March 2012 | Staff updates

More employees are joining, moving around, and advancing

Maryann Basijan (Philippines), Officer at Controller - Financial Planning & Reporting (CNTRL-FPR) on March 1. She is in-charge of analyzing, monitoring, and reporting of the financial aspect of projects in compliance with the signed Memorandum of Understanding and in accordance with the Institute’s standards. Her office is located at FF Hill Building, x2509.

Almar Murillo (Philippines), Technician II - Research at Experiment Station (ES) on March 1. He provides development operations and maintenance of the Rice Mill facility and including ES support services for quality assurance and efficient use of resources. His office is located at ES Complex, x2571.

Annette Tobias (Philippines), Assistant Scientist at Crop and Environmental Sciences Division (CESD) on March 1. She provides support in the conduct of socio-economic baseline surveys and surveys on adoption and estimation of benefits derived from prior innovations. Her office is located at NC Brady Building, x2615.

Ricky Vinarao (Philippines), Researcher at Plant Breeding, Genetics, and Biotechnology (PBGB) on March 1. He provides support in screening of introgression lines of wide cross progenies under various biotic and abiotic stresses and assists in QTL mapping of interspecific backcross progenies. His office is located at KJ Lampe Building, x2609.

Reah Gonzales (Philippines), Researcher at Grain Quality and Nutrition Center (GQNC) on March 5. She performs analysis of plant and soil samples using modern instrumentation and conducts method validation of existing plant and soil protocols. She also conducts validation of analyses done by Research Technicians to ensure high quality and reliable results. Her office is located at Kenzo Hemmi Building.

Ricardo Francisco Oliva (Ecuador), Scientist at Plant Breeding, Genetics, and Biotechnology (PBGB) on March 8. Reporting directly to Eero Nissila, he conducts research on host plant resistance to emerging diseases, under changing rice production scenarios and develops improved germplasm tolerant to biotic stresses. Joining him is partner Nadia, son Bernardo, and daughter Constanza. His office is located at DL Umali Building, x2743. Cecille Salonga assists him at x2218.

Kevin Randall (Canada), Science Instrumentation Specialist at C4 Rice Center (C4C) on March 19. Reporting directly to William Paul Quick, he conducts design studies and optimization of novel high-throughput phenotyping for C4 rice and gene discovery research. Kevin’s partner is Elsie Quaite-Randall. His office is located at DL Umali Building, x2643.

Gerardo Tomasito Laviña (Philippines), Senior Specialist at Communications & Publications Services (CPS) on March 26. He co-leads the role in the research and design efforts for IRRI's external online shared information environments, internal-facing systems, and on-line communication platforms used by the Institute. His office is located at RP Cantrell Building, x2703.

Richard Pasco (Philippines), Programmer at Crop and Environmental Sciences Division (CESD) on March 28. He participates in a team of physiologists and crop modelers who develops and implements crop modeling tools in collaboration with CIRAD (France) and CCAFS (Columbia and UK). His office is located at DL Umali Building, x2617.


Short term appointments with more than 6 months contract

Kadija Farhana Choudhury joined IRRI Bangladlesh Office on Professional Service contract under the SUSFER Project on March 1.
Atanacio Sungcaya rejoined IRRI on Professional Service contract at PBGB on March 1. His office is located at DL Umali Building, x2422.
Lovelie Shaine Olivo rejoined IRRI on Professional Service contract at CESD on March 12. Her office is located at DL Umali Building, x2614.
Annalyn Natoza rejoined IRRI on Professional Service contract at GQNC on March 23. Her office is located at Kenzo Hemmi Building, x2680.
Jefferson Agraan joined as Emergency Technician I - Research at CESD on March 19.


Staff movements and internal transfers

Pauline Capistrano from Technician III-Research, PBGB to Researcher, PBGB
Anna Lynn Sevilla from Researcher, PBGB to Assistant Scientist, PBGB
Dalvin Gerald Morales from Technician I-Research, CESD to Technician II-Research, CESD


Bidding farewell to

Darell Sison, Senior Specialist, CPS, March 1
Rodelo Empalmado, Core Guard, SSS, March 1
Rodolfo Calibo, Technician III - Physical Plant, PPS, March 1
Ricardo Tabilangon, Technician III - Refrigeration & AC Mechanic, PPS, March 1
Eric Paragas, Assistant Manager II, PBGB, March 10
Lovely Merlicel Quipot, Specialist, PR, March 10
Efren Blanco, Technician III-Research, ES, March 15
Enrico Lucero, Secretary III, ES, March 30
Virgilio Lalap, Technician II - Research, ES, March 30
Pedro Cabrera, Sr., Technician II - Research, ES, March 30
Eunice Escandor, Researcher, CESD, March 31