Current Work: My current thesis project entails assessing the interactions at a physiological level of Helicobacter pylori with its host. H. pylori, a spiral-shaped, motile bacterium, colonizes the stomach epithelia where it adheres to epithelia cells. This intimate contact not only promotes large populations of H. pylori due to reduced washout of the bacteria but also implies some physiological variations in the epithelial environment. In an attempt to ascertain how H. pylori alters the gastro-physiological environment to favor its persistence, I am currently developing a virtual gastric model system to which I intend to introduce H. pylori. Through observing the dynamical changes that occur during variation of parameters involved in developing the model, it may be possible to identify key host elements targeted by the bacteria so as to allow persistence. These key host elements could be potential targets for interventive procedures leading to the eradication of H. pylori. Education: I graduated from St. Joseph Academy, a parochial high school on the beautiful island of Antigua, in 1989. After a rigorous three-year stint at the University of Virgin Islands, I successfully completed my bachelor's degree in Biology. At present, I am working on my PhD in Microbiology and Immunology. Personal: I was born on the island of St. Vincent in the Caribbean, however, since then, I have been fortunate to have lived on many of the jewels of the Caribbean. I also lived in St. Thomas, Anguilla, Dominica and Antigua, which I call home. So there should be no surprise when I say that one of my favorite things is traveling. One of my aspirations is to obtain my pilot license. Besides traveling and exploring new cultures, badminton captures my attention at present. There is nothing like smacking a shuttlecock at your opponent at speeds rivaling 90 mph. Otherwise, I am at home working on computers, surfing the worldwide web or reading about astronomical phenomena.