The University of the West Indies (The UWI) has announced the appointment of
Dr. Branson D. Belle as the Executive Director of the Centre for Excellence for
Oceanography and the Blue Economy at The UWI Five Islands Campus in Antigua
and Barbuda.
The Centre aims to advance research and training in oceanography and sustainable
maritime industries, contributing to the development of the blue economy in the
Caribbean region.
Dr. Belle, an Antiguan national, brings over 20 years of experience in cutting-edge
technology development from renowned universities and research institutes. He
obtained his Ph.D. in Magnetic Materials from the University of Manchester
(UoM), where he also earned a Master’s degree in Electronic and Electrical
Engineering with First Class Honours, and spent a year at ENSEEIHT in Toulouse,
France. He was awarded the F.C. Williams (2000), IEEE (2001) and the Sir
William Siemen (2003) awards for most outstanding academic achievements in his
years at UoM. Belle then obtained an Overseas Research Scholarship award to
pursue his PhD in Magnetic Materials at UoM.
After his Ph.D., Dr. Belle worked as a Research Associate with Nobel Prize
winners Professor Sir Andre Geim and Professor Sir Kostya Novoselov. He co-
founded 2-DTech Ltd, a materials and technology company later acquired by
Versarien PLC. For the past nine years, Dr. Belle has been a senior scientist at
SINTEF, one of Europe’s largest research institutes, working in the departments of
Smart Sensor Systems and Sustainable Energy Technology. He has published over
30 peer-reviewed papers in prestigious journals and secured over $7 million in
grant funding.
“I am thrilled to be joining UWI FIC,” said Dr. Belle. :”After more than 25 years
abroad studying and working with some of the world’s leading scientists and
companies, I look forward to bringing this experience back to Antigua and
Barbuda to further assist in the build out of the campus and nation building.”
Pro Vice-Chancellor and Campus Principal Professor Justin Robinson noted that
the addition of Dr. Belle to the CoBE will be a significant boost to The UWI Five
Islands Campus. “The UWI Five Islands Campus is fortunate to be able to attract a
scholar of Dr. Belle’s global stature at such an early stage in its development.”. He
also noted that “Dr. Belle, a distinguished son of the soil will lead the charge as the
campus builds out a vibrant research culture.”
Dr. Belle’s appointment becomes effective August 1, 2024.
