Interview with Dr. Shirin Haque, Astronomer and National Outreach Coordinator (IAU) University of the West Indies, Dept of Physics, St Augustine, Trinidad & Tobago

Abstract

Dr Shirin Haque was born in the village of Patna, India and came to Trinidad at the age of seven without being able to speak English and having no formal education. Dr Haque has pioneered the cutting-edge field of Astrobiology at the University of the West Indies and was interviewed by the BBC for a feature Science in Action for the research on the Pitch Lake, the largest natural hydrocarbon lake in the world. She is the founding member of CARINA (Caribbean Institute of Astronomy) and the founder/CEO of W.I.S.H. (Women In Science for Hope) Foundation. She holds numerous teaching and research awards regionally and internationally. She has also distinguished herself as a film producer with three science documentaries. She has hosted and produced two television series “Exploring our place in the Universe with Dr. Shirin Haque” and “Full S-T-E-A-M Ahead!” She is currently the editor of the magazine “The Intellectual – Art, Science and Architecture”. Her Honours and Awards corresponds to: • Anthony N. Sabga Caribbean Awards for Excellence in Science and Technology 2020• CARICOM Science Award 2018 – first female recipient• Outstanding women of UWI Award – 2018 • Rudranath Capildeo Award for Applied Science and Technology - 2013• “Women in Science and Technology” medal award from NIHERST - 2011• Vice Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Teaching 2005 - UWI• Distinguished Teacher award from Association of Atlantic Universities - 2004• UWI/ Guardian Life premium teaching award - 2002• “The Most Outstanding Thesis Award, 1997 and 1998” UWI (PhD)• Program Director for the NINE hub programme for the Caribbean through for the National Science foundation and NRAO.