Historical Background

The Pesticide Research Laboratory (PRL) is located on the Mona Campus of The University of the West Indies (UWI), where it operates as an independent entity within the Department of Chemistry. It was established in 1995 through a research grant from the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) by the then head of the department Professor Tara Prasad Dasgupta. The original mandate was to: 1) carry out research on modern aspects of pesticide science through the participation of graduate and post-doctoral students, 2) assist governmental and non-governmental organizations in monitoring pesticide levels in agricultural products and organic pollutants in the environment and 3) develop human expertise in analytical chemistry.

Mission Statement

The Pesticide Research Laboratory (PRL) is committed to providing excellent analytical services related specifically to pesticide residue determination in agricultural and environmental samples to the Caribbean region in order to facilitate exportation of agricultural produce, and to help governmental and non-governmental bodies to monitor environmental pollution in order to protect human health. The laboratory is also dedicated to carrying out high level research activities on pesticide chemistry and to produce highly trained graduate students who would provide leadership in the agricultural sector.