Dr. Simone Badal, Senior Lecturer in the Department of Basic Medical Sciences has once again done The University of the West Indies, Mona proud. Dr. Badal has been awarded one of the Caribbean’s most prestigious awards, the Anthony N. Sabga Awards for Caribbean Excellence, for her pioneering contributions to the field of Science and Technology. Dr. Badal’s paradigm-shifting research in cancer treatment, specifically the development of Caribbean cancer cell lines, has significantly advanced treatment options for breast and prostate cancer in populations of African descent globally.

Dr. Badal was honoured for her historic achievement in 2022, when she created ACRJ-PC28, the first-ever Caribbean prostate cancer cell line. This vital breakthrough addresses a critical gap in cancer research - existing models predominantly represented Caucasian populations which limits treatment efficacy for diverse ethnic groups. Through her work, Dr. Badal has expanded cancer research to be more inclusive, paving the way for tailored treatments that can be used by people of mixed and/or African descent regionally and across the globe.

This significant recognition comes as part of the 2025 Anthony N. Sabga Awards for Caribbean Excellence, which has celebrated the exceptional work of Caribbean nationals in various fields since 2005. Dr. Badal was one of four laureates named in this year’s awards, which were announced at a ceremony in Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago, earlier today. Alongside Dr. Badal, the other recipients include a human rights activist from Guyana, a jazz trumpeter and an E-commerce/Agri-entrepreneur both from Trinidad and Tobago. Each laureate will be awarded TT$500,000 at a gala ceremony in Port of Spain on June 7, 2025.

Dr. Badal’s recognition not only highlights her outstanding academic and research contributions but also underscores the ongoing excellence of The UWI Mona’s academic staff and community. As a Senior Lecturer in the Department of Basic Medical Sciences, Dr. Badal is dedicated to advancing medical science directly through her research and indirectly by moulding the next generation of researchers from the Caribbean. Dr. Badal has published over 45 peer-reviewed papers. Her research on screening natural and synthetic compounds for anti-cancer properties has expanded across The UWI's landed campuses; fostering pan-Caribbean collaboration.
Cumulatively, her innovative work has attracted over US$1 Million in funding, including the prestigious US$520,000 NIH Fogarty International Center's Emerging Global Leader Award in 2020. She has secured additional grants from organizations like the Chan-Zuckerberg Initiative and Pfizer to advance inclusive cancer research.

Dr. Badal’s memoir, "No Cell Left Behind" was published in 2023 highlighting the arduous but rewarding journey in developing the cell lines. She also founded the ACRJ Foundation, an anti-cancer research foundation which has raised over 1.5 Million JMD for educational opportunities. She was selected for the 2024 Springer Nature and Breast Cancer Research Foundation Rising Scholars Program, received the 2022 Flair Distinguished Award for Science & Technology, and was recognized as a pioneer by Jamaica's Scientific Research Council among her long list of noteworthy achievements.

The University of the West Indies extends its warmest congratulations to Dr. Badal on this outstanding achievement and continues to support her in her dedicated mission to drive transformative advancements in the field of cancer research.