Jailene Castillo

Jailene Castillo is a problem solver. During her internship at Ecology Project International, she helped strengthen the education and scientific research interface for students in Belize. She was also the national youth ambassador for the Belize Lions Club Zone 59 and in collaboration with other service-based organizations, she facilitated fundraisers and organized social activities for vulnerable communities. As part of her advocacy work, she attended the National Jesuit Student Leadership Conference at Georgetown University in Washington, DC, where she lobbied US senators for the continuation of grants and scholarships for immigrant students. 

Jailene was also the recipient of the Organization of American States Undergraduate Scholarship and holds a BS in biochemistry (first class honors) from the University of the West Indies in Barbados. Most recently, she was a research consultant at the Belize Vector and Ecology Center where she co-directed insecticide resistance assays and digital-based education activities, led manuscript development, and was actively involved in data analysis, laboratory and field work, and community outreach. Jailene intends to use her growing platform for humanitarian causes. She is the recipient of a John Hahn/Leticia Foncillas Fellowship.