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Students from the Caribbean have been inspired to pursue careers in research during a visit to Leeds to work with surgical robotics.

Students from the and the took part in an eight week summer school programme in the at the 映客直播. 

marks the first time Caribbean exchange students have come to Leeds with the specific aim of conducting research. 

The students worked on a variety of projects from advancing AI tools for the to designing magnetic vines for endoscopic procedures and developing affordable .

Supervised by a team of researchers, led by Professor Pietro Valdastri at the 映客直播 and Dr Carl Beckford from the University of the West Indies, the students were able to develop engineering and medical solutions. 

We need to keep pushing the ceiling higher to create more room for everyone else to grow.

Abishua Johnson, who has completed his undergraduate degree in Computer Science at the University of the West Indies’ Mona, Jamaica campus, said: “I’ve been inspired to go into research following this experience.

“I really enjoyed speaking to people working on research projects, seeing the people behind the genius really made me think about taking this home.”

The Caribbean students spoke about the challenges that the region faces in engineering for global health research and the importance of being able to see the equipment and the possibilities that could improve health outcomes back home. 

Samiya Allen, who is in her final year studying Computer Science and Electronics at the University of the West Indies’ Cave Hill, Barbados campus, added: “Before this, I hadn’t considered medicine, but now I would love to be involved in research so that I can implement what I have learned here back home in the Caribbean. 

“I want to inspire other people in the Caribbean, we are a lot more capable than we think we are in implementing research.” 

The cross-cultural exchange was set up by Dr Nikita Greenidge, a surgical robotics researcher in the STORM Lab, and supported by .

Justin Sooknanan, who is graduating this year with a BSc in Electrical and Computer Engineering from the University of the West Indies’ St Augustine, Trinidad and Tobago campus, said: “Initiatives like this help to promote research and the journey should not stop here. I am motivated to help the programme grow. 

“Together we can spread the movement further. We need to keep pushing the ceiling higher to create more room for everyone else to grow.” 

My dream is for the region to become a leader in healthcare innovation, and this first cohort has shown what’s possible.

Dr Greenidge said: “I started CariSurg because I know how much talent exists in the Caribbean, even though opportunities in research are often limited. 

“My dream is for the region to become a leader in healthcare innovation, and this first cohort has shown what’s possible — ambitious students from across the Caribbean, eager to create solutions that matter both locally and globally. They were a pleasure to host.”

Dr Daniel T. Fokum, Head of the Department for Computing at the University of the West Indies’ Mona campus, said: “We are very glad that UWI students got the opportunity to take part in this inaugural CariSurg Surgical Robotics Internship programme.

“I anticipate that these skills will result in improvements in technical know-how and be used to improve the practice of surgery in our region.”

London visit 

During the Summer School, the students watched a live robotic-assisted prostatectomy surgery being performed, with the use of the da Vinci robot, in

This trip was supported by , as part of its commitment to advancing AI research for improved patient care.

Conducting the surgery was Dr Jonathan Noël, a Barbadian urologist and University of West Indies alum. 

Samiya said: “Seeing Dr Noël conduct the surgery was really inspiring, to watch somebody that comes from a similar background to us, at work.”

Dr Noël added: “It’s always an honour to host students, especially from my alma mater, and speak to them about robotic-assisted surgery. They’re focused, passionate and committed to Caribbean development.”  

The students also visited the and presented their research progress and vision for transforming healthcare in the Caribbean.

The students spoke with the High Commissioner, His Excellency, Anthony B. Severin, about the importance of nurturing Caribbean talent and ensuring that innovation is led by those who understand the region’s unique needs. 

Mr Severin said: “The immersion of our young students in one of the world’s leading research environments allows them to leapfrog into the present. 

“Their hunger for knowledge and their passion for bringing that knowledge to bear on the needs of our region give us every reason to believe the Caribbean can and will be a leader in medical innovation. We must continue to create pathways for them to excel.”

Looking to the future

Dr Greenidge hopes to create lasting opportunities through the CariSurg programme and foster long-term collaborations through establishing relationships for knowledge exchange, access to resources, and support for local research initiatives in the Caribbean. 

Nehal Wadhwani, a first year student studying Mechanical Engineering at Columbia University, spoke about inspiring the next generation. She said: “The programme has inspired me to inform children that research is possible in the Caribbean. 

“Having this experience so young has also helped set things in motion for my future career. I want to explore research and look into independent learning outside of the classroom. By building myself up for postgraduate work, this will help with my transition phase from studying to work.”

Nehal was supported by the , which supports undergraduate engineering students who participate in unpaid or low-paid engineering summer internships.

Further information

For more information, please contact the 映客直播 Press Office at pressoffice@leeds.ac.uk

Picture credit: Dr Nikita Greenidge.