Its raining awards once again for PhilRice's human resources.

PhilRice managers were given accolades by the Central Luzon State University (CLSU), while PhilRice researchers won best paper awards in two major national scientific conferences in Bohol.

Cited Most Outstanding Alumni for Science and Technology were Dr. Manuel G. Gaspar and Dr. Antonio A. Alfonso. Gaspar is cited for his work in hybrid rice seed production while Alfonso is known in local and international circles in the field of plant breeding and biotechnology with his groundbreaking work in Petunia.
A special citation was also given to Engr. Artemio B. Vasallo of the Technology Management and Services Division for placing the University on the top spot during the board exams for agriculture engineers in 1978.

Meanwhile, PhilRice researchers won best paper awards in two major national scientific conferences in Bohol.

Dr. Lina B. Flor-Weiler, head of the PhilRice Crop Protection Division, won the award for the research paper, Morphological and Molecular Characterization of an Entomopathogenic Fungus: Its Pathogenesis in Black-legged Ticks (Ixodes scapularis), during the 38th Annual Scientific Conference of the Pest Management Council of the Philippines. The paper, coauthored by Timothy J. Kurtti and Ulrike G. Munderloh of the University of Minnesota (UM), was a part of Dr. Weiler's Ph.D. dissertation at the UM.

The researchers isolated a Beauveria species fungus from a female black-legged tick, which is an important microbial control agent used against rice pests in different parts of the world. Ticks are vectors of pathogens that cause human and animal diseases.

At PhilRice, Dr. Weiler said that Beauveria could be used in spray or powder formulations to kill rice insect pests. The Crop Protection Division is currently growing Beauveria and other fungi as rice pest controls.

Another best paper awardee is A Model for Intellectual Property in Public Research and Development Institutions in the Philippines coauthored by Jane G. Payumo, Recille T. Galvez, Atty. Ronilo A. Beronio, and Dr. Leocadio S. Sebastian, which won during the 17th National Convention of the Philippine Association of Research Managers, Inc.

The paper highlighted the importance of intellectual property (IP) management in public research institutions like PhilRice. New ways in disseminating high quality standard technologies, improved networking capabilities, more fund sources, and incentives for its researchers and scientists are among the benefits of IP management.

Former PhilRice Executive Director Santiago R. Obien also received the Research for Leadership Excellence Award during the said conference. (With reports from Jaime A. Manalo IV)