Belizean Meteorologist Awarded Chevening Scholarship to Study in United Kingdom

Alexia Mai, a meteorologist from Altamira, Corozal Town, has been officially named a Chevening Scholar, opening the door to advanced studies in the United Kingdom. Currently training at Belize’s National Meteorological Service, Alexia holds a Bachelor’s degree in Mathematics from the University of Belize. Her passion for atmospheric sciences and analytical skills paved the way for her early career as a weather observer, and later, an advanced training opportunity at the Caribbean Institute for Meteorology and Hydrology (CIMH) in Barbados. There, her dedication earned her the prestigious Horace and Selvin Burton Top Student Prize for outstanding academic achievement. Beyond her professional work, Alexia is an active climate advocate and youth leader. She has held leadership roles including Vice-President of the Science and Environmental Club and Secretary of the Belize Youth Climate Leaders Association. In 2021, she represented Belize as National Coordinator at the Regional Conference of Youth for Latin America and the Caribbean, contributing to regional climate policy discussions ahead of COP26. As a trained Climate Reality Leader, she champions inclusive climate action throughout the region. With her new Chevening Scholarship, Alexia will pursue a Master’s in Applied Meteorology and Climatology at the University of Birmingham. Given Belize’s vulnerability to climate change, she aims to strengthen national resilience by integrating science into policy, enhancing early warning systems, and ensuring communities receive timely climate information.