Mr. Watson first attended the Gibraltar Elementary School (renamed Gibraltar All Age School) and then Mico Teachers’ College. Upon graduating from Mico, he taught at Wolmer’s Boys’ School for a year before entering The UWI on a teachers’ bursary to pursue a degree in the sciences. He holds the distinction of being the first male graduate to be awarded a First Class Honours Degree in Chemistry and Applied Chemistry (a double major). During his postgraduate research for the MSc Degree, he became a pioneer researcher in Jamaican ganja, isolating five compounds, one of which (cannabitriol or CBT) is now used by scientists worldwide to classify the typical compounds found in ganja.
In the world of work, he lectured at the College of Arts Science and Technology (CAST) – now the University of Technology, where among other things he was mainly responsible for conceptualising, designing and implementing the course in Chemical Technology. Moving on from CAST, he ventured into the industrial sphere where he held positions of production manager (manufacturing), plant manager, operations manager and finally acting executive director of the Scientific Research Council where he founded The Inventors/Innovators Association. This association became the foundation for The Minister’s Innovation Awards which morphed into The National Innovation Awards. He was integral to both transformations.
During his outstanding career, he represented the Government of Jamaica and the Scientific Community at various scientific forums. In this regard, he addressed forums of the United Nations and other international, regional and local institutions. Mr. Watson is the recipient of several awards including the Musgrave Medal for merit in the field of science in 2021.
Mr. Hawthorne Watson
Science Leader
Created by Fiwi Admin Team
Chemistry
Retired/Consultant
Jamaica
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