Dr. Akeisha Belgrave Receives Professional Achievement Award from Consulate General of Barbados

HARRISBURG, PA – Harrisburg University of Science and Technology (HU) is thrilled to congratulate Akeisha Belgrave, Ph.D., Associate Professor of Applied Math and Biological Sciences, on being named a 2024 Independence Day Honour Awardee by the Consulate General of Barbados.

The Barbados Independence Day Honours is an annual event that recognizes individuals for their significant contributions to the nation, and coincides with Barbados Independence Day, celebrated on November 30 each year. Barbados Independence Day 2024 marked the third anniversary of Barbados becoming a parliamentary republic and the 58th anniversary of its 1966 declaration of independence.

“Congratulations to all of our individual Independence Awardees!” wrote Lorenzo Harewood, Barbados Consul General in New York, in a LinkedIn post. “They came from New York, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, and Illinois.”

Dr. Belgrave earned an associate degree in Biology, Physics, and Mathematics at Barbados Community College, a bachelor’s in Optical Engineering at Norfolk State University, and a Ph.D. in Biomedical Sciences at the University of Connecticut. Following her doctorate, she pursued postdoctoral research in the Shaevitz Biophysics Lab at Princeton University. In 2024, she was promoted to Associate Professor at Harrisburg University: a title well-earned after seven years of exemplary service.

“I am so very happy to be named among the Awardees!” said Dr. Belgrave. “Thank you to the Barbados Consulate – especially Consul General Lorenzo Harewood – for the recognition.”

Dr. Belgrave shared this Independence Day message for her fellow Bajans to mark the occasion:

“Warm greetings to the Barbados diaspora, both on the island and around the world! Today we honor our rich history, cultural heritage, and resilience of our people. Independence is a time for reflection on our journey and achievements that define our nation. As a proud Bajan, I cherish the traditions and values instilled in me by our people, which have shaped who I am today. Our diaspora carries a piece of Barbados wherever we go, and the spirit of unity among us fosters a deep connection with our homeland. Let us continue to support our people, near and far, and foster unity as we build a brighter future together. Happy Independence Day, Barbados!”

Throughout her academic career, Dr. Belgrave has engaged in advanced research, starting with her work at the Center for Materials Research at Norfolk State University in partnership with Cornell University and Purdue University. Dr. Belgrave’s research focuses on bacterial motility, shape, growth, and biofilm formation, including her current efforts to use bacteria to remediate mining waste from affected Pennsylvania streams. Pennsylvania has long had an acid mine drainage problem due to the strong presence of coal and metal mining activities in the region. Until now, there were no serious efforts underway to remedy the situation – much less to do it using a prolific and widely available microorganism.

Dr. Belgrave is also the genesis for the Harrisburg University Student Research Symposium, having worked with others, like Rebekah Harriger in Career Services and Experiential Learning, to build it from the ground up – and says it’s the project she’s most proud of since coming aboard at HU. “Some schools are focused on papers and grants. At HU, our main goal regarding research is to teach students how to conduct research in a practical setting. We’re not bothered by failure, either! I want students to know how to pursue a result – not necessarily to find the result they were expecting.”

Student empowerment and success is the touchstone to which Dr. Belgrave continually returns. “We’re building a strong STEM workforce and new generations of curious, science-minded citizens. HU’s commitment to bringing science into underserved communities is one of the reasons I love being here. We have a diverse population and students from all over. This is my story too; I was born in Barbados.”

Dr. Belgrave initially came to the US for her undergrad, staying for her doctorate. “I know it can be hard to attend college in an unfamiliar place, which is why I try to help our students get acclimated and build their confidence however I can. Students find me easy to talk to, and not just about school. I’m always trying to do something to help the students, whether it’s skills or even something not school related. If I can help just one person feel more confident, if I can change their life, or try, I’m going to.”

Harrisburg University congratulates Dr. Belgrave on this well-deserved Professional Achievement Award, and we thank her for her ongoing commitment to our students and the HU community.

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