OUR OFTEN FORGOTTEN HEROES IN SOCIETY

​Dolly Nicholas is the first and only woman in Trinidad and Tobago to receive a national award for scientific invention? Nicholas, who has filed twelve scientific patents over the course of her career, was awarded the Public Service Medal of Merit (Silver) in 1990 and the Chaconia Medal (Silver) in 1999 for her contributions to the field of science and technology.
Dolly Nicholas (née Mungalsingh) was born in 1952 to a large family in Gasparillo. She attended Gasparillo Government Primary School and Naparima Girls High School before earning degrees in environmental polymer chemistry and analytical chemistry at universities in Canada.
After graduating, she began working at Lake Asphalt of Trinidad and Tobago Limited, where she conducted experiments in the laboratory’s facilities and emerged with a range of unique paints, adhesives and coatings. She eventually became the company’s Research and Development Director.
Between the years 2000 and 2017, Dolly Nicholas filed twelve patents for various methods of working with asphalt. One of her recent patents is a process that converts plastic bottles into usable products like epoxy coatings. In addition to this work, Nicholas is involved in programmes that aim to encourage women to pursue careers in science and innovation.
This photo is courtesy of the book, “Why Not A Woman?” (1993) compiled by Radhica Saith and featuring photography by Mark Lyndersay. The book was published by Paria Publishing Company Limited in 1993 and it is now part of the National Archives of Trinidad and Tobago Reference Library.
References:
“Dolly Nicholas.” Icons, 1 June 2018, icons.niherst.gov.tt/icon/dolly-nicholas-cw/.
“Dolly Nicholas Inventions, Patents and Patent Applications - Justia Patents Search.” Justia, patents.justia.com/inventor/dolly-nicholas. (Source: Virtual Museum of Trinidad and Tobago, August 7, 2022).