Fleur Hermanides appointed new member of the NWO Caribbean Research Programme Committee
NWO is delighted to announce the appointment of F.M. Hermanides, MSc, as a new member of the Caribbean Research Programme Committee (PCCO). With her extensive experience in the Caribbean region in the fields of public health, nature conservation, social development and scientific research, Hermanides brings a valuable combination of expertise and local involvement to the committee.
Fleur Hermanides was born in Aruba and grew up in Sint Maarten. After secondary school, she obtained her Master's degree in Behaviour and Cognitive Neuroscience Research at the University of Groningen. Following a traineeship in clinical research, she worked in medication monitoring before returning to Sint Maarten in 2010 to join the Ministry of Health.
In addition to her work, Hermanides has volunteered for various social and environmental organisations for many years. She was co-founder and project manager of SXM DOET, an annual volunteer initiative, for many years. Since 2016, she has been project coordinator of the Caribbean Funds Cooperation, which supports social initiatives on Sint Maarten, Saba and Sint Eustatius. Her commitment to nature conservation is evident from her chairmanship of the EPIC (Environmental Protection in the Caribbean) foundation and her previous board position at the Dutch Caribbean Nature Alliance (DCNA).
With her appointment as a member of the PCCO, Hermanides will contribute to strengthening the connection between science and society in the Caribbean part of the Kingdom. ‘There is still a lack of locally relevant research and shared data, particularly on Sint Maarten,’ says Hermanides. ‘It is an honour to contribute to sustainable knowledge development and social impact on the islands through this role.’
NWO sees her appointment as an important step in further strengthening Caribbean research.