Myrish Pacleb

1. Research and Project Management

• Collaborate with the team lead to plan and establish annual field trials for dry and wet seasons, including yield evaluations of elite japonica breeding lines, seed purification, crossing blocks for parent selection, and pedigree nurseries (F1–F5) for generation advancement.
• Oversee field trial execution with research technicians to ensure accuracy and compliance with protocols across cropping seasons.
• Coordinate with internal service units for seamless trial operations and resource allocation.
• Support experiments focused on improving japonica rice tolerance to biotic stresses—including blast, tungro, brown planthopper (BPH), bacterial leaf blight (BLB), and pre-harvest sprouting (PHS)—through activities such as genotyping, selecting promising lines for further observation, and coordinating follow-up evaluations.
• Work includes contribute to the planning and managing of the field trial operations for DS and WS. Activities include field layout preparation, seed list preparation, EBS works including creation of studies and harvest information, seeding, pulling, transplanting, harvest, OCS request, field data collections and processing of data for advancement; attending BOT monthly meetings, generation of forecast volume, and other works the scientist might especially need.
• Liaise with external collaborators to establish multi-location trials across Southeast Asia for screening japonica rice lines under diverse environments, ensuring proper trial design, resource coordination, and adherence to protocols for reliable data collection.

2. Data Management and Analysis

• Perform advanced statistical analyses to validate experimental results and identify trends, using R for data processing, modeling, and visualization—including ANOVA, mixed linear models, regression analysis, and correlation studies—and Bioflow (a specialized tool for multi-environment and multi-trial analysis) to assess genotype performance across diverse locations and seasons.
• Independently summarize findings into clear, actionable insights to support breeding decisions and future research directions.
• Interpret complex datasets collaboratively with the research team and provide data-driven recommendations for experimental design and genetic improvement strategies based on statistical modeling and multi-environment analysis.

3. Database and Collaboration

• Maintain accurate data records and update centralized databases using IRRI’s Enterprise Breeding System (EBS) for efficient storage, retrieval, and long-term traceability of breeding information.
• Coordinate with partners to ensure timely data sharing, research alignment, and compliance with established protocols.

4. Leadership and Training

• Provide leadership and guidance to Research Technicians by supervising daily activities, supporting professional development, and conducting performance evaluations.
• Serve as a resource person for training programs and facilitate knowledge sharing with visitors and stakeholders.

5. Scientific Communication and Knowledge Sharing

• Contribute to the preparation of annual project reports and peer-reviewed journal manuscripts.
• Develop posters and PowerPoint presentations for local and international conferences, ensuring clarity and scientific rigor.
• Actively participate in scientific workshops and conferences, presenting research findings through papers and posters to diverse audiences.

• Planned and executed seed storage experiments to evaluate seed longevity, including seed equilibration, moisture content (MC) and relative humidity (RH) determination, sowing, and systematic data collection.
• Planned and executed research on molecular mechanisms underlying seed longevity by performing RNA extraction, DNase treatment, cDNA synthesis, and qRT-PCR using Light Cycler to identify candidate genes associated with seed viability.
• Conducted research on biochemical traits associated with seed longevity by screening antioxidant activity through spectrophotometric analysis and identifying key compounds via fractionation and GC-MS, providing insights to improve seed storage and conservation strategies.
• Organized and streamlined protocols for seed viability assessment under varying storage conditions, making them clear and easy to follow for colleagues within the project.
• Collaborated with gene bank teams to integrate findings into seed management practices, enhancing efficiency and reliability of germplasm conservation.
• Delivered training to scholars, interns, and visiting researchers on a range of biochemical and molecular analysis techniques, ensuring skill development and adherence to research standards.
• Served as a resource person for workshops on seed conservation science, contributing expertise to build capacity in genetic resource management.
• Led and supervised research technicians in daily laboratory and field activities, ensuring timely completion of experiments and maintaining high-quality data integrity.
• Contributed to the preparation and refinement of peer-reviewed manuscripts and scientific posters for dissemination of seed longevity research findings.

• Performed construction of a BAC (Bacterial Artificial Chromosome) library as part of the allele mining for salt tolerance project to confirm gene function, including DNA isolation, digestion, size selection of DNA fragments, ligation into BAC vector, transformation into host cells, and media preparation; coordinated sequencing with external service providers.
• Executed plant biochemical analyses on rice for stress tolerance screening, including non-structural carbohydrate and chlorophyll content measurements for flooding tolerance assessment, Na+/K+ analysis for evaluating salt exclusion mechanisms in salt-tolerant varieties, and Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS) and antioxidant enzyme assays (Catalase, Peroxidase, Superoxide Dismutase) in roots to assess oxidative stress response during anaerobic germination screening.
• Conducted phenotypic screening for salinity and flooding stress in rice, including seedling management, solution preparation, monitoring EC/pH, and data collection to support stress-tolerance breeding.
• Performed data analysis and synthesized results into clear, impactful visual presentations, contributing to poster preparation for national and international conferences.
• Acted as a resource person in phenotyping workshops for salinity stress by delivering hands-on demonstrations for laboratory and greenhouse experiments, and trained scholars and interns in greenhouse and laboratory techniques.

• Performed genotyping of IR64 mutants for bacterial blight and blast resistance through DNA extraction, PCR amplification, and gel electrophoresis. Generated high-quality molecular data for hundreds of samples, which served as a foundation for marker-assisted selection strategies, significantly contributing to the breeding pipeline for developing disease-resistant rice varieties.
• Supported large-scale blast tolerance screening of hundreds of rice varieties and assisted in hybridization activities to advance disease-resistance breeding. Managed critical field operations—including seed preparation, sowing, harvesting, and biomass data collection for experimental lines—ensuring accurate phenotypic data and smooth execution of breeding trials.
• Conducted chlorophyll readings and vein density assessments for the C4 Rice project, contributing to a comprehensive physiological trait database aimed at enabling the development of C4 rice for enhanced photosynthetic efficiency and yield improvement in advanced breeding programs.
• Maintained comprehensive laboratory documentation and managed molecular reagent inventory to ensure uninterrupted workflows for DNA extraction, PCR, and genotyping, thereby safeguarding data integrity, minimizing experimental variability, and supporting the timely execution of breeding experiments aimed at developing disease-resistant rice varieties.

• Performed molecular work (DNA extraction, PCR with SSR primers, gel electrophoresis) supporting QTL mapping for salinity tolerance in rice, contributing to the identification of candidate regions for salt-tolerant varieties.
• Conducted phenotypic screening of rice under salinity stress in the phytotron and greenhouse, ensuring accurate EC and pH monitoring for hundreds of rice samples.
• Conducted rice pollen viability tests as part of salt tolerance screening, enhancing data reliability to inform breeding decisions for stress-resilient varieties.