Highly cited PhilRice scientist and crop physiologist Dr.
Rolando T. Cruz ended his 19 years of government service at the Institute,
January 23.
Dr. Cruz, who worked at the
Agronomy, Soils, and Plant Physiology Division (ASPPD), was responsible for
conducting systems analysis and simulation modelling for potential yield and
nitrogen optimization in irrigated rice systems.
In addition, he spent several
years developing practical field diagnostic tools for plant nutrient status and
evaluating chemical and physical properties of soil-plant-water interactions.
To date, Dr. Cruz is the most
cited PhilRice scientist with 1,221 citations both in local and international
refereed journals.
“When you are cited in
scientific literature, it means you are a recognized scientist both nationally
and internationally. Dr. Cruz gave PhilRice a name, and it’s a great honor for
our Institute,” said Dr. Eufemio T. Rasco, Jr., executive director.
He also led the development
of the PalayCheck System for irrigated rice ecosystems to increase on-farm rice
yields. PalayCheck is PhilRice’s banner program for favorable environments.
“PhilRice offers anyone the
chance to be with the farmers,” said Dr. Cruz during a short program organized
by the Institute. He cited the Institute as a “farmer-oriented” agency and
thanked his colleagues and the staff he worked with in the development of new
technologies for the farmers.
Dr. Cruz finished Bachelor of
Science in Agronomy and Master of Science in Agronomy and Crop Physiology from
the University of the Philippines Los Baños. He obtained his PhD in Agronomy,
Plant Physiology, and Soil-Plant-Water Relations from the Texas Agriculture and
Mechanical (A&M) University.
He also spent 10 years at
IRRI as a researcher and as a visiting research associate at the Michigan State
University for a year. He was conferred
Scientist I in the Scientific Career System in 2008. In 2010-2011, he was a
visiting professor at Charles Sturt University in New South Wales, Australia.
Dr. Cruz was born in Dapitan,
Manila and is based in Los Baños, Laguna. He will continue working for PhilRice
as a consultant and mentor of young researchers.
(PhilRiceNews)
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