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HIGH-LEVEL ADVISORY COMMITTEE
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Chair
DR. JEAN BALIE
Director General
International Rice Research Institute
Jean Balié Chair, High-Level Advisory Committee International Rice Congress 2023 Dr. Jean Balié is the Director General of IRRI, and the Regional Director for South East Asia and Pacific of CGIAR. He has over two decades of experience developing policies for agriculture, food, and rural development, and has provided the global strategic direction for IRRI since 2019. As Chair of the IRC2023 Organizing Committee, Dr. Balié helps ensure the success of the congress by giving high-level strategic recommendations, endorsement, and promotion of the activities that will be executed under the four-day event.
Co-chair
MR. DOMINGO PANGANIBAN
Senior Undersecretary
Department of Agriculture
Currently the Senior Undersecretary of the Department of Agriculture (DA), Domingo F. Panganiban has been a Filipino public servant for over 35 years. He is a story of hard work, persistence, and dedication to be in the service of the Filipino people. Panganiban began his career in public service and worked his way through the ranks. In 1961, he started as a Plant Pest Control Worker of the Bureau of Plant Industry (BPI) in Zamboanga City until he was appointed as BPI Regional Director for Central Luzon under the administration of President Ferdinand E. Marcos, Sr. in 1969. He became the Philippine Ministry of Agriculture Deputy Executive Director for the National Food and Agriculture Council in 1973 and spearheaded the successful implementation of Masagana 99 that boosted rice production to record-high levels. In 1984, he was appointed Deputy Minister of the Ministry of Food and Agriculture. By 1986, Panganiban left the public service for the private sector as a consultant for Agriventures, Inc., Development Specialists, Inc., and Purefoods, Inc. He also joined the Food and Agriculture Organization as Policy Specialist in Rice Production Technology for Cambodia, Laos, and Vietnam. He returned to government service in 1996, when President Fidel V. Ramos appointed him Presidential Assistant for Agriculture. He became Agriculture Secretary in 2001 and in 2005. In October 2006, Panganiban was chosen as the Lead Convenor of the Philippine National Anti-Poverty Commission (NAPC). On August 12, 2022, President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. appointed Panganiban as the DA Senior Undersecretary and cited his expertise in the agriculture sector. Having served under five Philippine Presidents and being a strong advocate for the development of small farmers and fisherfolk, Panganiban’s hard work, productivity, and passion for public service earned him respect and countless recognitions over the years.
Alternate Co-chair
MS. MERCEDITA SOMBILLA
Undersecretary for Policy, Planning, and Regulations
Department of Agriculture
Undersecretary Sombilla began serving as the Undersecretary for Policy, Planning, Research, and Regulations at the Department of Agriculture in July 2022. Before joining the Department, she served as the Undersecretary for the Regional Development Group at the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA), which is the primary socioeconomic planning agency of the country. In 2012, she returned to government service after working as a dedicated researcher for several years. During her time as a researcher, she collaborated with esteemed international organizations including the International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI) located in the United States, the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) located in the Philippines, and the Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (SEARCA), also located in the Philippines. She has dedicated her focus to policy studies concerning the development of the agriculture sector, with a particular emphasis on the rice sub-sector. Her ultimate goal is to enhance the well-being of rural households. She worked as a full-time researcher while also providing consultation services to different development partners such as the Asian Development Bank (ADB), World Bank (WB), International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), Australian Center for International Agricultural Research (ACIAR), the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), and various governments including Indonesia, Vietnam, Malaysia, and the Philippines. Undersecretary Sombilla is a graduate of the University of the Philippines, Diliman, where she earned her Bachelor's degree in Mathematics and Master's degree in Economics. She is a holder of a Doctor of Philosophy in Agricultural Economics from the University of Minnesota, USA.
Alternate Co-chair
DR. LEOCADIO SEBASTIAN
Undersecretary for Rice Industry Development of the Department of Agriculture
Dr. Sebastian currently serves as the Undersecretary for Rice Industry Development of the Department of Agriculture(DA), Republic of the Philippines, with a wealth of experience from his time as DA’s Undersecretary for Research Innovation, Training, and Extension Service (RITES) and Chief of Staff; Regional Program Leader for CGIAR Research Program on Climate Change, Agriculture and Food Security (CCAFS) Southeast Asia; IRRI Representative in Vietnam; Regional Director, Bioversity International; and Executive Director of the Philippine Rice Research Institute (PhilRice). His impressive accolades, including prestigious awards from the Philippines and abroad, speak to his expertise in the field. In his role on the IRC, Dr. Sebastian provides high-level strategic recommendations, endorsement, and promotion of the Congress’ activities.
Member
DR. JOSE CAMACHO, JR.
Chancellor
University of the Philippines, Los Baños
Dr. Jose V. Camacho, Jr. is the 10th chancellor of UPLB. He was the dean of the Graduate School (GS) from February 2012 to October 31 2020, and a professor of economics at the College of Economics and Management (CEM). He has expertise in Economics of Education, Labor, and Human Resource Economics As an ambassador of the IRC 2023 Advisory Committee, Dr. Camacho will endorse and promote the event within the University of the Philippines and institutional linkages. He will also contribute by providing inputs in the strategic direction of the event. Dr. Camacho specified the need to future-proof UPLB’s human resources, lifelong learning and instruction system, research and innovation system, commitment to public good and social welfare, and global engagement.
Member
DR. JOHN DE LEON
Executive Director
Philippine Rice Research Institute
Dr. John C. de Leon is the Executive Director of PhilRice. He has more than 30 years of experience in plant breeding and commercial seed product development, in managing public and private sector R&D, as well as in working with cross functional talents in national, international, and multinational programs or organizations. As a member of the IRC2023 Advisory Committee, Dr. de Leon provides high-level promotional support and organizational management including addressing local concerns.
Member
ARNEL DE MESA
Assistant Secretary for Operations
Philippine Department of Agriculture
Member
VENER DILIG
Regional Technical Director for Research and Regulations, RFO 4B MIMAROPA
Philippine Department of Agriculture
Member
CAO ĐỨC PHÁT
Chair, Board of Trustees
International Rice Research Institute
Dr. Cao Duc Phat, a member of the Board Of Trustees of IRRI. He has four decades of experience developing policies and managing agriculture, food, and rural development. He became a member of the Board of Trustee of IRRI since 2019, Vice Chair in 2021, Chair since May 2022. As a memberr of the IRC2023 Organizing Committee, Dr. Phat helps ensure the success of the congress by giving high-level recommendations, endorsement, and promotion of the activities that will be executed under the four-day event.
Member
DR. GLENN GREGORIO
Director
Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (SEARCA)
Professor at the Institute of Crop Science at the University of the Philippines Los Baños and currently the Center Director of Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (SEAMEO-SEARCA). His career was developed at International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) as Geneticist and Senior Plant Breeder for 29 years. He had a 3-year stint as crop breeding manager in a private Seed Company. He is a co-Founder of Binhi Inc, an agri-research start-up company on micropropagation and seed business. To date, he has published more than 120 publications. Conferred Academician by the National Academy of Science and Technology Philippines. He is the Chair of the Technical Panel for Agriculture of the Philippine Commission on Higher Education. In 2021, he was declared as United Nations Food Systems Summit (UNFSS) Champion, and Filipino Faces of Biotechnology. And recently awarded as 2022 University of the Philippines Most Distinguished Alunmus.
Member
U-NICHOLS MANALO
OIC Director, Field Operations Service
Philippine Department of Agriculture
Member
LINDIWE SIBANDA
Chair
Consortium of International Agricultural Research Center System Board
Lindiwe Majele Sibanda is an animal scientist and a practicing farmer, serving as a policy advisor to numerous African governments and global institutions. She serves on the Nestlé Board and as Chair of the Council at the National University of Science and Technology in Zimbabwe and as Extra Ordinary Professor at the University of Pretoria, South Africa. She is an Associate Fellow at Chatham House, and member of Champions 12.3, accelerating progress on UN Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) target 12.3, halving global per capita food waste. She was appointed to the CGIAR System Board in April 2021.
Member
PROF. PAUL TENG
Managing Director and Dean
Nanyang Technology University Singapores
Professor Paul Teng is Managing Director and Dean, NIE International, and concurrently Adjunct Senior Fellow (Food Security), Centre for Non-Traditional Security Studies/RSIS, Nanyang Technological University Singapore. He has held leadership positions at agricultural research organizations, universities, non-profits and the private sector and worked in over forty countries on food security and sustainable development issues. He brings to IRC2023 his current experiences in agtech, biotech and fintech to solve rice farming and decarbonization problems, and will ensure IRC2023 has a strong multi-stakeholder orientation.
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OVERALL ORGANIZING COMMITTEE
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Chair
BAS BOUMAN
Research Director - Sustainable Impact through Rice-based Systems
International Rice Research Institute
Dr. Bouman is currently the Research Director of the Sustainable Impact through Rice-based Systems (SIRS) research directorate of IRRI. An internationally-recognized agricultural engineer and agro-ecologist, Dr. Bouman has over 35 years of expertise in the fields of sustainable agricultural development and food security, and over his career has held principal governance and advisory positions in various research bodies across the CGIAR Organization. As Chair of the IRC Overall Organizing Committee, Dr. Bouman supervises all key aspects of event administration and management, providing his seasoned leadership and guidance in organizing a major international scientific congress.
Co-chair
DR. JOHN DE LEON
Co-chair
Philippine Rice Research Institute
Dr. John C. de Leon is the Executive Director of PhilRice. He has more than 30 years of experience in plant breeding and commercial seed product development, in managing public and private sector R&D, as well as in working with cross functional talents in national, international, and multinational programs or organizations. As a member of the IRC2023 Advisory Committee, Dr. de Leon provides high-level promotional support and organizational management including addressing local concerns.
Member
JOANNA KANE-POTAKA
Deputy Director General – Strategy, Engagement and Impact
International Rice Research Institute
Joanna Kane-Potaka holds the position of Deputy Director General for Strategy, Engagement, and Impact where she is tasked with leading institutional strategy development by overseeing the Regional and Country Representations; Communications and Advocacy; Portfolio Development and Management office; IRRI Technology Transfer; and IRRI Education. She has previously worked with four CGIAR centers in the past – WorldFish, Bioversity, International Water Management Institute (IWMI), and most recently at International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT) where she has exemplified her leadership qualities in the field of international development. Through her years of experience in global leadership and marketing, she will be supporting the Organizing Committee with her strategic management and communication between and among the Congress’ partners locally and internationally.
Member
AJAY KOHLI
Deputy Director General – Research Delivery and Innovations
International Rice Research Institute
Dr. Kohli is the IRRI Deputy Director General for Research Delivery and Innovations, a position that involves overseeing the different research Departments and managing the quality and delivery of research activities at the institute. Dr. Kohli has over 32 years of experience and expertise in bridging upstream research to applied sciences, with a focus on developing technologies and innovations for agricultural impact, particularly in rice-based food systems. As Chair of the IRC Program Committee, Dr. Kohli leads the planning and development of the various events, programs, and activities across the 4-day conference. Much like his role at IRRI, he will also oversee the quality of the scientific content and presentations, ensuring that they align with the themes and objectives set by the congress.
Member
ALICE LABORTE
Philippine Research Coordinator, and Senior Scientist II – Geospatial Science Sustainable Impact through Rice-based Systems Department
AInternational Rice Research Institute
Alice Laborte is a Senior Scientist, leader of the Digital and Spatial Landscape Transformation Research Unit, and the Research Coordinator for the Philippines at the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI). She leads an interdisciplinary team with expertise in geographic information systems (GIS), remote sensing, crop modeling, digital agriculture, and precision farming. Her research focuses on the use of spatial information to generate evidence, actionable information, and insights to inform policy, research prioritization, and effective targeting and scaling of innovations. She holds a Ph.D. in Production Ecology and Resource Conservation from Wageningen University, The Netherlands, a Master of Geographical Information Systems from the University of Queensland, Australia, and a Bachelor of Science in Statistics from the University of the Philippines at Los Banos.
Member
ANTHONY OBLIGADO
OIC Assistant Director Bureau of Agricultural Research
Philippine Department of Agriculture
- assists in the implementation of BAR-funded projects/programs on Research and Development of the Department of Agriculture - overall implementer of the Technology Commercialization Program of DA-BAR, a priority program of the DA which promotes/disseminates developed technologies for the utilization of farmers and fisherfolk - overall implementer of the Agricultural Competitiveness Enhancement Fund (ACEF) Program which develops and commercializes technologies to transform the agriculture sector from resource-based to technology-based intervention
Member
LOTTE PANG
Managing Director, Communications and Outreach
CGIAR
Member
SHERWIN PINEDA
Head, Communications and Advocacy
International Rice Research Institute
Mr. Pineda is the Head of Communications and Advocacy at IRRI. Communications professional with over 20 years of experience in advertising, marketing, and web development, Mr. Pineda has spent over 12 years with the institute, earning a CGIAR Fellowship at Montpellier, France before coming back to IRRI to help lead and restructure the communications department into an integrated team of multi-disciplinary specialists. As Chair of the IRC Local Organizing Committee, Mr. Pineda oversees the localized aspects of the congress, such as venue acquisition, event and supplier logistics, partner engagement, marketing, and more, ensuring that all the details are taken care of for a successful congress.
Member
ALVIN PONCIN
Chief of Staff, and Head of Portfolio Development and Management Office
International Rice Research Institute
AJ Poncin is IRRI’s Chief of Staff and the Head of its Portfolio Development and Management Office. In his role as Chief of Staff, he is a Strategic Advisor to the Director General and acts as the institute's liaison to IRRI’s Board of Trustees. As Head of the Portfolio Development and Management Office, he oversees strategic partnership engagement, proposal development, and grant management. Prior to working at IRRI, Mr. Poncin was the Head of Portfolio Management at the International Water Management Institute, another member of the CGIAR that is based in Colombo, Sri Lanka. Mr. Poncin will share his expertise in creating new partnerships and strengthening the existing networks, which can help achieve success for IRC2023.
Member
JOSEPH SANDRO
Assistant Scientist - Agricultural Engineering Sustainable Impact through Rice-based Systems
International Rice Research Institute
Engr. Joseph M. Sandro is an Assistant Scientist at IRRI. He has a demonstrated working experience as an expert in agricultural mechanization, postharvest, precision agriculture and agronomy over a decade. His experience in working with the local institutions and different agencies under the Department of Agriculture and the private sectors will be instrumental in his role a member of the overall advisory committee. He will also serve as a key person in helping DLG in its promotion of tradeshow to private sectors in the Philippines.
Member
MARCO VAN DEN BERG
Senior Specialist II – Chief Information Officer
International Rice Research Institute
Marco van den Berg is IRRI’s Chief Information Officer. He has extensive international experience in private and non-profit sectors and a proven track record in new technology adoption. As part of the overall organizing committee, Marco will provide his expertise to ensure that the congress is able to use the most optimal technology to deliver the best experience to its participants.
Member
CARMEL LOIS VELARDE
Financial Controller
International Rice Research Institute
Project Manager
MISHEL CICERON
Engagement Manager
International Rice Research Institute
Mishel Ciceron leads the Engagements team of IRRI. With over a decade of experience in project management and events coordination, she manages a team of specialists and ensures that IRRI’s events and engagements align with the institutional strategy, and bring value to the overall goal of IRRI. Mishel has been part of the organizing team of previous IRCs. In her role as project manager for IRC2023, she ensures that the overall requirements of the event are well-identified, carefully executed, and delivered at the most optimal time.
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OVERALL PROGRAM AND SCIENCE COMMITTEE
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Chair
AJAY KOHLI
Deputy Director General – Research Delivery and Innovations
International Rice Research Institute
Dr. Kohli is the IRRI Deputy Director General for Research Delivery and Innovations, a position that involves overseeing the different research Departments and managing the quality and delivery of research activities at the institute. Dr. Kohli has over 32 years of experience and expertise in bridging upstream research to applied sciences, with a focus on developing technologies and innovations for agricultural impact, particularly in rice-based food systems. As Chair of the IRC Program Committee, Dr. Kohli leads the planning and development of the various events, programs, and activities across the 4-day conference. Much like his role at IRRI, he will also oversee the quality of the scientific content and presentations, ensuring that they align with the themes and objectives set by the congress.
Co-chair
BAS BOUMAN
Research Director - Sustainable Impact through Rice-based Systems
International Rice Research Institute
Dr. Bouman is currently the Research Director of the Sustainable Impact through Rice-based Systems (SIRS) research directorate of IRRI. An internationally-recognized agricultural engineer and agro-ecologist, Dr. Bouman has over 35 years of expertise in the fields of sustainable agricultural development and food security, and over his career has held principal governance and advisory positions in various research bodies across the CGIAR Organization. As Chair of the IRC Overall Organizing Committee, Dr. Bouman supervises all key aspects of event administration and management, providing his seasoned leadership and guidance in organizing a major international scientific congress.
Co-chair
DR. JOHN DE LEON
Executive Director
Philippine Rice Research Institute
Dr. John C. de Leon is the Executive Director of PhilRice. He has more than 30 years of experience in plant breeding and commercial seed product development, in managing public and private sector R&D, as well as in working with cross functional talents in national, international, and multinational programs or organizations. As a member of the IRC2023 Advisory Committee, Dr. de Leon provides high-level promotional support and organizational management including addressing local concerns.
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INTERNATIONAL RICE RESEARCH CONFERENCE – PROGRAM AND SCIENCE COMMITTEE
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Chair
ALICE LABORTE
Philippine Research Coordinator, and Senior Scientist II – Geospatial Science Sustainable Impact through Rice-based Systems Department
International Rice Research Institute
Alice Laborte is a Senior Scientist, leader of the Digital and Spatial Landscape Transformation Research Unit, and the Research Coordinator for the Philippines at the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI). She leads an interdisciplinary team with expertise in geographic information systems (GIS), remote sensing, crop modeling, digital agriculture, and precision farming. Her research focuses on the use of spatial information to generate evidence, actionable information, and insights to inform policy, research prioritization, and effective targeting and scaling of innovations. She holds a Ph.D. in Production Ecology and Resource Conservation from Wageningen University, The Netherlands, a Master of Geographical Information Systems from the University of Queensland, Australia, and a Bachelor of Science in Statistics from the University of the Philippines at Los Banos.
Co-chair
AJAY KOHLI
Deputy Director General – Research Delivery and Innovations
International Rice Research Institute
Dr. Kohli is the IRRI Deputy Director General for Research Delivery and Innovations, a position that involves overseeing the different research Departments and managing the quality and delivery of research activities at the institute. Dr. Kohli has over 32 years of experience and expertise in bridging upstream research to applied sciences, with a focus on developing technologies and innovations for agricultural impact, particularly in rice-based food systems. As Chair of the IRC Program Committee, Dr. Kohli leads the planning and development of the various events, programs, and activities across the 4-day conference. Much like his role at IRRI, he will also oversee the quality of the scientific content and presentations, ensuring that they align with the themes and objectives set by the congress.
Co-chair
DR. JOHN DE LEON
Executive Director
Philippine Rice Research Institute
Dr. John C. de Leon is the Executive Director of PhilRice. He has more than 30 years of experience in plant breeding and commercial seed product development, in managing public and private sector R&D, as well as in working with cross functional talents in national, international, and multinational programs or organizations. As a member of the IRC2023 Advisory Committee, Dr. de Leon provides high-level promotional support and organizational management including addressing local concerns.
Member
SANKALP BHOSALE
Deputy Head, Rice Breeding and Innovation, and Research Leader, Product Development and Varietal Replacement* Rice Breeding and Innovation Department
International Rice Research Institute
Member
FIDELA BONGAT
Development Management Officer V
Philippine Rice Research Institute
Member
FLORDELIZA BORDEY
Deputy Executive Director for Special Concerns on the Implementation of the Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund
Philippine Rice Research Institute
Member
LEYLANI JULIANO
Chief Science Research Specialist
Philippine Rice Research Institute
Member
STEPHEN KLASSEN
Senior Scientist I – Digital Agriculture and Precision Farming Sustainable Impact through Rice-based Systems Department
International Rice Research Institute
Member
VIRENDER KUMAR
Senior Scientist II – Weed Science and Systems, and Agronomy and Research Leader – Climate-adaptive Agronomy and Mechanization Sustainable Impact through Rice-based Systems Department
International Rice Research Institute
Member
JAIME MANALO IV
Supervising Science Research Specialist
Philippine Rice Research Institute
Member
OLIVER MANANGKIL
Chief Science Research Specialist
Philippine Rice Research Institute
Member
KATHERINE NELSON
Scientist II – Climate Change Sustainable Impact through Rice-based Systems Department
International Rice Research Institute
Member
RICARDO ORGE
Chief Science Research Specialist
Philippine Rice Research Institute
Member
VALERIEN PEDE
Senior Scientist II – Agricultural Economics Sustainable Impact through Rice-based Systems Department
International Rice Research Institute
Member
RANJITHA PUSKUR
Research Leader – Gender and Livelihoods Sustainable Impact through Rice-based Systems Department
International Rice Research Institute
Member
EDUARDO JIMMY QUILANG
OIC-Deputy Executive Director for Research
Philippine Rice Research Institute
Member
MARISSA ROMERO
Chief Science Research Specialist/Scientist 1
Philippine Rice Research Institute
Member
NESE SREENIVASULU
Senior Scientist II, Grain Quality and Nutrition Center Rice Breeding and Innovation Department
International Rice Research Institute
Member
PRAKASHAN CHELLATTAN VEETTIL
Senior Scientist I – Agricultural and Behavioral Economics Sustainable Impact through Rice-based Systems Department
International Rice Research Institute
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INTERNATIONAL HYBRID RICE SYMPOSIUM – SCIENTIFIC COMMITTEE
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Chair
JAUHAR ALI
Senior Scientist II – Hybrid Rice Breeding Rice Breeding and Innovation Department
International Rice Research Institute
Jauhar Ali Chair, Organizing Committee of the 8th International Hybrid Rice Symposium, a part of the International Rice Congress 2023. Dr. Jauhar Ali is the Leader of the Hybrid Rice Technologies for Seed Industry Unit and Head of the Hybrid Rice Development Consortium (HRDC). He has over three decades of experience developing and deploying molecular-bred multi-stress tolerant inbred and hybrid rice varieties. He has provided the necessary impetus with his dynamic leadership and direction to the hybrid rice technology by bringing out a series of climate-resilient two-line and three-line hybrids. He has released over 71 multi-stress tolerant inbred varieties and 23 hybrids globally. He has published over 100 publications. As Chair of the 8th IHRS Organizing Committee, Dr. Ali helps ensure the success of the IHRS by giving direction, strategic recommendations, endorsement, and promotion of the activities that will be executed under the two-day event followed by the HRDC annual workshop.
Member
RAAFAT EL-NAMAKY
Plant Breeder
Rice Research and Training Center, Egypt
Member
MICHAEL FREI
Professor of Agronomy and Crop Physiology
ustus-Liebig University, Germany
Member
MA GUOHUI
Deputy Director General, China
National Hybrid Rice R&D Center or Hunan Hybrid Rice Research Center
Member
VIRENDER KUMAR
Research Leader – Climate-adaptive Agronomy and Mechanization Sustainable Impact through Rice-based Systems Department
International Rice Research Institute
Member
ZHIKANG LI
Chief Scientist
Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences
Member
HU PEISONG
Professor, Director General
China National Rice Research Institute (CNRRI)
Member
A.S. HARI PRASAD
Head and Principal Scientist
Indian Council of Agricultural Research – Indian Institute of Rice Research (ICAR-IIRR)
Member
YOG RAJ
Rice Breeding Commercial Lead Asia
Bayer CropScience
Member
STANLEY OMAR SAMONTE
Associate Professor in Hybrid Rice Breeding
Texas A&M University
Member
TILAK RAJ SHARMA
Deputy Director General
Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR)
Member
ASHOK KUMAR SINGH
Director
Indian Agricultural Research Institute (IARI)
Member
R. M. SUNDARAM
Director
Indian Council of Agricultural Research – Indian Institute of Rice Research (ICAR-IIRR)
Member
RAM BARAN YADAV
National Rice Coordinator
Nepal Agricultural Research Council
Member
MUHAMMAD YOUSUF
National Coordinator (Rice)
Pakistan Agricultural Research Council
Member
QIFA ZHANG
Professor
College of Life Science and Technology Huazhong Agricultural University
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INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON BACTERIAL BLIGHT IN RICE – PROGRAM AND SCIENTIFIC COMMITTEE
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Chair
CASIANA M. VERA CRUZ
Former Senior Scientist II, Plant Pathology Genetics and Biotechnology Division
International Rice Research Institute
Co-chair
VAN SCHEPLER-LUU
Scientist II – Plant Pathology and Host Plant Resistance Rice Breeding Innovation Department
International Rice Research Institute
Dr. Van Schepler-Luu is the Plant Pathology and Host Plant Resistance lead of IRRI. She has a wide range of experiences in plant pathology, plant-microbe interactions, molecular and chemical biology of plant diseases. Her group works on multiple bacterial, fungal and viral diseases of rice and focuses on the discovery of new disease-resistance genes that are useful for improving rice disease resistance. As a co-chair of the ICBB, Dr. Schepler-Luu helps to develop the program, inviting speakers, reviewing the abstracts as well as all relevant aspects for the.
Co-chair
JAGJEET LORE
Principal Plant Pathologist (Rice) Department of Plant Breeding & Genetics
Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana, India
Dr. Jagjeet Singh Lore is currently a member of the International Organizing Committee and co-chair of the ICBB-07. He currently works as the Principal Plant Pathologist (Rice) in the Department of Plant Breeding & Genetics, PAU, Ludhiana, India. Prior to this, he was an Assistant Plant Pathologist at Punjab Agricultural University (PAU).
Member
ADAM BOGDANOVE
Professor, School of Integrative Plant Science Plant Pathology and Plant-Microbe Biology Section
College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Cornell University, USA
Member
GONGYOU CHEN
Professor, School of Agriculture and Biology
Shanghai Jiao Tong University, China
Member
JOHN DE LEON
Executive Director
Philippine Rice Research Institute
Dr. John C. de Leon is the Executive Director of PhilRice. He has more than 30 years of experience in plant breeding and commercial seed product development, in managing public and private sector R&D, as well as in working with cross functional talents in national, international, and multinational programs or organizations. As a member of the IRC2023 Advisory Committee, Dr. de Leon provides high-level promotional support and organizational management including addressing local concerns.
Member
WOLF FROMMER
Alexander von Humboldt Professor Heinrich Heine University, Dusseldorf, Germany
Visiting Professor and Principal Investigator Institute for Transformative Biomolecules Nagoya University, Japan
Member
ABDELBAGI ISMAIL
Principal Scientist, Plant Physiologist, Regional Director, IRRI-Africa
International Rice Research Institute
Member
LIN-WOO KANG
Professor
Department of Biological Sciences, Konkuk University, Korea
Member
JAN E. LEACH
Associate Dean for Research, College of Agricultural Sciences, and University Distinguished Professor
Colorado State University, USA
Member
RICARDO OLIVA
Plant Pathologist
World Vegetable Center, Taiwan
Member
BORIS SZUREK
Institute of Research for Development (IRD)
PHIM - Plant Health Institute of Montpellier, Montpellier, France
Member
TRAN NGOC THACH
Director
Cuu Long Delta Rice Research Institute Vietnam
Member
SEIJI TSUGE
Professor
Kyoto Prefectural University, Kyoto, Japan
Member
VALERIE VERDIER
Chairwoman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer
French National Research Institute for Sustainable Development (IRD- France)
Member
FRANK F. WHITE
Preeminent Professor
Department of Plant Pathology University of Florida, USA
Member
BING YANG
Professor, Division of Plant Sciences, University of Missouri, USA
Member and Principal Investigator, Donald Danforth Plant Science Center, Missouri, USA
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SUSTAINABLE RICE PLATFORM SYMPOSIUM – PROGRAM COMMITTEE
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Chair
WYN ELLIS
Executive Director
Sustainable Rice Platform
Dr Wyn Ellis is Executive Director of the Sustainable Rice Platform, a global multi-stakeholder initiative convened in 2011 by UNEP, IRRI and private sector partners. SRP works with its 100+ member organizations and scaling partners across the stakeholder spectrum to develop standards and tools to promote smallholder adoption of climate-smart sustainable best practice in rice. In 2015 SRP launched the world’s first sustainability standard for rice; SRP-Verified rice is now available in supermarkets in 20+ countries across the EU. Dr Ellis has lived in Asia for 38 years and devoted his career to sustainable development, working with UN and other development agencies, as well as public and private clients in diverse fields including organic agriculture, sustainable food systems, climate change and certification schemes.
Co-Chair
BAS BOUMAN
Research Director - Sustainable Impact through Rice-based Systems
International Rice Research Institute
Dr. Bouman is currently the Research Director of the Sustainable Impact through Rice-based Systems (SIRS) research directorate of IRRI. An internationally-recognized agricultural engineer and agro-ecologist, Dr. Bouman has over 35 years of expertise in the fields of sustainable agricultural development and food security, and over his career has held principal governance and advisory positions in various research bodies across the CGIAR Organization. As Chair of the IRC Overall Organizing Committee, Dr. Bouman supervises all key aspects of event administration and management, providing his seasoned leadership and guidance in organizing a major international scientific congress.
Member
ROONG TEPKAEW
Communications and Membership Manager
Sustainable Rice Platform