A Jamaican Science Icon, Professor Emeritus, the Honourable Gerald Lalor was a pioneering geo-chemist, best known for the establishment of the International Centre for Environmental and Nuclear Science. He was born in Kingston and attended Kingston College before entering the UWI, then the University College of the West Indies 1953). His B.Sc. was in chemistry but he also studied mathematics and physics. Soon after completing his studies at the Mona Campus, he began working with the world’s leading producer of logwood dyes at the time (West Indies Chemical Works). While with the company, he did his Masters research on haemotoxylin and hematein (substances extracted from the logwood for the dyes). Later, when the logwood tree became endangered, he found a new method to produce synthetic haemotoxylin. In 1960 he returned to The UWI as an Assistant Lecturer and did inorganic chemistry research for this Ph.D. thesis. After further post-graduate studies in the UK and USA, he returned to The UWI as Professor of Chemistry in 1969 and was Head of the Chemistry Department from 1969 to 1972 – the first West Indian to serve in this position. Whilst he served The UWI, Mona as Pro Vice-Chancellor from 1974 and Principal (1991 – 1996) he is best known for the establishment of the Centre for Nuclear Sciences in 1984 with the first and only Nuclear Research Reactor (SLOWPOKE-2) in the English-speaking Caribbean. During his tenure as Principal, he was responsible for leading the establishing of the Biotechnology Centre, computerization of the campus and improving accessibility for the physically challenged. Upon retiring from his position as Principal, Professor Lalor spearheaded the formation of the International Centre for Environmental and Nuclear Sciences (ICENS) in 1997. A pioneering geochemist, Lalor led a research team from ICENS in the preparation of a geochemical map of the elements in Jamaican soils. The map identifies some of the major and micro elements in Jamaican soils and uncovered elements previously not known to be present. It assists with the identification of contaminated land and provides important information for government planning agencies. Of note was his team’s discovery of lead in the soil in the St Andrew community of Kintyre the source of which was isolated and lead poisoning in children treated and prevented. For his seminal contribution to science and technology, Professor Lalor was conferred with the Order of Jamaica and the Musgrave Gold Medal amongst others. He was later conferred with the Order of Merit for his contribution to Jamaica and the world’s development through the application of Science, Technology and Innovation and his service in the private sector.