October 2013 | Staff updates

More employees are joining, moving around, and advancing

Abdul Rehman (Pakistan), Senior Scientist at Crop and Environmental Sciences Division (CESD) on October 1. He provides strategic leadership and effective management of research and development activities aimed at sustainable intensification and diversification of rice-based cropping systems in Pakistan.

Janelle Jung (USA), Professional Officer at Training Center (TC) on October 1. She is responsible for developing the next generation of rice scientists and development professionals program with commitment to gender and diversity strategy for IRRI and GRISP. Her office is located at Swaminathan Hall.

Nicola Wunderlich (Australia), Professional Officer at Training Center (TC) on October 1. She is responsible for the promotion of best practices in Rice Production for farmers and service providers and plant health extension program development. Her office is located at Swaminathan Hall.

Katherine Nelson (USA), Professional Officer at Training Center (TC) on October 1. She evaluates and improves operations of the IRRI Rice Knowledge Bank (RKB). She also facilitates coordination between IRRI RKB broader associated activity and training course development and delivery. Her office is located at Swaminathan Hall.

Judith Ann Buresh (USA), Professional Officer at Human Resource Services (HRS) on October 1. She serves as an effective channel communication between IRRI and its staff and their families. Her office is located at FF Hill Building.

Denis Diaz Maco (Peru), Professional Officer at Information Technology Services (ITS) on October 1. He leads and supports Open Source and Cloud Computing Project. His office is located at RP Cantrell Building.

Louisa Margaret Rapson (Australia), Professional Officer at the Office of the Director for External Relations (DER) on October 1. She develops an impartial understanding of the rice business in specific countries and uses this data to develop relationships with partners who have suitable distribution channels for IRRI research products. Her office is located at FF Hill Building.

Sara van Gaalen (Netherlands), Professional Officer at Human Resource Services (HRS) on October 1. She supports in the implementation of Human Resource Services’ (HRS) initiatives. Her office is located at FF Hill Building.

Ana Maria Reynoso (Philippines), Senior Assistant at Office of the Director for External Relations on October 1. She assists in the generation and distribution of reports and communication materials in a timely manner through the conventional and web-based approach and other conventional methods. She also provides back-up assistance to colleagues and provides IT-related support within team.  Her office is located at FF Hill Building.

Janine Kaye Vitto (Philippines), Researcher at C4 Rice Center (C4C) on October 1. She assists in implementation of experiments, surveys, and other research studies. Her office is located at DL Umali Building.

Bryan Balajadia (Philippines), Researcher at National Program Relations (NPR) on October 9. He assists in the implementation of baseline and post baseline surveys and other research studies. His office is located at FF Hill Building.

Heathel Loren Layaoen (Philippines), Junior Specialist at Crop and Environmental Sciences Division (CESD) on October 9. He is responsible for data management and performs statistical and graphical analysis.  His office is located at DL Umali Building.

Alexis Esrajel Dagmil (Philippines), Specialist at Social Sciences Division (SSD) on October 9. He plans, designs and develops the IRRI Geo-Climate Management (IGCM) Toolkit. He coordinates with the end-users and design team during the development phase and trains the end-users on the product.  His office is located at Drilon Hall.

Hedia Tnani (Tunisia), Postdoctoral Fellow at Plant Breeding, Genetics, and Biotechnology (PBGB) on October 11. She joined a team for a 3 year-funded project by BMZ on unraveling the genetic and molecular basis of flooding tolerance during germination. Her office is located at NC Brady Building.

Antonio Joselito G. Lambino II (Philippines), Head of Communication unit on October 15. He provides leadership and support for IRRI’s Institute-wide communication programs and activities. His office is located at RP Cantrell Building.

Marianne Ilagan (Philippines), Research Technician II at Plant Breeding, Genetics, and Biotechnology (PBGB) on October 16. She performs laboratory task, record results, and ensure adequate inventory of laboratory consumables. Her office is located at NC Brady Building.

Jerome Cayton Barradas (Philippines), Senior Assistant at Training Center (TC) on October 16. He provides administrative support to team members. His office is located at Swaminathan Hall.

Romnick Pascual (Philippines), Senior Assistant at Supply Chain Services (SCS) on October 21. He provides general administrative support of all Supply Chain Services teams and monitor the availability of items in consignment store. His office is located at FF Hill Building.

Jacquelyn Escarcha (Philippines), Assistant Scientist at one of IRRI’s hosted Institute on October 21. She assists in the design of experiments, surveys, and other research studies according to the organizational unit’s specific project goals and research objectives. Her office is located at Khush Hall.

Geraldine Dabu (Philippines), Research Technician III at Social Sciences Division (SSD) on October 22. She assists in gathering relevant data by employing different tools to assist in particular research, socio-economic analysis etc. Her office is located at Drilon Hall.

Lourd Franz Gabunada (Philippines), Researcher at Plant Breeding, Genetics, and Biotechnology (PBGB) on October 23. He assists on the implementation of TARI-NTU-IRRI project activities/experiments and other research studies. His office is located at NC Brady Building.

Annalhea Jarana (Philippines), Researcher at Plant Breeding, Genetics, and Biotechnology (PBGB) on October 23. She assists in the implementation of experiments, surveys, and other research studies. Her office is located at NC Brady Building.

Pieter Rutsaert (Belgium), Postdoctoral Fellow at Social Sciences Division (SSD) on October 28. He conducts studies of social components of adaptive farmer participatory research of new integrated rice production systems following a value chain perspective. His office is located at Drilon Hall.


Internal Transfers and Movements

Marileth Enriquez from Assistant Manager II, DER, to Manager, DER


Bidding farewell to

Karl Abelard Villegas, Jr., Researcher, ICRAF, October 1
Margaret Ann Jingco, Assistant Manager II, NPR, October 1
Shayne Reaño, Technician II - Research, PBGB, October 1
Carina Sodela, Secretary I, PPS, October 1
Lolita Garcia, Associate Scientist, SSD, October 1
Oscar Templanza, Associate, TS, October 6
Pamella Marie Sendon, Researcher, PBGB, October 15
Czar Joselle Delos Reyes, Officer, PBGB, October 23