At IRRI, we have staff from all over the world working on a diverse range of projects. From research into sustainable rice management to support staff ensuring operations runs smoothly, our staff are multi-talented and multi-cultural. One thing our staff have in common is that they enjoy coming to work everyday. Hear from IRRI staff below.
Corinta |
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| Director for External Relations Originally from the Philippines |
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More about Corinta [–]
"During my senior year in college, I visited IRRI and was really impressed with the modern science facilities and inspired by the dedicated researchers in their white lab gowns working in the lab and driving the pick-up vehicles to visit their experimental plots. I then dreamt of being an IRRI researcher. I started as a research assistant and worked on the topic of problem soils. I was very fortunate to have internationally recruited supervisors who mentored me and provided me with opportunities not only to excel in science but also to build my leadership skills. I took up my masters degree in Soil Science at the University fo the Philipipnes Los Baños with support from IRRI and enhanced competencies and skills through in-house and external trainings. I was able to work my way up to become an Assistant Scientist. In 2001, I was invited by Dr. Michael Jackson to join his office, Program Planning and Communications when it was created in 2001 to help him put together and implement effective and efficient system for project development, active donor relations and intelligence, and efficient management and monitoring of restricted grants portfolio. The experience I gained and the opportunities for professional growth brought me to my present position. During my more than 35 years at IRRI, I have enjoyed and still enjoy what I do. The challenges remain exciting and achievements are equally fulfilling. I continue to be inspired by the commitment of my team to excellence and the solidarity and passion of colleagues towards achieving IRRI’s mission. I have dedicated my entire professional life to IRRI as it is where I have been given a chance to attain what I have aspired for professionally and I feel fulfilled personally as I know that being part of IRRI I make a difference in the lives of millions of poor people." |
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Liz |
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| Senior Scientist - Water Management Specialist Originally from Australia |
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More about Liz [–]
"I never had any intention of living far from home in Australia, let alone overseas. It took a couple of months to let go of all my personal and professional reasons for not applying, and all of a sudden in October 2006 I found myself in the Guest House at IRRI (instead of retiring at 56!), waiting to start my job the next day, and feeling quite anxious and inadequate because I knew that IRRI was a place where bright, nice people do good and sometimes wonderful work. "What keeps me here? Many things. There is a huge need to increase the capacity of developing country scientists to do good applied agricultural research, and contributing to capacity building is an important part of my mission. It’s also fun and rewarding to work with bright young scholars, post doctoral fellows and national scientists and watch them develop and bound ahead of me; at the same time we are jointly producing useful new insights and understanding. It’s also very interesting working with people from many parts of the world, mostly very sincere, friendly people. Other really important factors include the interesting and pleasant opportunity to live in another culture, our extended Filipino family, and the artistry, musicality and sense of fun, acceptance and inclusiveness of Filipinos. And the icing on the cake is the great recreational opportunities we can enjoy based at Los Baños." |
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Roland |
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| Principal Scientist - Soil Scientist Originally from the USA |
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More about Roland [–]
"I started at IRRI in 1984 with no previous rice experience. My appointment was for two years as a visiting scientist from another organization. I stayed for seven years because IRRI provided the resources and environment for a young scientist to make significant and substantial scientific contributions. "I then left IRRI to work for eight years on agroforestry in Africa. I rejoined IRRI in 2000 because of its noble mission; visionary, science-based leadership; and outstanding nationally recruited staff. At that time, my aim was to stay with IRRI for seven to nine years, which was the duration of employment in my two previous positions. "I have stayed longer because IRRI provides a supportive environment for scientific innovation, which enables scientists to pursue what others doubt is possible, to better handle risks of failure, and to access partners for ensuring products of research reach end users. I am also attracted to the opportunities provided by IRRI for contributing to the development of the next generation of creativity, scientists, and leaders in agricultural research. I feel privileged to be associated with IRRI. I have been fortunate to be associated with exceptionally talented and dedicated nationally recruited staff members, which are a remarkable enduring asset of IRRI." |
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Jacque |
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| Senior Associate Scientist - C4 Project Originally from the Philippines |
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More about Jacque [–]
"As a graduate of BS Agriculture from the University of the Philippines Loc Baños (UPLB), it was a dream come true for me to join IRRI in 1987. My career at IRRI started as a Junior Research Assistant, with the Simulation and Systems Analysis for Rice Production, a project headed by Dr. Penning de Vries and succeeded by Dr. Martin Kropff. "The project transitioned to the Crop Simulation Modelling group, then to the Applied Photosynthesis and Systems Modeling group, both under the leadership of Dr. John Sheehy, and eventually, to the present C4 Rice Center, with Dr. Paul Quick at the helm of this ambitious project. All these projects involved a lot of international partnerships where the exchange of scientific expertise was highly regarded from day one. These are values that are at work in IRRI, and, I have to say, I have been fortunate to be involved in all these cutting edge research projects, be it crop modeling in the 80s to the ambitious C4 rice project of the 21st century. Looking back at 18 years of service in the Institute, I can now say that I came in because of the prestige to be with the premiere international institute working on our staple: rice. I stayed on because of the enjoyment of working with all of the people I associated with and the vast exposure to international and local conferences, symposia and trainings. I will be staying on for the nobleness of my work that has evolved to actually produce C4 rice that could increase yields enormously by 50%. IRRI is definitely an Institute for young and budding scientists to start and build a strong career that will have a positive impact on the generations to come. Join us!" |
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Krishna |
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| Scientist - Molecular Plant Physiologist Originally from India |
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More about Krishna [–]
"Coming from South India, where a day doesn’t go by without seeing rice and a meal is considered incomplete with rice not served, certainly RICE is LIFE to me. I welcomed the idea to work on rice during my sandwich PhD program between University of Reading in UK and IRRI in the Philippines. "During my training, I happened to spend a year and a half at IRRI and was amazed with the range of scientific areas that were researched solely concentrating on rice and different cropping patterns where rice was a part. Moreover, the fascinating thing is that IRRI’s research outputs are indeed an open book of information which can be freely accessed with zero restriction among scientists, students and farmers throughout the world. "IRRI has a vibrant multi-cultural environment with a global representation making it a diverse and interesting place to live and work. After a day’s work it is the wide range of sports facilities both indoor and outdoor which act as a stress reliever and a perfect place to catch up with friends and colleagues from other divisions to share current happenings. The recent improvements made in the staff personnel development, with a clear career path especially for young scientists makes it additionally attractive to continue working at IRRI." |
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Rosemary |
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| Collaborative Research Scientist - Molecular Plant Geneticist/Physiologist Originally from Kenya |
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More about Rosemary [–]
"My affinity with agriculture started at a very early age. Having been born and raised in a farming village in Kenya, I always had fun playing with soil. My research career started after obtaining an MSc and PhD from Kenyatta and Gottingen University, Germany respectively, in tropical agriculture. After having been in the molecular biology laboratory for over 6 years, I knew that I needed to get out of the lab and apply the knowledge gained from the labs in the fields, and to get to talk to farmers and work with plants. At IRRI, I got this opportunity from 2010. “I am really proud to work with IRRI because of the world class state of the art facilities at IRRI headquarters and the quality of research done by IRRI scientists. In addition, I feel proud that at IRRI. and through the Global Rice Science Partnership (GRiSP) in Africa, I have been given the opportunity to help contribute to reducing poverty and ensuring food security. "Being an African, my dream is to stay at IRRI and be able to deliver to farmers improved rice varieties that can help increase yields and enhance the resilience of farming systems. Working for a noble cause is not only satisfying but also gives me a sense of elation while serving, especially, poor farmers." |
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Betty |
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| Assistant Manager Originally from the Philippines |
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More about Betty [–]
"Being part of the team managing the Institute’s funds is not an easy job. I need to keep phase with the changing (demanding) times to ensure that we are able to provide the best service possible. And that is what is admirable about IRRI. Difficult tasks may be thrown our way, but IRRI makes sure that we are well equipped to tackle these tasks by sending us to trainings, seminars and workshops, and providing us with necessary technology to be at par with the world. I am also fortunate to have good mentors in the person of my bosses. The other factors that make IRRI stand out are its location and friendly working environment. One look outside our office window or a short chat with a colleague is enough to wash away the stress caused by a busy day. The sight of green fields and mountains (yes, just like the song) is a welcome respite from all the spreadsheets and market data I see on my computer screen. It gives a positive boost to one’s outlook. If you are familiar with those commercials featuring corporate people doing their work on the beach (thanks to technology), probably that’s how my work life in IRRI is, except that I am by the rice fields but still with the world at my fingertips. " |
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Albert |
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| Research Technician - Technician III Research Originally from the Philippines |
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More about Albert [–]
"Now on my 27th year, I can proudly say that each and every year spent in the Institute has been productive and my contributions, though simple, have made significant impact to the over-all operations of our research group. I have been the recipient of an Achievement Award in 1993 and was nominated twice as outstanding employee. But my achievements have only been possible because of the excellent guidance of my supervisors especially Remy Aguda, Lita Romena, Carmen Bernal, and Liberty Almazan. As part of our project in IHPR, I also had the opportunity to travel abroad and see the impact of IRRI research in other countries. Aside from professional growth, my leadership potential was also developed, having represented the Research Technician sector in our Filipino employee organization for 3 years, serving as vice-chairman of the board from 2007 to 2010. I have clearly benefited from my employment at IRRI, and with the help of my wife (whom incidentally I met at IRRI), provide a growing family with a comfortable life. "IRRI is an outstanding institution with a noble goal to solve poverty and hunger through sustainable rice production. I chose to stay here because I want to be part of this important mission." |
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