Jamaica's Charlyne Smith writes history, becomes first black woman to earn PhD in nuclear engineering from the University of Florida

Jamaica's Charlyne Smith got her name written with golden ink in the history books. She became the first black woman to be awarded a PhD in nuclear engineering from the University of Florida.

Charlyne Smith was born and brought up in St Catherine, Jamaica. She is an alumnus of Spanish Town-based St Catherine High School.

Smith said she is honoured and grateful to have made history as the first black female to graduate with a PhD in Nuclear Engineering from the University of Florida. She pursued her degree on a scholarship from the Coppin State University in Baltimore, Maryland, where she graduated in 2017 with a degree in chemistry and mathematics.

Charlyne Smith said she was persuaded by her grandfather to use intelligence. She said she always dreamt of becoming a scientist and contribute knowledge towards society and inventions.

Prime Minister of Jamaica Andrew Holness also congratulated Charlyne Smith. He wrote, "Congratulations to our very own Charlyne Smith, the first black woman to earn a PhD in nuclear engineering from the university of Florida. Charlyne, who grew up in St Catherine and is a former student of my alma mater, the St Catherine High School, graduated with her doctorate from the University of Florida last month."