For his outstanding contributions to the advancement of root science in the Philippines. His pioneering studies on crop "root plasticity" offered new perspectives in matching the type, timing and magnitude of water stress environment with the root morphological, physiological, and genetic traits, and optimum agronomic management. This knowledge can improve crop resilience in climate change affected environments and consequently, help farmers in the Philippines and in Asian monsoon regions enjoy better yield. He is also recognized for his commitment to educating the next generation of crop scientists by mentoring many graduate, undergraduate, and high school students on root science. His consultative leadership has capacitated the Department of Agriculture-Crop Biotechnology Center by modernizing its facilities, and building capabilities of its researchers towards a high impact biotech research and development addressing climate change resilience of agricultural crops.
Birthdate: January 10, 1974
Educational Background:
- Ph.D. Agricultural Sciences - Nagoya University - 2008
- MS Agronomy - University of the Philippines Los Baños - 2002
- BS Agriculture - Visayas State College - 1994
Research Interest:
- Abiotic tolerance of plants to drought, soil moisture fluctuations and nutrient deficiency.
- Developmental and physiological responses of plant roots to drought stress.
- Genetic basis for plastic root system development and functions using genetic mapping populations.
- Photosynthetic efficiencies of rice under irrigated and unfavorable conditions.
- Development of screening methodologies for drought tolerance of plants under rainfed lowland and upland conditions.
- Reproductive stage drought tolerance in rice using functional stay-green characteristics.
- Development of rapid screening method for indirect evaluation of root plasticity under differentnstresses.
- Soil microbial-root interactions for improving plant performance under abiotic stresses.
- Development of crop management protocols for abiotic-stressed rice growing environments.
Honors and Awards Received:
- 2022 - Conferment of the rank of Career Scientist IV - DOST-CSC Scientific Career System
- 2022 - ISI Productivity Awards - PhilRice
- 2022 - Dr. Elvira 0. Tan Awards for Outstanding Published R and D Paper in Agriculture -Department of Science and Technology (DOST) - Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic Resources Research and Development (PCAARRD)
- 2022 - Distinguished Service Awards - Crop Science Society of the Philippines
- 2022 - Best Paper Award (Upstream Category)- Crop Science Society of the Philippines
- 2022 - Outstanding Scientific Paper Award - National Academy of Science and Technology
- 2022 - Achievement Awards (Agriculture and Forestry) - National Research Council of the Philippines
- 2021 - Upgraded to the Rank of Career Scientist III - DOST-CSC Scientific Career System
- 2020 - Eduardo A. Quisumbing Medal- Outstanding Research and Development Award for Basic Research - National Academy of Science and Technology
- 2019 - Outstanding Scientific Paper Award - National Academy of Science and Technology
- 2018 - Outstanding Published Paper in Plant Production - Crop Science Society Science Journal of Japan
- 2016 - Upgraded to the Rank of Career Scientist II - DOST-CSC Scientific Career System
- 2016 - Eduardo A. Quisumbing Medal (Research and Development Award for Basic Research) - National Academy of Science and Technology
- 2015 - 27th National Research Symposium Outstanding Scientific Paper (Basic Research) -DA-Bureau of Agricultural Research
- 2013 - Presidential Lingkod Bayan Award - Office of the President of the Republic of the Philippines
- 2012 - Confennent to the Rank of Career Scientist I - DOST-CSC Scientific Career System
- 2011 - Japan International A wards for Young - Ministry of Agricultural Researchers Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, Japan
- 2010 - Outstanding Young Scientist - National Academy of Science and Technology
- 2009 - Talent Search for Young Scientist - National Academy of Science and Technology
