Adrian Allen - Contributed

Barbara Nelson, Freelance Writer

Adrian Allen received his M.Sc. in cell and molecular biology at Howard University in 2006 and is now moving towards his goal of obtaining his Ph.D. in 2009.

Adrian's objective is "to provide selfless service to humanity in the fields of biotechnology, forensic science and education".

The road to making his dreams reality has not been an easy one for him, but his optimism, dedication and strong faith in God have taken him thus far.

Prior to entering Howard University, the historically black university established in 1867, in Washington, D.C., Adrian attended the Northern Caribbean University (NCU) in Mandeville.

"NCU was a new experience for me. It was my first time in an institution of higher learning and at first I had to live on campus and work and study," he said.

Later, however, when he lived off-campus, he was more comfortable. The "work-and-study" arrangement at NCU was a learning experience for him because he does the very same thing at Howard University today.

"I've got used to working and studying. I am more confident of myself now. It is really no big deal now," he said.

He received an Organisation of American States (OAS) Fellowship in 2003, the same year he entered Howard, and he still worked.

Educated at Mount Grace All-Age School (near to Frome) in Westmoreland, he went on to Manning's School from 1989 to 1994. There he passed subjects at GCE A/O level and at CXC and worked as a laboratory technician at Manning's before going on to Grace Food Processors Ltd. in Sav-la-Mar, also as a lab technician.

Next Assignment

When he went on to study at NCU, he worked as curator in the Department of Biology and then as a lab instructor and pre-college science teacher there.

His next assignment, on graduation, was as a census taker with Statistical Institute of Jamaica. Then he went on to teaching science at St. Paul of the Cross High School and at Belair School, both in Mandeville.

In fact, he does have a penchant for teaching and looks forward to teaching science to students in Jamaica at some time in the future.

But before he returns to Jamaica he has to complete his studies at Howard University. His focus is on replacing the widely used non-biodegradable plastics (that cause so many health and environmental problems) with disposable materials that can break down and not clog the environment. And he still works.

In the summer of 2004 he was an administrative aide and, from September 2003 to 2006, a lab/teacher assistant in comprehensive sciences at the university.

Since August 2006 he has had the position of graduate teaching assistant at Howard.

Adrian is passionate about the need for greater emphasis on scientific research in Jamaica and says he will push for more money to be invested in science and scientific research in Jamaica.