The Office of Research and Innovation (ORI) at USC is at the forefront of advancing our research initiatives. We support faculty, students, and researchers in building research skills, managing campus research policies, and overseeing internal and external research projects. We also assist in securing external funding, foster partnerships with various communities, and promote the dissemination of research benefits.
Vision
To build a dynamic research culture in the region and worldwide.
Mission
To serve the community by providing an environment for excellence in scientific and innovative research endeavours and academic/creative scholarship
Goals
- To develop a strong community of scholarly researchers.
- To foster innovative research strategies and applications in various disciplines across the
- University of the Southern Caribbean.
- To encourage innovative scholarship that transforms the intellectual capacity of the university community into extraordinary scholars and servants of God.
- To disseminate innovative knowledge and scholarship locally, regionally, and internationally.
Our services include
- Grant-Writing: Connect with funding agencies, develop grant proposals, and facilitate publication.
- USC Institutional Review Board (IRB): Approve research projects within the USC community and the local region.
- Training Sessions: Enhance research skills through training on literature review, research design, data analysis, report writing, presentation techniques, ethics, and integrity.
- Publication: Publish research in the USC Journal of Research, a peer-reviewed scholarly journal.
- Networking and Collaboration: Collaborate with local, regional, and international research institutes and institutions.
- Research Support: Access support through Writing Lab sessions and personalised assistance.
- Innovative Research Forums: Engage in monthly Academic Forums to share groundbreaking research and innovative ideas.
Collaboration
The Office of Research and Innovation at the University of the Southern Caribbean is affiliated with the following:
- Professional Development Institute
- USC Research Association
Department of Research & Innovation Team
Mission
The Department of Research and Innovation (DRI) seeks to foster an attitude of excellence in scholarly inquiry within the community of the University of the Southern Caribbean.
Vision
To be a leading institute in research and innovative scholarship, transforming intellectual capacity of the ordinary to extraordinary servants of God.
Department of Research & Innovation Team
Makeda Thomas
Administrative Assistant
Department of Research and Innovation
University of the Southern Caribbean
Contact Information: Telephone: 662-2241 Ext 1012
Dave V. Cassie [Dr.] (EdD, MPhil)
Assistant Professor, Educational Leadership
Director of Research, Contracts & Grants
Department of Research and Innovation
Contact Information:
Telephone: 662-2241 Ext 1655 Mobile: (868) 689-1522
Meet the Director of Research, Contracts & Grants
Biography
Dr. Dave V. Cassie is an Assistant Professor (Educational Leadership) & Director of Research, Contracts & Grants, Department of Research & Innovation at The University of the Southern Caribbean. He is an academic and research professional who has extensive experience in faculty engagement within higher education. Dr. Cassie has served in leadership and advisory roles that support faculty research, capacity-building, and student engagement, while also organizing academic conferences and facilitating international networking opportunities. His professional focus lies at the intersection of science, technology, health, and education, with a commitment to fostering innovation, collaboration, and ethical responsibility. Guided by honesty as a core value, Dr. Cassie has established a reputation for integrity, transparency, and effective leadership. Dedicated to lifelong learning, mentorship, and research advancement, he continues to play an active role in shaping educational and scholarly initiatives across the wider USC academic community, within Trinidad and Tobago and beyond.
The University of Southern Caribbean Institutional Review Board
About the USC IRB
USC aims to generate research that is not only scientifically sound but conducted with diligence and integrity and in full compliance with internationally established standards of research ethical principles.
The mission of the IRB is to protect the rights, privacy, safety, and dignity of all individuals and communities who participate in USC research activities.
The USC IRB will perform the primary functions of education, review, approval, and monitoring with regard to adherence to established criteria of ethical practices in research.
Members of the USC IRB
Chairperson: Dr. Susan Chand, Dean of the School of Social Sciences
Co-Chairperson: Dr. Dave Cassie, Director of Research and Innovation
Secretary: Makeda Thomas, Administrative Assistant
Dr. Jeremiah Eaton, Assistant Professor, School of Business and Entrepreneurship
Dr. Cyril Marshall, Assistant Professor, School of Theology & Religion
Dr. Terencia Joseph, Associate Professor, School of Education and Humanities
Mrs. Feona Charles, Adjunct Faculty, School of Social Sciences
Research Ethics Training
Every researcher undertaking research involving human subjects must undertake our Research Ethics Training prior to conducting any research study.
Therefore, in collaboration with the Center for Clinical and Translational Science of the University of Illinois, Chicago, The University of the Southern Caribbean is pleased to provide CIRTification Online.
CIRTification Online is a free, web-based human research protections training program tailored specifically to the needs and roles of those within our research community. .
This fully online course introduces learners to the basics of the research – the terminology, people, and methods. It also reviews the historical abuses which have developed current ethical principles, rules, and regulations.
This training program covers covers standards and best practices for
- Recruitment and informed consent
- Collecting and protecting data
- Handling challenges that may arise during participant interactions
- Reviews the role of the institutional review board in protecting the right and safety of research participants
- Includes a dictionary of research terms and a toolbox with resources related to human research protections
You can register here to undertake this course
Steps to Obtaining IRB Approval
- Complete Research Ethics Training – obtain and save soft copy of CIRTification certificate
- Under the guidance of your supervisor, complete the USC IRB Application and include all the relevant documents
- Completed IRB
- Consent Form
- Data Collection Instrument/s
- Sample letters of authorizations/ permissions
- CIRTification Certificate or equivalent
- Sample of poster or flyer for recruiting participants
- Submit the completed application form along with documents to research@usc.edu.tt
- Preliminary feedback would be provided after a two (2) week period.
- Approval letter should be provided within 30 days of submission of application.
DATA COLLECTION CAN ONLY BEGIN AFTER THE DEPARTMENT OF RESEARCH & INNOVATION GIVES NOTICE OF USC IRB APPROVAL.
IRB Form and Consent Form Templates
You can access all the relevant forms for processing of IRB applications here
Click here to access the online IRB form
Research Activities
USC Research Conference
The Annual USC Research Conference seeks to
- Present and discuss Research Findings:
- Foster collaboration:
- Translate research into action:
The Conference is usually held annually, and historically the Research day celebration has been a part of the Charter week celebrations in the month of March to commemorate the anniversary of the conferral of university status upon the beloved institution we know today as USC.
We are providing a platform every year to showcase the work being done by researchers at USC as well as abroad from diverse fields such as public health, social science, and behavioral health, along with policymakers, to explore, discuss, and innovate new approaches.
The USC Research Conference 2025: Lifestyle, Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs), and Innovative Research Methodologies in Health and Well-Being.Booklet is available here.
The USC Research Conference 2024: The Scientific Contribution of Religion/ Spirituality on Health and Well-Being Conference Booklet is available here.
USC Research Webinar/Seminar Series
The USC Research Webinar Series Featuring Faculty & Staff Researchers was created as a platform to highlight and share the diverse research being conducted across the University of the Southern Caribbean.
The series seeks to:
Promote awareness of ongoing research by USC faculty and staff.
Encourage collaboration across disciplines and departments.
Our undergraduate and graduate students can also benefit greatly from this series, as it provides valuable insights to support their preparation for research projects, graduate projects, and thesis defenses.
USC Research Webinar Recordings
Click here for a recording of the USC Webinar Series featuring
Mr. Rodney Rajkumar MEd, Department of Online Education and
Dr. Kerron Hislop, EdD, Faculty Member, Department of Music.
5. Record of Faculty and Staff Research Publications (Coming Soon!)
- The University of Southern Caribbean Institutional Review Board
About the USC IRB
USC aims to generate research that is not only scientifically sound but conducted with diligence and integrity and in full compliance with internationally established standards of research ethical principles.
The mission of the IRB is to protect the rights, privacy, safety, and dignity of all individuals and communities who participate in USC research activities.
The USC IRB will perform the primary functions of education, review, approval, and monitoring with regard to adherence to established criteria of ethical practices in research.
Members of the USC IRB
Chairperson: Dr. Susan Chand, Dean of the School of Social Sciences
Co-Chairperson: Dr. Dave Cassie, Director of Research and Innovation
Secretary: Makeda Thomas, Administrative Assistant
Dr. Jeremiah Eaton, Assistant Professor, School of Business and Entrepreneurship
Dr. Cyril Marshall, Assistant Professor, School of Theology & Religion
Dr. Terencia Joseph, Associate Professor, School of Education and Humanities
Mrs. Feona Charles, Adjunct Faculty, School of Social Sciences
Research Ethics Training
Every researcher undertaking research involving human subjects must undertake our Research Ethics Training prior to conducting any research study.
Therefore, in collaboration with the Center for Clinical and Translational Science of the University of Illinois, Chicago, The University of the Southern Caribbean is pleased to provide CIRTification Online.
CIRTification Online is a free, web-based human research protections training program tailored specifically to the needs and roles of those within our research community. .
This fully online course introduces learners to the basics of the research – the terminology, people, and methods. It also reviews the historical abuses which have developed current ethical principles, rules, and regulations.
This training program covers covers standards and best practices for
- Recruitment and informed consent
- Collecting and protecting data
- Handling challenges that may arise during participant interactions
- Reviews the role of the institutional review board in protecting the right and safety of research participants
- Includes a dictionary of research terms and a toolbox with resources related to human research protections
You can register here to undertake this course
Steps to Obtaining IRB Approval
- Complete Research Ethics Training – obtain and save soft copy of CIRTification certificate
- Under the guidance of your supervisor, complete the USC IRB Application and include all the relevant documents
- Completed IRB
- Consent Form
- Data Collection Instrument/s
- Sample letters of authorizations/ permissions
- CIRTification Certificate or equivalent
- Sample of poster or flyer for recruiting participants
- Submit the completed application form along with documents to research@usc.edu.tt
- Preliminary feedback would be provided after a two (2) week period.
- Approval letter should be provided within 30 days of submission of application.
DATA COLLECTION CAN ONLY BEGIN AFTER THE DEPARTMENT OF RESEARCH & INNOVATION GIVES NOTICE OF USC IRB APPROVAL.
IRB Form and Consent Form Templates
You can access all the relevant forms for processing of IRB applications here
Click here to access the online IRB form
Research Activities
USC Research Conference
The Annual USC Research Conference seeks to
- Present and discuss Research Findings:
- Foster collaboration:
- Translate research into action:
The Conference is usually held annually, and historically the Research day celebration has been a part of the Charter week celebrations in the month of March to commemorate the anniversary of the conferral of university status upon the beloved institution we know today as USC.
We are providing a platform every year to showcase the work being done by researchers at USC as well as abroad from diverse fields such as public health, social science, and behavioral health, along with policymakers, to explore, discuss, and innovate new approaches.
The USC Research Conference 2025: Lifestyle, Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs), and Innovative Research Methodologies in Health and Well-Being.Booklet is available here.
The USC Research Conference 2024: The Scientific Contribution of Religion/ Spirituality on Health and Well-Being Conference Booklet is available here.
USC Research Webinar/Seminar Series
The USC Research Webinar Series Featuring Faculty & Staff Researchers was created as a platform to highlight and share the diverse research being conducted across the University of the Southern Caribbean.
The series seeks to:
Promote awareness of ongoing research by USC faculty and staff.
Encourage collaboration across disciplines and departments.
Our undergraduate and graduate students can also benefit greatly from this series, as it provides valuable insights to support their preparation for research projects, graduate projects, and thesis defenses.
USC Research Webinar Recordings
Click here for a recording of the USC Webinar Series featuring
Mr. Rodney Rajkumar MEd, Department of Online Education and
Dr. Kerron Hislop, EdD, Faculty Member, Department of Music.