May 2012 | Staff updates

More employees are joining, moving around, and advancing

Felichi Mae Arines (Philippines), Researcher at Plant Breeding, Genetics, and Biotechnology (PBGB) on May 2. She contributes in the gene expression analysis and other molecular biology activities in the HarvestPlus project. Her office is located at KJ Lampe Building, x2430.

Joan Castillo (Philippines), Programmer at Crop and Environmental Sciences Division (CESD) on May 2. She is responsible for the software applications and decision tools associated with the dissemination of improved management of soil, nutrient, and organic materials for rice-based systems. Her office is located at Kenzo Hemmi Building, x2336.

Pablo Gupit (Philippines), Technician III-Research at Crop and Environmental Sciences Division (CESD) on May 2. He maintains the controlled environment facility and field-based air con driven equipment for conducting research related to high night temperature under both field and walk in chambers. His office is located at DL Umali Building.

Ronald Santelices (Philippines), Researcher at Plant Breeding, Genetics, and Biotechnology (PBGB) on May 2. He is responsible for characterizing and cataloguing elite breeding lines and multiplying the purified seed of these lines/varieties for sharing with NARES and ARI partners. His office is located at Green/Screen House, x2326.

Grace Angelique Cariño (Philippines), Technician III-Research at Plant Breeding, Genetics, and Biotechnology (PBGB) on May 8. She provides technical assistance for the application of high throughput SNP marker genotyping to support IRRI's breeding programs.  She also supports in the laboratory operations in Molecular Marker Application Laboratory (MMAL). Her office is located at NC Brady Building, x2678.

Rico Gamuyao (Philippines), Postdoctoral Fellow at Plant Breeding, Genetics, and Biotechnology (PBGB) on May 22. Directly reporting to Sigrid Heuer, he analyzes the genes and downstream processes regulated by the Pup1 major gene and characterize its specific role in root development. His office is located at KJ Lampe Building, x2548.

Ruth McNally (Philippines), Plant Breeder at Plant Breeding, Genetics, and Biotechnology (PBGB) on May 28. Reporting directly to Kshirod Jena, she is responsible for the development of advanced backcross-derived alien chromosome addition lines and chromosome segmental substitution lines of O. coarctata in O. sativa background by embryo rescue and chromosome manipulation across post-zygotic incompatibility. Her office is located at NC Brady Laboratory.

Loretta Hempsall (Australia), Corporate Services Manager at IRRI Bangladesh office May 28. She ensures that there is an integrated and robust set of services to support the research programmes in Bangladesh. She is the go to person in Dhaka for finance, HR, IT, procurement, transportation, contracts and other service functions and will work closely with her counterparts in Los Baños.

Jason Gayas (Philippines), Technician II-Research at Plant Breeding, Genetics, and Biotechnology (PBGB) on May 30. He supports scientists and researchers in the population improvement program. His office is located at NC Brady Building, x2238.

Katreena Titong (Philippines), Technician III-Research at Plant Breeding, Genetics, and Biotechnology (PBGB) on May 30. She assists in the field/greenhouse for DNA sampling, genotyping, and data recording of various projects on molecular marker application to rice breeding.  Her office is located at NC Brady Building, x2394.


Short term appointments with more than 6 months contract

Shravanti Mutsuddy joined IRRI Bangladesh Office on Professional Service contract under the USAID funded CSISA-Bangladesh Project Sustainable Rice Seed Production and Delivery Systems for Southern Bangladesh on May 1.

Ronald Javier rejoined IRRI on Professional Service contract at PBGB on May 7. His office is located at New Glasshouse, x2264.

Mina Miravel rejoined IRRI on Professional Service contract at PBGB on May 7. Her office is located at New glasshouse, x2264.

Sherri Maigne Meneses rejoined IRRI on Professional Service contract at CPS on May 16. Her office is located at RP Cantrell Building, x2268.

Felisa Navor joined on Professional Service contract at CESD on May 16. Her office is located at Entomology Greenhouse, x2267.

Elemarie Rosellon joined on Professional Service contract at PR on May 21. Her office is located at FF Hill Building, x2587.

Timothy Kenneth Lojo joined on Professional Service contract at CPS on May 21. His office is located at RP Cantrell Building, x2703. 

Bryan Balajadia joined on Professional Service contract at NPR on May 30. His office is located at FF Hill Building, x2455.
Leiss Jansenne Gelera joined as Emergency Associate - Editorial at CPS on May 8.

Staff movements and internal transfers

Rosemarie Caballero from Assistant Manager I, ICRAF to Assistant Manager II, ICRAF
Amanda Isabel Mamon from Secretary III, PBGB to Officer, PBGB
Reneeliza Jean Melgar from Assistant Scientist, PBGB to Assistant Scientist, CESD
Victor Alcantara from Researcher, PBGB to Specialist, PBGB
Eraño Ramos from Technician I-Research, PBGB to Technician II-Research, PBGB
Maria Socorro Arboleda from Specialist, TC to Senior Specialist, TC
Charisse Grace Arlegui from Secretary III, PBGB to Officer, PBGB


Bidding farewell to

Arvin Benavente, Officer, EVEO, May 2
Evelyn Inocencio, Assistant Manager I, CESD, May 16
Bita Avendaño, Assistant Manager II, EVEO, May 16
Daniel Pasuquin, Technician II-Research, PBGB, May 27


Congratulations and best wishes to

Eunice Andarin, HRS, and her family on the birth of son Viggo on May 9

Obituary

We send our sincere condolences to the following staff:

Adonna Robles (DDGR) on the death of her mother, Mrs. Teofista Medrana, who passed away on May 27, 2012.