Liaquat Ali Shah has been leading CARIRI since 1998.

After earning a B.Sc. and M.Sc. in Chemical Engineering, Shah joined the Engineering Department of CARIRI from 1973 until 1987 and earned a M.Sc. in Chemical and Biochemical Engineering from Rutgers University in the US, under a UN Fellowship.

He returned to CARIRI as Chief Executive Officer after acquiring a wealth of experience in the manufacturing sector, which included the position of Manager-Corporate Planning with KC Confectionery and Technical Director with S M Jaleel, two well-known exporting companies.

Shah has lectured at UWI on topics ranging from Process Design and Economics to Industrial Processes-Fermentation and worked on many R&D and innovation projects, including the design and installation of a sorrel plant and pilot plant investigations into the production of bay oil.

He has also held positions as chairman or director on the boards of management of several state enterprises and private sector companies.

Under his astute leadership, CARIRI has expanded its laboratory testing, consultancy and business services and strengthened its sterling reputation for high quality service and client confidentiality.