Davao City—The Crop Science Society of the Philippines has awarded and recognized a scientist, research manager and teacher in national and international public and private institutions as an Honorary Fellow.
The CSSP has recognized Dr. Glenn B. Gregorio, currently the director of the Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture, for his significant contributions to crop science through his pioneering breeding research.
The award was presented during the 25th Federation of Crop Science Societies of the Philippines and 1st Federation of Plant Science Associations of the Philippines Scientific Conference held in September in Davao City.
Holding an annual scientific conference and publishing the Philippine Journal of Crop Science, the CSSP promotes human welfare through the discovery and dissemination of knowledge concerning the nature, utilization, improvement, and interrelationships of plants and their environment and the people.
According to the society, Gregorio was recognized for having led the development of at least 20 rice varieties with tolerance to abiotic stresses while at the International Rice Research Institute as Senior Plant Breeder.
Gregorio’s studies on the genetics and molecular mapping for salinity tolerance, and his development of rapid screening techniques resulted in the first batches of salt-tolerant varieties in the Philippines and other countries in Asia and Africa.
He also led a team that developed the iron-enhanced rice was proven to significantly increase levels of total body iron in the blood of women.
A prolific author, he has 112 scientific publications to date. He has also mentored many undergraduate and graduate students, and postdoctoral fellows in the Philippines and other countries.