Resilience through science

Renée Peters will graduate on January 31 from the University of Technology (UTech), Jamaica with first class honours, a GPA of 4.04, and the title of valedictorian for the Faculty of Science and Sport. Her success is striking not only for its academic distinction but for the resilience behind it.

Despite leaving traditional schooling as a teenager due to severe depression, Peters pursued a degree in forensic chemistry determined to prove herself. “The biggest challenge I faced was managing my mental health alongside the academic demands. I left traditional schooling … and completed my exams independently,” she recalls. Becoming a peer counsellor at UTech proved a turning point. “My turning point was becoming a peer counsellor. I learned techniques for supporting others that I could also apply to myself, and contributing to others’ well-being proved deeply healing.”

Her motivation to pursue forensic chemistry was shaped by early exposure to crime. As a child she witnessed the impact of violence firsthand, consoling younger cousins after a shooting left a relative hospitalised. “From that moment, I wanted to be part of a system that ensures no citizen had to experience the fear and pain I saw my cousins grappling with that day,” she said.

Beyond her early motivation to pursue her current field, Peters shared that she also developed a strong passion for science, nurtured at home by her father, who is an engineer and a UTech, Jamaica alumnus. “My father is an engineer. Growing up, I often watched him repair items or build gadgets from scratch. He would tell stories about his time at UTech, including how he spent countless hours in the computer labs learning to code. Through his stories, I saw how deeply UTech had shaped his curiosity and problem-solving mindset. Those moments inspired me to pursue a path in STEM,” she said. For her, forensic chemistry felt like a natural way to combine her scientific skills and interests in support of justice and to contribute meaningfully to national development.

Despite her nurtured passion and great ambition to become a forensic scientist, Peters first had to fight to maintain her mental health and relearn how to function in a traditional academic environment. Upon leaving the traditional high-school system, she recalled someone saying that people “never recover” from breaks like that – an utterance she admitted, “for a long time, I feared might had been right.”

Peters also disclosed that as she fought to defy those odds, her hope was kept alive by the knowledge that her work could contribute to safer communities in Jamaica. She was also driven by a personal desire to test her limits. “Every project, late night in the lab, and exam became a measure of my determination, and I was often surprised by what I could achieve,” she stated.

An extra source of reassurance later came when her hard work, self-discipline, and perseverance began yielding results. “I was honoured to receive the UTech 60th Anniversary Scholarship twice, first for achieving the top GPA in the Faculty of Science and Sport and again for having the highest GPA in the School of Natural and Applied Sciences,” shared the excited graduate, adding, “ graduating with first class honours feels like the culmination of my determination, resilience, and the support of the UTech community.” She also praised her family for their unwavering support, which kept her grounded and focused on finishing strong.

AN ALL-ROUNDER

Peters managed to strike a balance between academics and service. She served as a student ambassador, helping to promote the institution’s positive image. She also served as president of the Forensic Science Society of Jamaica as well as curriculum development officer and centre manager in Kintyre for the Students’ Union’s Teach the Youth community outreach programme.

Of all her extracurricular engagements, Peters shared that her most rewarding experience was participating in the Students’ Union Teach the Youth Programme as it reshaped her understanding of education, equality, and opportunity in Jamaica. “Many of the children we worked with in the inner city were bright and curious, but their circumstances often limited their opportunities. The experience showed me how targeted support and guidance can open doors that might otherwise remain closed,” she stated.

Having been moulded by her own challenges, triumphs, and university experiences, Peters continues her pursuit of a purpose-filled career in forensic science. She is currently building on her skills in forensic computing and cybersecurity as an IT security intern at Freeport Limited.

She has also found time to complete professional certifications and online courses in ethical hacking, network security, and digital forensics, while also participating in Capture the Flag competitions. She noted that these undertakings are valuable assets in the field today as digital evidence has become critical in almost every case.

She also shared her pride in being part of the UTech, Jamaica community, citing its long-standing legacy of producing work-ready leaders. “At a time when many are questioning the value of university education and debating whether you can learn everything on your own, I appreciate how UTech bridges the gap … the curriculum integrates industry best practices, the lecturers are actively involved in their fields, and students have access to the tools and equipment needed to develop practical skills,” she explained.

Peters assured those looking on that the university community genuinely wants them to succeed but that their paths become far more manageable when they allow themselves to be supported. “The classroom gives you knowledge, but real growth happens when you step outside of it. Get involved in extracurricular activities, volunteer, take on leadership roles, and attend campus events. These experiences will shape the kind of person and professional you become … talk to your peers, let your lecturers know when you are struggling, and lean on the ‘village’ around you,” she advised.