UK's Queen honors scientists at Laguna's IRRI

Two British scientists working at the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) in Los Baños, Laguna are included in this year’s Honours List by Queen Elizabeth II.

 

Drs. Michael Jackson and John Sheehy have been awarded for services to international food science and agricultural research and development, the British Embassy in Manila said.

 

“I am delighted that this year’s Honours List includes these Britons who have made an exceptional contribution here in the Philippines. The honours conferred by The Queen recognise their tremendous work in the areas of science and agriculture. Their research work in climate-resilient crops is hugely important in terms of addressing the impacts of climate change. I offer my personal congratulations,” said British Ambassador Stephen Lillie.

 

In a news release, the Embassy said the two were feted for their work in "helping countries address food security by developing climate-resilient crops" at the IRRI.

 

Both have also been awarded an OBE, making them Officers of the Order of the British Empire.

 

"The Order of the British Empire recognises distinguished service to the arts and sciences, public services outside the Civil Service and work with charitable and welfare organisations of all kinds," it said.

 

Jackson worked for almost 40 years on the conservation and use of plant genetic resources for vital food crops.

 

He recently worked at IRRI in Los Baños, which conducts research to understand rice genetic diversity and uncover new genes and traits in rice that have the potential to help farmers face challenges brought about by climate change, pests and diseases.

 

In 2010, he retired from IRRI where he has worked since 2001.

 

"During this period Dr Jackson has had responsibility for a genebank containing varieties of rice collected over the last 50 years – a total of 112,000 different varieties from all over the world," the embassy said.

 

It added this genebank is one of the pillars of Asian and global food security, and is the biggest single rice collection in the world and is effectively the food heritage of Asia.

 

"This vital bank of genetic resources will make it possible for countries, and farmers, to develop varieties of rice that will suit individual country’s climates and their specific growing demands," it said.

 

Sheehy spent 15 years at IRRI working on some of the biggest challenges in agriculture and food security facing the planet today.

 

He was the lead scientist in the team that first confirmed the impact of higher temperatures on rice, finding that average rice yield could fall by 10 percent for every one degree increase in temperature – the first real evidence of the serious impact of global warming on the world’s food supply.

 

"This led him to his most important challenge: the C4 Rice Project.  This is about applying cutting edge science to discover the genes that will supercharge photosynthesis, boost food production and improve the lives of billions of poor people in the developing world," the embassy said.

 

The embassy said the C4 Consortium - established under the leadership of John Sheehy – is a group of multi-disciplinary scientists from advanced institutions around the world.

 

"Dr Sheehy’s vision is to use the genetic components already present in rice to develop strains that follow the more efficient ‘C4’ form of photosynthesis and so increase their yield," the embassy said.

 

IRRI is carrying out work in both climate change adaptation and mitigation.

 

The UK Government, through the Department for International Development (DfID) and the British Embassy in Manila, has supported IRRI projects in the past.

 

With the help of funding from DfiD, IRRI developed a flood-resistant rice variety known as Scuba rice, which can survive underwater for up to two weeks and recover once the waters subside.

 

Scuba rice was targeted at South Asia and has reached more than 100,000 Indian farmers. In 2008, the British Embassy’s Bilateral Programme supported IRRI research on Philippines rice security which provided evidence-based policy options.

 

IRRI has been using the PRECIS model developed by the UK's Hadley Centre to obtain climate change scenarios.

 

Honours are granted to outstanding people from every section of the community.

 

The UK honours system rewards people for merit, service or bravery. The highest honours bestow the title of “knight” or “dame” to the recipient.

 

Honours lists are published twice a year, at New Year and in mid-June on the date of The Queen's official birthday.

 

Almost 1,000 people have been recommended to The Queen for an award this year.

 

The 2012 New Year Honours list includes dance teachers, pharmacists, fashion designers, foster carers, head teachers, charity workers and Nobel-prize-winning scientists.

 

It also includes some famous faces, among them journalist Alex Crawford, actress Helena Bonham-Carter, writer Penelope Lively, writer/broadcaster/poet Clive James and Formula One racing driver Nigel Mansell. — TJD, GMA News