354

Chartered on 10th November 2016, University of The Bahamas (UB) is a beacon for national transformation. Approximately 5,000 students are enrolled in the University of The Bahamas system which includes campuses and centres on New Providence, Grand Bahama, San Salvador and Abaco, as well as UB online education. UB’s diverse academic programmes, research engagements, athletics and leadership development experiences equip our students to become global citizens in a dynamic world. For more information, visit www.ub.edu.bs.