Dr. Gibe is the second PHilMech researcher conferred with a scientist rank.
The scientist rank is given to 'highly qualified scientific personnel with productive R&D outputs and impact to the research community, for the benefit of incentives, rewards and career progression'. 'Scientific personnel engaged in research and development in the government service with master's degree and/or doctorate in natural sciences, engineering and technology, medical sciences, agricultural sciences, selected field of social sciences and other related disciplines as may be determined by the Scientific Career Council (SCC)' can apply for the said position.
Dr. Gibe is the chief science research specialist of the Laboratory Services Division of PHilMech.
He is engaged in research related to food safety with specialization on pesticide toxicology.
His R&D works on postharvest handling of grains and high-value crops management is being recognized by the scientific and academic community. There have been adopted by the industry.
According to him, one of his major contributions to the industry is the development of combinations of treatment for insecticide with decreased dosage but with enhanced results. "I undertook a research on pesticide resistance with emphasis on biochemical mechanisms in major pests in storage. Treatments of pesticides with decreased dosage but with enhanced activity were adopted for grain protection to address resistance problem."
His findings became the basis of the Department of Agriculture to release a directive for the adoption of the said treatment. "Also, these findings form part of the package of technologies for Integrated Pest Management (IPM) in stored commodities which is being disseminated by PHilMech," the new scientist added.
Dr. Gibe also developed recommendations on postharvest handling of winter squash during his postdoctoral assignment in the National Horticultural Research Institute under the Rural Development Administration in Korea.
At present, Dr. Gibe is the PHilMech commodity task force head for cacao wherein he leads the postharvest and mechanization R&D activities for the said high-value crop.