Dr Charah T. WATSON, JP, is a multidimensional scientist, innovator, and entrepreneur. She is the Executive Director of the Scientific Research Council (SRC), Jamaica’s principal agency responsible for the fostering and coordination of scientific research and the promotion and application of its results.

Dr Watson is also the owner and chief formulation chemist of the health and wellness company Kihara Cosmetics, specializing in natural hair and skin care products developed to “Enhance your beauty naturally”. In 2012 Dr Watson was named the SRC Young Scientist/ Technologist of the Year and has been a part of teams to have won the Jamaica (SRC) National Innovations award on 3 occasions.  In 2017, she received prestigious recognition from the US State Department as one of the change-makers in Latin America and the Caribbean and was awarded a Young Leader of the Americas (YLAI) fellowship and a TEDx alum.

Dr Watson received her Doctorate in Chemistry and bachelor’s degree in Food Chemistry and Pure and Applied Chemistry from the University of the West Indies, Mona. She also holds a Diploma in Governance and Public Innovation from the Development Bank of Latin America and the University of the West Indies, Cave Hill, Barbados and an Executive MBA from Formato Business School, Spain.  

She is an enterprising scientist who is committed to promoting the development of Jamaica through the utilization of science, technology and innovation.  She is a member of the Third World Academy of Sciences and an Honorary Fellow of Excelsior Community College. She is a Rotarian and has served as the President of the Rotary Club of Liguanea Plains (2020-2021). Dr Watson is married and has 4 children.