Antiguan Rhodes Scholar Resa Nelson sets sights on transforming Caribbean science

Resa Nelson, a 21-year-old biology major, has become Hofstra University’s first Rhodes Scholar and only the second scholar from Antigua, marking a historic moment for both the university and her home country. The announcement was made in Barbados this week following an intensive round of final interviews with nine regional contenders.

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The Rhodes Scholarship—one of academia’s most prestigious awards—grants recipients two years of postgraduate study at the University of Oxford. As Forbes notes, scholars are chosen from thousands of applicants based on academic excellence, moral character, and “devotion to duty.”

Nelson stood out for research rooted in Caribbean sustainability. The college senior has been working on transforming Antigua’s seaweed into sustainable biofuel. At Hofstra, she has pursued the project under the guidance of Biology Professor Dr. Javier Izquierdo, who believes this recognition is just the beginning. “I would not be surprised if we’re talking about Resa becoming not only a Rhodes Scholar, but the president of a corporation or a Nobel Prize winner at some point,” he told ABC7. “She’s someone who is dedicated to doing positive things for our world.”

Nelson originally planned to attend medical school, but her work in the lab reshaped her aspirations. “I realized I loved the act of discovery, the process of asking questions, and finding answers,” she told ABC7. The shift opened doors to additional research in cancer immunology and neurobiology.

Much of Nelson’s passion comes from noticing the absence of people like her in scientific spaces. “Afro-Caribbean people like myself don’t necessarily have the representation that we need in cell biology, in research,” she said. That conviction has fueled her commitment to mentorship—she volunteers at a local middle school, offering tutoring and extra academic support. “Education for kids is something I’m passionate about,” she said. “I know what it’s like to grow up where your options feel limited. Having someone believe in you can make all the difference.”

While seaweed and biofuel define her Hofstra work, her long-term goal lies in stem cell research. It’s a focus she intends to pursue at Oxford, where she will begin a master’s in biology by research in fall 2026. “I see myself developing the first Afro-Caribbean stem cell line, that’s my big dream that we can take a stem cell and turn it into anything, and then that can be used as a diagnostic tool,” she told ABC7.

During her local interview in Antigua, Nelson described the intense final selection process in Barbados, where finalists waited together for the decision. “Interviews ended around four o’clock, and by five o’clock, they were out saying this is who the Rhodes Scholar is, and then the media is there,” she said. “They’re taking pictures immediately. There’s no email. You can’t prepare yourself for it.”

For her, the moment carries weight far beyond personal achievement. “Being the first is a lot, right? You feel proud being the first,” Nelson told Observer AM. “But I think more important than being the first is making sure that you’re not the last, because being the last is embarrassing.”

Nelson also spoke about the urgency of Caribbean representation in scientific research—particularly in areas directly impacting regional health. “We need representation in research, because there needs to be somebody at the table, somebody at the work bench, in the lab saying, this is what the Caribbean community needs, and somebody who’s willing to push that forward,” she said.

She noted how recently the first pancreatic stem cell line from Afro-Caribbean individuals was published, calling it “too long” a delay for such essential representation. At Oxford, she plans to push this frontier further.

Despite her growing accolades, Nelson remains grounded. A committed Seventh-Day Adventist, she observes the Sabbath from Friday night to Saturday night, keeping her laptop closed as a way to prevent burnout. On campus, she serves as president of Hofstra’s biology honors society and secretary of the gospel ensemble. She also helped create a population-genetics card game that Hofstra is considering adding to its curriculum.

As she looks ahead, Nelson hopes her story encourages others in Antigua and Barbuda to dream boldly. “Do what you love and be yourself. If you’re not doing what you love, you’re not going to want to do it,” she said. Her final message is one of possibility: “Don’t be afraid to ask for help. Don’t be afraid to be afraid of what you’re doing, and there’ll be a time where you’re not afraid, and then you’ll do amazing things.”