Avia Ustanny, Outlook Writer

Dr. Parris Lyew-Ayee Jr. displaying his cellphone, which is also a GIS instrument. - photo by Rudolph Brown/Chief Photographer

Twenty-six-year-old scholar and director of Mona GeoInformatics Institute, Dr. Parris Lyew-Ayee Jr., has found the perfect outlet for his research interests and hobbies, which include video games and virtual reality mapping.

With a core group of 15 staff members, he and his team at Mona have been venturing into areas which, a few years ago, were the just the stuff of science fiction.

Working with GIS - geographic information systems - the group has been providing real-time technology aids to the security forces and others with an interest in spatial mapping.

GIS has made significant strides in providing spatial information for national and local governments, companies, universities and individuals worldwide.

The impact of the 9/11 disaster in the United States has created new demand for the technology through which Lyew-Ayee has been able to use his academic knowledge to the full.

Jamaica Exhibition Scholarship

A graduate of St. George's College, Parris won the Jamaica Exhibition Scholarship to attend the University of the West Indies (UWI) after completing high school, attaining a BSc. with First Class Honours in Earth Sciences in 2001.

Shortlisted in that year for the Jamaica Rhodes Scholarship, he won the United Kingdom Commonwealth Scholarship to attend University of

Director of Mona GeoInformatics Institute, Dr. Parris Lyew-Ayee Jr.