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Agriculture Secretary Emmanuel” Manny” Piñol has appointed Dr. Dionisio G. Alvindia, a scientist from within the ranks of the Philippine Center for Postharvest Development and Mechanization (PhilMech) as the agency’s Officer-in-Charge Director IV.

Piñol issued a special order dated July 1, 2016 to appoint Dr. Alvindia, who has a rank of Scientist III, as the OIC Director of PhilMech. Dr. Alvindia succeeds Engr. Rex L. Bingabing who goes back to the private sector.

Dr.Alvindia rose from the ranks and has more than 30 years in research and development (R&D) work. Starting off as a research aide, he prepared himself academically to become a full-fledged scientist in the field of postharvest pathology and mycology.

“He is considered by his peers and colleagues in this field of specialization as ‘outstanding scientist’ having contributed several noble discoveries and breakthroughs in recent years of his scientific work,” said Dr. Rodolfo P. Estigoy, head of the Applied Communications Division of PhilMech.

Highlighting  his prolific scientific career are patents for two of his findings namely: bacteria (Bacillus amyloliquefaciens); and fungi (Trichodermaharzianum) that both can be used to control banana crown rot.

Prior to his appointment by Piñol, Dr.Alvindia was the principal researcher of the Biological Control Agents Project of PhilMech aimed at preventing postharvest diseases of tropical fruits where has discovered alternative control methods using microorganisms and GRAS (generally regarded as safe) compounds, food additives and hot water treatments. His approach to research includes integration of these components with improvement of cultural practices.

To his credit, he has published three books, two for international circulation namely: Postharvest Diseases of Non-Chemical Bananas: Issues and Concerns and Non- Chemical Approaches of Managing Crown Rot Disease of Banana, published by Lambert Academic Publications in 2012 and 2013 respectively; and Fungal Diversity of Non-chemical banana and its environs in the Philippines: A Handbook for Taxonomists and Para-taxonomists published by PhilMech in 2011. He has also written technical papers in both refereed and non-refereed journals. He likewise served as referee, adviser and consultant to different international companies and is an affiliate professor at the Central Luzon State University (CLSU) and De La Salle University.

He graduated from CLSU with the degree of BS in Agriculture in 1984. He took his graduate and post-graduate degrees at the prestigious Tokyo University of Agriculture in 2000 and 2003, respectively.

He was conferred Scientist I position by the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) in 2011 and was promoted to higher ranks after every other  two years because of his fruitful R&D work in postharvest pathology.

In 2015, he was also conferred the PPS G.O Ocfemia Outstanding Plant Pathology Award in Research in recognition of his R&D work in postharvest pathology. (DA-PhilMech Communication Team)image

Reference:

 Dr. Rodrigo Estigoy
 Head,  Applied Communication Division, PhilMech
 Mobile:  0920-9014719