IRRI scientist honored by peers
Gilbert Francisco Jr. in Ang Pinoy Stories
Oct 16, 2019 • 1 min Read
A Filipino scientist was recently honored for his breakthrough research on rice breeding.
Dr. Glenn B. Gregorio, director of the Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (SEARCA), was granted the title Honorary Fellow by the Crop Science Society of the Philippines (CSSP) for his research work that helped develop at least 20 rice varieties with tolerance to abiotic stresses while he was a senior plant breeder at the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI).
His work produced first batches of salt-tolerant rice varieties which have been proven to sufficiently improve levels of total body iron in women’s blood.
His work has been described as “dramatic” since it benefits not only the Philippines but even in the rest of Asia and Africa. His work on rice genetics and molecular mapping helped the development of new varieties that have salinity tolerance.
Gregorio was recognized during the 25th Federation of Crop Science Societies of the Philippines (FCSSP) and 1st Federation of Plant Science Associations of the Philippines (FPSAP) Scientific Conference in Davao City last month.
Gregorio said in his acceptance speech that young crop science professionals should “continue to explore and enjoy, to try and be ready, and to fail and learn from it.”
“We tried it; succeed or fail, we always learn. Explore, dare, be different and take risks for the sake of science. But, at the same time, be patient. Perseverance is the key,” he said.
CSSP is “organized to promote human welfare through the discovery and dissemination of knowledge concerning the nature, utilization, improvement, and interrelationships of plants and their environment, and people,” according to its Facebook page.
