Republic of the Philippines
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Philippine Center for Postharvest
Development and Mechanization
CLSU Compound, Science City of Muñoz, Nueva Ecija

NEWS STORIES

New PHilMech head is a scientist
by Rodolfo P. Estigoy, PhD (July 26, 2016)
Dr. Dionisio G. Alvindia, Scientist III, is the new OIC Executive Director of PHilMech. The new Secretary of Agriculture, Emmanue “Manny” Pinol, designated Dr. Alvindia, in a special order dated July 1, 2016.

Dr. Alvindia rose from the ranks. In his journey of 30 years in research and development work, he started as a research aide but 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.

Highlighting his prolific scientific career are patents for two of his findings namely; bacteria (Bacillus amyloliquefaciens) and fungi (Trichoderma harzianum) that can be used to control banana crown rot. Currently, Dr. Alvindia is the principal researcher of the Biological Control Agents project which prevents postharvest diseases of tropical fruits through 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 has likewise served as referee, adviser and consultant to different international companies and an affiliate professor at the Central Luzon State University (CLSU) and De La Salle University. He graduated at 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.