The University of the West Indies is mourning the passing of Professor Michelle Mycoo, a globally recognized scholar whose research on climate change, urban development, and sustainable planning brought Caribbean realities into international focus. Professor Mycoo died on August 12, 2026, at the age of 64.

Professor Rose-Marie Belle Antoine, Pro Vice-Chancellor and Campus Principal of The UWI St. Augustine Campus, described her death as a profound loss to both the university and the wider Caribbean region. She said Professor Mycoo’s contribution to the institution went far beyond her globally recognized scholarship, pointing also to her dedication to students and her belief in research that directly serves the region’s needs. Calling her work on climate change and sustainable planning a demonstration of how knowledge can shape real solutions for Caribbean communities, Professor Belle Antoine said the university community was devastated by the loss.

Professor Mycoo’s academic legacy was extensive. She was named Best Researcher at the university’s Principal’s Research Awards and Festival in 2025, a recognition that reflected a career built on 147 publications, supervision of more than 60 graduate research projects, and nine internationally funded grants supporting multidisciplinary research and doctoral studies. Her scholarship drew more than 6,000 citations, cementing her reputation as one of the leading voices globally on climate change and sustainable development.