Bermudian scientist Dr. Carika Weldon is reshaping the future of healthcare in the Caribbean.
Weldon is the founder and CEO of CariGenetics, the first female-led genomics company in the region, and has led efforts to ensure precision medicine is accessible to Caribbean communities and the diaspora.
“The genetic diversity of the Caribbean is a treasure trove of information,” Dr. Weldon said to ESSENCE in an interview. “Our goal with CariGenetics is to understand how our unique genetic makeup influences health outcomes and to use that knowledge to improve the well-being of Caribbean communities.”
RELATED STORIES
The first female-led genomics company in the region was established in 2022, and it has since focused on addressing critical health issues which include breast and prostate cancer and sickle cell disease.
CariGenetics’ flagship project, the Caribbean Breast Cancer Whole Genome Pilot Study, went on to mark many milestones: recruiting 102 participants, sequencing their genomes locally, analyzing the data, and identifying new genetic trends that are linked to breast cancer.
READ ALSO: Mother who saw little girl’s viral meltdown at Walmart says child is no ‘spoilt brat’
To Weldon, the aim of this groundbreaking research is to reduce the region’s high cancer mortality rates through targeted, personalized treatments.
“Precision medicine focuses on understanding the individual’s specific needs, which allows us to save time, optimize resources, and address problems more quickly,” Dr. Weldon said. “This not only leads to better patient outcomes but translates into cost savings for the healthcare system.”
Dr. Weldon’s journey into genetics was inspired by Iceland’s pioneering population genetics initiatives.
When she studied in the UK, where she earned a PhD in biochemistry, she questioned why similar research had not been conducted in Bermuda or the wider Caribbean.
“We are genetically diverse and could provide unique insights,” she said.
Her determination to bring cutting-edge research to the region deepened as the COVID-19 pandemic hit the world.
As Bermuda’s Science Advisor to the Premier and Laboratory Director of the government’s COVID-19 lab, Dr. Weldon observed the major gaps in scientific infrastructure and began to pursue ways to bridge that gap.
“With the pandemic, I realized we needed more scientists and genetic research in the Caribbean,” she said. “We were so far behind that we had to send samples to a single lab in Trinidad for the entire region.”
Dr. Weldon also seeks to address the lack of trust between Black communities and the medical field, which she believes has contributed to historical injustices.
The Bermudian scientist made reference to the infamous Tuskegee syphilis study, where Black men were denied treatment and the unauthorized use of Henrietta Lacks’ cells. “The history of misuse has created a lack of trust,” she said. “If we had more Black scientists and doctors, we could have prevented such injustices.”
CariGenetics is actively working to change that narrative by empowering local scientists and ensuring ethical research practices.
One innovative approach is using bio-NFTs, which are non-fungible tokens to give participants ownership of their genetic data and allow them to control and monetize their information.
Looking ahead, Dr. Weldon is planning to expand CariGenetics’ research into prostate cancer and extend efforts to other Caribbean nations, including Trinidad and Tobago, Jamaica, and St. Lucia.
The Bermudian scientist aims to identify genetic markers unique to the region and enable earlier diagnoses and also ensure that there are more precise treatments.
“Genetic research can help us move away from a one-size-fits-all approach to medicine, but we must also engage and build trust in our communities,” she said.
READ ALSO: Influencer Dominique Brown dies aged 34 after shock allergic reaction at event
Through her leadership at CariGenetics, Weldon has created a blueprint for inclusive and transformative healthcare in the Caribbean, and it can only get better by the day with her immense efforts.
