Bernice Antoine is a senior from Trinidad and Tobago studying Business Analytics with minors in sustainability, social entrepreneurship, and the business honors program. Antoine currently collaborates with Professor Paul Kollman, CSC, on comparative studies in religious studies and theology, contributing research for his upcoming book. In a previous semester, Antoine assisted in developing the theology course Global Catholicism, which highlights the cultural diversity and underrepresented experiences within the Catholic Church. Passionate about exploring African identities and their evolution in the face of globalization, Antoine continues to integrate questions of identity and faith into broader academic work.
Beyond this research, Antoine is deeply committed to sustainability and environmental justice. In 2024, Antoine conducted research on food waste in Trinidad and Tobago, piloting Planet Plate, a custom GPT-powered platform designed to reduce food waste in culturally relevant ways for Trinbagonians. In 2025, Antoine expanded this work by conducting comparative research on sustainable waste management in Trinidad and Tobago and Singapore as part of a thesis project, further refining Planet Plate as a startup aimed at making sustainability more accessible. With international funding, Antoine also developed a micro garden project in the South Bend community to connect Notre Dame with local residents, and is currently continuing this initiative to foster sustainable food practices and strengthen university-community ties.
Antoine’s academic and leadership journey has been recognized through several fellowships and awards, including the McNeill Justice Fellowship, McInerny Fellows, the Hesburgh Women of Impact Mentorship Program, and the Lou Holtz Leadership Award. Antoine is also the recipient of the University of Notre Dame Library Research Award, the Grow the Good in Business Award, and the Black Excellence Undergraduate Student Award. These experiences reflect Antoine’s commitment to combining scholarship, innovation, and advocacy to advance sustainability, social equity, and community resilience across the Caribbean and beyond.
Thesis: Born to be Resilient: Understanding how Sustainable Waste Management Businesses Operate in an Environment Characterized by Limited Green Financing, Weak Political Incentives, and Resource-driven Economic Development, a Multiple Case Study Analysis in Trinidad and Tobago
Thesis Adviser: Suzanne Shanahan and Katherine Comeau
