Winner. Scientist of the Year 2025

Raymond Compton Jagessar

Academic title, degree: Professor, Ph.D. in Chemistry
Fields of science: Chemistry, Biology, Medicine
Research interest: Supramolecular Chemistry, Synthetic Organic and Inorganic Chemistry, Natural antimicrobials, Renewable energy, Environmental water monitoring
Career Development: Senior
Organization: University of Guyana
Position: Professor in Chemistry
City: Georgetown
Country: Guyana

Professor Raymond Compton Jagessar, PhD, stands among the most accomplished Caribbean scientists of his generation — a chemist, educator, and innovator whose interdisciplinary research unites chemistry, biology, medicine, and environmental science. As Professor of Chemistry at the University of Guyana, he has dedicated his career to advancing scientific discovery that responds directly to the needs of society: sustainable innovation, health improvement, and environmental protection.

Professor Jagessar earned his Bachelor of Science in Chemistry (Distinction), with a Minor in Biology, from the University of Guyana in 1991, where his academic excellence earned him early recognition. He pursued graduate research at the University of Oxford, United Kingdom, completing his Doctor of Philosophy in Chemistry in 1995. His thesis, “Anion Recognition by Novel Functionalised Porphyrins,” broke new ground in supramolecular chemistry, introducing original receptor designs for selective ion binding — a complex challenge in coordination chemistry that became a reference point in the field.

Following his doctorate, Professor Jagessar expanded his expertise through three prestigious Postdoctoral Fellowships at leading international institutions:

• Wichita State University (USA) – where he synthesized the first series of neutral urea-based “picket-fence” porphyrin receptors, achieving unprecedented selectivity for chloride ions;

• University of South Carolina (USA) – where he contributed to early developments in molecular electronics, synthesizing porphyrin-based molecular wires used in nanoscale devices;

• University of the West Indies (Barbados) – where he advanced natural products chemistry, exploring bioactive compounds from tropical flora.

Since returning to the University of Guyana, Professor Jagessar has built a prolific and wide-ranging research portfolio that integrates fundamental chemical innovation with practical application. His work addresses some of the most pressing challenges facing developing nations — including drug resistance, diabetes, renewable energy, and water safety.

In nanotechnology, he has explored nanocarriers, nanosensors, and nanomaterials that contribute to material science, diagnostics, and sustainable technologies. In biomedical chemistry, his studies on plant-derived antimicrobials and antidiabetic agents have led to the discovery of several novel bioactive compounds from Guyanese and Caribbean plants. His research group has conducted extensive phytochemical screening and assays of antimicrobial, antioxidant, and hypoglycemic activity, resulting in dozens of publications in international journals between 2019 and 2025.

Professor Jagessar’s sustained work on natural therapeutics culminated in the Guyana Innovation Prize (2021) for his development and commercialization of a natural antimicrobial rub, a pioneering product derived from indigenous plant extracts. This achievement not only demonstrated the global potential of Guyana’s biodiversity but also the feasibility of translating academic research into national innovation and commercial value.

His commitment to environmental stewardship is reflected in extensive research on surface and domestic water quality across coastal Guyana, involving the detection of metal ions, nitrates, phosphates, and other contaminants, and testing natural adsorbents for pollutant removal. In parallel, his renewable energy research focuses on bioethanol production from agricultural waste such as mango and plantain peels — a contribution to the nation’s sustainable energy strategy.

In addition to his scientific endeavors, Professor Jagessar is a dedicated educator and mentor. He earned a Diploma in Education (Higher Education) with Distinction in 2022, complementing his scientific expertise with pedagogical excellence. As a conference speaker and peer reviewer, he has participated in over one hundred international scientific meetings, representing Guyana’s academic community and strengthening scientific collaboration across the Caribbean. His mentorship of students and young researchers continues to foster a new generation of scientists inspired by his example of intellectual rigor and national service.

Professor Jagessar’s professional life reflects the rare combination of deep theoretical insight, experimental precision, and practical application — qualities that define a true leader in contemporary science.

In recent years, Professor Raymond C. Jagessar has directed several high-impact research initiatives that exemplify scientific innovation aligned with human and environmental well-being. His recent publications reveal an impressive range of active projects in nanotechnology, natural therapeutics, renewable energy, and environmental chemistry.

• Nanotechnology and Materials Chemistry: His 2025–2024 papers, including “Nanocarriers” (2025), “Nanosensors in Contemporary Sciences” (2024), and “Nanotechnology: Advancing Material Science and Medicine” (2024), present new conceptual frameworks for nanomaterials in drug delivery and diagnostics, positioning his group at the forefront of applied nanoscience in the Caribbean region.

• Natural Antimicrobials and Bioactive Compounds: Between 2019 and 2025, he published a series of influential studies on the antimicrobial properties of plants such as Momordica charantia, Basella alba, and Apium graveolens. His research demonstrated the efficacy of plant-derived compounds against bacterial and fungal pathogens and proposed their integration into herbal medicine and pharmaceutical formulations. The Guyana Innovation Prize (2021) recognized the commercial application of this work through the creation of a natural antimicrobial topical formulation.

• Antioxidant and Anticancer Agents: His 2025 study, “Antioxidant Activity of Morin Hydrate and Catechin Hydrate: Potential Anticancer Agents,” explores the role of polyphenolic compounds in combating oxidative stress and cancer cell proliferation, linking chemistry directly to preventive medicine.

• Renewable Energy and Environmental Chemistry: Recent publications, such as “The Fermentation of Sugar Beet in Boiled and Unboiled State” (2025) and “Status of Surface Water from Selected Areas of Coastal Guyana and Removal of Toxic Contaminants Using a Suitable Natural Adsorbent” (2021), demonstrate his practical approach to bioethanol production and sustainable water management using natural remediation techniques.

Professor Jagessar’s earlier contributions to supramolecular chemistry and anion recognition remain widely cited internationally. His work on urea-functionalized porphyrin receptors and molecular wires published in Chemical Communications (1997), Journal of the American Chemical Society (1998), and Chemistry – A European Journal (2001) laid a strong foundation for modern research in molecular sensing and nanomaterials. These studies continue to influence researchers in both chemistry and materials science, ensuring his legacy within the global scientific community.

Professor Raymond Compton Jagessar exemplifies the modern scientist: innovative, interdisciplinary, and driven by the pursuit of practical solutions to scientific and societal challenges. His sustained publication record, his translation of research into tangible innovation, and his contribution to national scientific capacity-building affirm his well-deserved recognition.