Years ago, Resa Nelson became interested in becoming a Rhodes Scholar after joining the Antigua & Barbuda Youth Symphony Orchestra, where she got to know that the founder of the orchestra was Antigua’s only Rhodes Scholar.
Then, while touring with the orchestra in the UK, Nelson, who was first chair flutist, performed with the group at Oxford University’s Christ Church. Learning about the institution’s connections with slavery and colonialism further pushed Nelson’s vision.
“If the labor of my forefathers and foremothers helped build that institution,” she reflected, “it would be really meaningful for me to learn there.”
Today, Nelson is Hofstra University’s first-ever Rhodes Scholar. The Rhodes Trust, which administers the Rhodes Scholar program, awards recipients with two years of postgraduate study at the University of Oxford. This year, 106 students were chosen, from around the world, for the prestigious academic honor.
Hofstra said 21-year-old Nelson, a biology major in the class of 2026, was selected from among nine finalists representing the Commonwealth Caribbean, which includes Anguilla, Antigua, The Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, the British Virgin Islands, the Cayman Islands, Dominica, Grenada, Guyana, Montserrat, St Lucia, St. Kitts and Nevis, St. Vincent, Trinidad and Tobago, and the Turks and Caicos Islands.
She is the second Rhodes Scholar to be selected from Antigua.
“I am absolutely delighted that Hofstra has its first Rhodes Scholar, and I congratulate Resa Nelson on this momentous achievement,” said Hofstra University President Susan Poser. “Identifying and supporting students for national and international prestige awards is one of the implementation steps of Hofstra 100, the university’s new strategic plan, and I thank Provost Charlie Riordan and Associate Provost for Academic Support and Global Initiatives Suzanne Pike, for their work in supporting students in pursuit of these awards.”
Nelson, who is from the parish of St. Peter, Antigua, came to Hofstra intending to go to medical school as she wanted to be a doctor. But once she started doing research, she realized that she loved the act of discovery, the process of asking questions, and finding answers.
Since then, the biology major, under the guidance of Hofstra Biology Professor Javier Izquierdo, has been working on transforming seaweed from her native Antigua and other Caribbean countries into sustainable biofuel.
“Hofstra has given me the technical skills and mental fortitude to pursue the work I want to do in the world—and the research I hope to continue beyond Hofstra,” said Nelson, who spent 10 weeks this past summer at the University of California, Irvine, exploring how glycosylation genes affect brain function.
“Resa is an outstanding student, but even more important is that she’s an outstanding person,” Dr. Izquierdo said of the history-maker. “She’s not just academically strong. She also has done a lot of service and a lot of important things for the Hofstra community. All of that comes together in the package that is Resa, and that is what made her a fantastic candidate for the Rhodes.”
Indeed, besides her academics, Nelson volunteers at a local middle school, tutoring students and advocating for those who need extra help. “Education for kids is something I’m passionate about,” she said. “I know what it’s like to grow up where your options feel limited. Having someone believe in you can make all the difference.”
Dr. Izquierdo is optimistic that the Rhodes Scholarship is just the start of what Nelson will achieve in the future.
“I would not be surprised if we’re talking about Resa becoming not only a Rhodes Scholar, but the president of a corporation or a Nobel Prize winner at some point,” he said. “She’s someone who is dedicated to doing positive things for our world.”
While at Oxford, Nelson will continue her work as a graduate student. This is her 10-year plan.
“I see myself developing the first Afro-Caribbean stem cell line, that’s my big dream that we can take a stem cell and turn it into anything and then that can be used as a diagnostic tool,” Nelson was quoted by ABC7 News.
