Eng. Dr. Lee Leon BSc, MSc, and PhD, MAPETT, R.Eng.
A Chat with Engineer Dr. Lee Leon, recipient of APETT’s Harry O. Phelps Award for Research and Innovation
Engineer Dr. Lee P. Leon is a tenured Lecturer in the Department of Civil & Environmental Engineering at The University of the West Indies, St. Augustine, whose career gracefully bridges rigorous academic inquiry with impactful industry practice. With over 15 years of experience spanning both domains, Dr. Leon holds a BSc, MSc, and PhD in Civil Engineering from UWI, reflecting a deep and sustained commitment to intellectual and technical excellence.
His core expertise encompasses pavement engineering, highway geometric design, and sustainable construction materials; areas in which he has not only published extensively in regional and international journals but also contributed meaningfully to solving real-world infrastructure challenges across the Caribbean.
Prior to his full-time academic appointment in 2020, he served as a materials and geometric design engineer, collaborating on major public and private sector projects. Known for his humble leadership and collaborative spirit, Dr. Leon is also the Faculty’s primary advisor on matters related to roads, pavement materials, and asphalt technology, serving as a vital conduit between academia and the engineering profession.
Q1. Congratulations, Eng. Dr. Leon. How does it feel to receive APETT’s Harry O. Phelps Award for Research and Innovation?
It’s a humbling and deeply gratifying experience. This award reaffirms that research grounded in regional relevance and technical excellence can create meaningful impact. I’m especially honoured to be recognized by my professional peers in Trinidad and Tobago.
Q2. What does this award represent to you, especially given your dual role in both academia and industry?
This award represents the validation of a journey deeply rooted in service to both the academic and engineering communities. As someone who bridges classroom theory and field application, it’s gratifying to be acknowledged not just for scholarly output, but for work that tangibly improves infrastructure in our region. It symbolizes the importance of cross-pollination between research and industry, where a design method proposed in a journal can evolve into a national standard or inform a contractor’s best practice. To me, the Harry O. Phelps Award highlights that civil engineering innovation is not confined to labs or lecture halls; it thrives in the spaces where academia and industry intersect for public good.
Q3. How would you describe the journey that led to this recognition? Were there any pivotal moments in your career that stand out?
The journey has been one of perseverance, purpose, and adaptability. It’s been shaped as much by constraints as by opportunities. One of the most defining chapters was during my PhD research at The University of the West Indies. Financial limitations meant that I didn’t have access to the same level of funding or lab resources as my peers in more developed settings. But rather than see that as a setback, I used it as a springboard for innovation. I designed and modified testing equipment, methodologies and developed low-cost protocols to performance-based asphalt mixtures evaluation. It wasn’t always easy, but it taught me how to be both resourceful and rigorous.
That experience planted the seeds for much of the applied, performance-based research I’ve pursued which are grounded in the realities of the Caribbean context. Another pivotal moment came when I transitioned from research assistant to lecturer. I began merging my industry experience with academic responsibilities, supervising real-world projects, and consulting on national scale infrastructure designs. It was in those early lectures and lab sessions with students, many of whom reminded me of myself that I realized the importance of making engineering education practical, relevant, and empowering.
The recognition I’ve received, including the APETT Harry O. Phelps Award, is the outcome of that long path. A path where challenges from financial hardship to field setbacks, became a lesson in leadership, creativity, and commitment to the region’s development.
Q4. Your work in pavement engineering, highway design, and sustainable materials has been widely recognized. What inspired your focus in these areas?
I actually wanted to be an architect—haha! But like many young Caribbean professionals, my path took an unexpected but rewarding turn. My early exposure to the world of construction came from my uncle, who was a small building contractor. As a teenager, I would spend time on job sites helping out, asking questions, and observing how materials, labour, and design came together to create something tangible. That practical, hands on experience planted the seeds of curiosity and shaped my understanding of infrastructure from the ground up.
However, the true pivot came when I was introduced to pavement engineering during my undergraduate years. I was fortunate to have the late Eng. Raymond Charles as both a mentor and guide. He was instrumental in steering me toward the field of pavement design and management. His passion, depth of knowledge, and willingness to invest in young minds left a lasting impression. He gave me opportunities early in my career to lecture part-time, to assist in material testing, and to support him on major regional consultancy projects. That exposure not only strengthened my technical foundation but also built my confidence in contributing to large-scale engineering challenges.
Over time, I began to see pavement engineering not just as a technical discipline, but as a critical lever for development especially in Small Island Developing States like ours, where resilient and cost-effective infrastructure is vital. The sustainability angle grew out of necessity. We have limited access to premium construction materials and face increasing environmental constraints. These realities pushed me to focus on locally available, recycled, and waste-based alternatives. It’s a field where innovation meets necessity, and I find it deeply rewarding to contribute solutions that are both scientifically robust and practically implementable across the Caribbean.
Q5. How do you approach the challenge of ensuring your research has both academic rigor and practical relevance to the Caribbean context?
I start by grounding every research question in a local or regional challenge, be it road failures, waste management, or material shortages. Then, I ensure the methodology meets global academic standards, incorporating laboratory testing, advanced analytics, and peer-reviewed frameworks. The practical relevance comes from my continuous engagement with industry stakeholders, government agencies, and field practitioners. Many of my projects involve performance testing of locally available materials, like quarry fines or oil sand, recycle materials and converting those findings into engineering specifications. This dual-track approach ensures that my work remains both globally respected and regionally transformative.
Q6. Can you share an example of a research project or innovation that you’re particularly proud of, and its impact on engineering practice?
One of the projects I’m most proud of is working on the first-ever crumb rubber asphalt mix design, road design, and construction project in Trinidad and Tobago. This wasn’t just a lab experiment, it was a full-scale, real-world initiative aimed at blending innovation with sustainability. The entire mix design was developed by me at The University of the West Indies Highway Engineering Laboratory, where I conducted all the testing, analysis, and optimization.
What made this project truly special was the collaborative framework. It brought together UWI, the University of Trinidad and Tobago (UTT), the Caribbean Industrial Research Institute (CARIRI), key government agencies, and a forward-thinking local contractor (Dannys Enterprises Ltd). Each partner brought something unique to the table, whether it was resources, expertise, or implementation support. This multidisciplinary, cross-sector partnership underscored the importance of academic-industry collaboration.
The crumb rubber modified asphalt mixture was designed to enhance flexibility and reduce susceptibility to cracking and rutting especially important given our tropical climate. A year later, I’m proud to say that the road is still performing excellently. It stands as proof that with the right blend of science, collaboration, and vision, we can introduce sustainable and high-performing pavement technologies right here in the Caribbean. This project not only demonstrated technical success but also showed that innovation in waste material reuse can be practical, scalable, and long-lasting.
Q7. Before your full-time academic appointment, you worked on major infrastructure projects. How has that industry experience influenced your teaching and research?
My industry background informs everything I do as a lecturer and researcher. Whether it was as a Geometric Design Engineer or a Materials & Design Consultant, I gained insight into the pressures and constraints engineers face on-site; tight deadlines, material inconsistencies, budget fluctuations. This has shaped my teaching style: I emphasize not just theoretical knowledge, but decision-making under uncertainty. In research, I focus on models and methods that are implementable, not just publishable. That grounding ensures that even when I engage in advanced techniques like AI or fracture mechanics, I never lose sight of the practical engineer in the field.
Q8. What are some of the key infrastructure challenges you’ve encountered in the Caribbean, and how has your research contributed to addressing them?
The Caribbean faces a unique blend of infrastructure challenges such as; frequent road deterioration due to poor drainage and subgrade instability, high material import costs, and vulnerability to extreme weather events. These issues are amplified in Small Island Developing States like T&T and the island of Saint Lucia, my home country, where resources are limited, but the need for resilient infrastructure is urgent.
My research has consistently focused on addressing these challenges head-on. For example, I’ve worked extensively on evaluating and implementing alternative pavement materials, like recycled concrete, oil sand, and crumb rubber, so we can reduce reliance on imported aggregates while improving performance in our hot and wet climates.
Another area I’m proud of is the integration of artificial intelligence into climate and infrastructure forecasting. In collaboration with Dr. Neil Oculi, I co-authored a paper that used soft computing techniques to predict rainfall and temperature trends for Saint Lucia. This work provided insights into long-term climate variability and its potential impact on infrastructure planning. Given how much Caribbean infrastructure is threatened by climate change, developing predictive tools that help guide future design and maintenance strategies is crucial. For a small island like Saint Lucia, where a single rainfall event can disrupt entire communities, this type of research has both technical and human significance.
Overall, my work contributes by creating locally grounded, data-driven solutions that engineers and policymakers can use to plan more durable and sustainable infrastructure across the region.
Q9. In your view, what role should academic researchers play in shaping national or regional infrastructure policies and standards?
We must serve as both innovators and advisors. Policymakers often need evidence-based guidance, and academia is uniquely positioned to provide it. Researchers can pilot new methods, validate materials, and assess long-term performance without commercial pressure. I’ve personally contributed to national consultations and parliamentary committees, and I believe this is essential. Academic voices must be present where infrastructure decisions are made offering impartial expertise, foresight, and systems thinking. Ultimately, we should not just respond to policy but help shape it.
Q10. You’re known as the Faculty’s go-to advisor on roads, pavement materials, and asphalt technology. How do you maintain strong ties between your research and ongoing industry needs?
Being called the “go-to advisor” is both humbling and a bit funny to hear. I’ve always just seen myself as someone who’s passionate about solving problems and sharing knowledge. If that’s earned me that label, then I’m grateful but I wear it with humility. The truth is, I maintain strong ties with industry because I’ve never stopped engaging with it. I’m regularly involved in mix design consultations, materials testing, and collaborative projects with contractors and agencies. These experiences keep me grounded in the practical realities engineers face daily from material inconsistencies to unexpected site conditions.
I also actively lead and participate in technical training workshops through the UWI Engineering Institute, where we interface with engineers, lab technicians, and policymakers. These sessions allow me to transfer knowledge from my research while also learning from the field. And of course, many of my research questions stem directly from these industry interactions. Whether it’s helping a company design a sustainable asphalt mix or investigating field failures, I ensure my academic work feeds directly into improving construction outcomes across Trinidad and the wider Caribbean.
Q11. What advice would you give to young engineers or researchers who want to ensure their work remains grounded in real-world applications?
Start with the field, not the lab. Talk to contractors, supervisors, and public works engineers. Ask them what problems keep them up at night. Your research should answer questions the industry is already asking. Secondly, don’t be afraid to test your ideas in messy, real-world conditions; perfection in the lab doesn’t always translate to performance in the field. Finally, keep your communication skills sharp. Knowing how to write specs, present to policymakers, or guide a site engineer can be as valuable as a well-written journal paper.
Q12. Collaboration is a recurring theme in your career. How has collaboration—whether with colleagues, students, or industry—enhanced your work?
Collaboration has been one of the most enriching and transformative aspects of my career. I’ve never viewed engineering as a solo pursuit. It thrives on shared knowledge, diverse perspectives, and collective problem-solving. Whether I’m working with an undergraduate student on a research project, an MSc or a PhD candidate on advanced material modelling, or a contractor trying to improve field performance, each collaboration brings unique value.
Working with colleagues from other institutions such as UTT, CARIRI, and universities abroad, has expanded the scope of my research, introducing me to new methods, datasets, and even entirely new research questions. For instance, my collaboration on rainfall and temperature prediction in Saint Lucia fused civil engineering with climatology and AI, a partnership that wouldn’t have been possible without mutual respect and interdisciplinary openness.
With industry, collaboration ensures that my research addresses real, pressing needs. Whether it’s through joint projects on mix designs or feedback from lab testing, industry keeps my work relevant and grounded. Many of my students also benefit from these industry ties, gaining access to practical data, mentorship, and even job opportunities.
What I’ve learned is that good research becomes great when it’s collaborative. It’s how I’ve been able to turn ideas into innovations and knowledge into impact. It’s also one of the reasons why I place such a strong emphasis on mentorship because collaboration isn’t just about output, it’s about legacy.
Q13. What trends or technologies do you believe will shape the future of pavement and transportation engineering in the Caribbean?
Three major trends come to mind: the adoption of soft computing for performance prediction, the use of sustainable and recycled materials, and the integration of smart technologies for transportation and pavement health monitoring. I also foresee more emphasis on climate-resilient designs, especially as SIDS face increasingly severe weather. As a region, we must invest in training and standards that embrace these technologies, while also maintaining our focus on affordability and local context.
Q14. What’s next for your research? Are there any emerging areas or projects you’re excited to explore in the coming years?
I’m particularly excited about integrating GIS and AI to develop climate-adaptive infrastructure models for SIDS. We’re also working on a project that predicts California Bearing Ratio values using machine learning, which can streamline design processes. Another frontier is the design and hopefully a full performance evaluation of a cold-mix asphalt made with treated waste plastics / oil sand / crumb rubber blends. These innovations align with both global sustainability goals and regional material realities. I’m also keen to publish more review articles that synthesize our Caribbean experience for an international audience.
Q15. What has been the most fulfilling aspect of your journey as both an engineer and educator?
For me, teaching is more than a job, it’s a vocation. It’s a calling to not only share knowledge but to ignite curiosity, to challenge minds, and to help shape the future of our region through education. The most fulfilling aspect of my journey has been seeing my students grow. Watching them transition from classroom learners to confident professionals leading infrastructure projects, pursuing advanced degrees, or making meaningful contributions in industry and government.
As an educator, I firmly believe that knowledge transfer must be at the forefront of what we do. It’s not just about delivering lectures or assigning coursework, it’s about mentoring, guiding, and building capacity. Especially in the Caribbean context, where we often face resource constraints, empowering students with both technical skills and critical thinking can make a real difference.
Equally fulfilling is the chance to merge research with teaching. When students contribute to real-world projects or co-author papers, they experience firsthand how engineering solves societal problems. That kind of experiential learning is transformative and being a part of that process is one of the greatest rewards of my career.
Q16. Finally, if you could pass on one key lesson to the next generation of Caribbean engineers, what would it be? Stay grounded in purpose. In small islands like ours, every road, every bridge, every drainage design impact lives directly. Let your work reflect both technical excellence and social responsibility. Be bold enough to innovate, but humble enough to listen. And remember, Caribbean engineers must not only build for today, but lead the transformation toward a resilient, inclusive, and sustainable tomorrow.