GHG Emissions in Rice Systems: Basics of Mechanisms and Standards for Measurements

Ando Radanielson (Senior Scientist I – Environmental/Climate Change Expert, International Rice Research Institute)

Dr. Ando Mariot Radanielson is a senior scientist at the International Rice Research Institute with expertise in climate change adaptation and mitigation. She is currently leading a project on reducing methane emissions from rice, the REMET Rice project, aiming to advance the understanding of processes and mechanisms of methane emissions from rice systems to inform the design of low-carbon rice systems with positive outcomes toward sustainability. Ando is a PhD graduate from SupAgro Institute in Montpellier, France in integrative plant biology and an adjunct senior lecturer at the University of Southern Queensland Toowoomba in agricultural systems modeling. She has over a decade of experience in cropping systems modeling and contributed to different advancements of the agricultural system modeling platform APSIM and ORYZA v3 for climate adaptation. Ando has pioneered different initiatives supporting the education of the next generation of agricultural scientists and their access to opportunities for professional and personal growth such as women in STEM mentorship, seed grant programs, student supervision, and crop modeling training programs.

Mary Ann Burac (Assistant Scientist – Data Manager)

Mary Ann Burac is a data management professional with over two decades of extensive experience in data collection, analysis, and management. She holds a degree in Computer Science from the Laguna College of Business and Arts. She began her career at the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) as a student assistant, where she progressed to roles as a Data Encoder and Researcher. Her dedication and expertise have led her to her current position as the Data Manager for GHG and Field Data within the AM4E group of the SIRS Department. Throughout her career, she has demonstrated skills in managing comprehensive research projects. Her experience spans field crop data collection, conducting field surveys, disseminating and evaluating agricultural technology, and collecting and analyzing experimental data. Her contributions have been instrumental in ensuring the integrity and accuracy of data used in agricultural research.

Vo Thi Bach Thuong (Postdoctoral Fellow – Climate Change and GHG Emissions Specialist)

Vo Thi Bach Thuong is a Postdoctoral Fellow – Climate Change and GHG Emissions Specialist at the International Rice Research Institute. Thuong’s recent research focuses on the effects of different rice varieties on greenhouse gas emissions from rice production systems. Her ongoing investigations encompass assessing different measurement approaches, including cutting-edge technologies, to enhance the detection of GHG emissions in rice production with an aim toward developing high-throughput systems. Previously, Thuong and her et al. have developed the country-specific methane emission factors for Vietnam and the Mekong Delta (Tier 2 approach) that could be used for the National Communications to be submitted to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). Educationally, Thuong holds a PhD in Agricultural Sciences from the University of Hohenheim, Germany, and an MSc in Environmental Science from the University of the Philippines Los Baños.

Ryan R. Romasanta (Assistant Scientist – Emission Research, International Rice Research Institute)

Ryan R. Romasanta currently serves as an Assistant Scientist at the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) in College, Laguna, Philippines. Mr. Romasanta has over a decade of experience in emission research. He earned a Master of Science in Environmental Science in 2023 and a Bachelor of Science in Chemistry in 2007 from the University of the Philippines Los Baños.

He specializes in greenhouse gas emissions, with a particular focus on sustainable agriculture and climate change mitigation in rice-based systems. His role includes the technical aspects, overseeing and designing field experiments, collecting and analyzing samples, and evaluating data. He also leads capacity-building initiatives, field demonstrations, and training programs. Mr. Romasanta has served as a resource speaker and trainer at various national and international conferences and workshops, focusing on climate-smart agriculture, greenhouse gas emission measurements, and the operation and maintenance of gas chromatography equipment and laboratory.

Rubenito M. Lampayan (University of the Philippines, Los Banos)

Dr. Lampayan obtained his BS in Agricultural Engineering from the Visayas State University; Master of Engineering (Irrigation Engineering and Management) from the Asian Institute of Technology, Thailand; and PhD in Resource Management and Environmental Science from The Australian National University, Australia. For more than thirty years of service in research, Dr. Lampayan has achieved to be a recognized expert in Irrigation Water Management and is an outstanding experienced consultant in assisting developing countries with agricultural water priorities through technology development and agricultural research. He previously worked at IRRI for 25 years as a researcher (1990-1992), senior research assistant (1993-2001), associate scientist (2001-2005), postdoctoral fellow (2006-2008), and water management scientist (2009-2015). He developed strong partnerships among stakeholders in the water-agriculture arena in Asia and created new institutional platforms to facilitate wise use of scarce water and best crop management practices for rice-based systems. He also led various outreach activities, trainings, and seminars on alternate wetting and drying and other water-saving technologies in more than eight countries in Asia. He successfully implemented or was involved in various projects including the SDC-funded Irrigated Rice Research Consortium (IRRC), the Philippines Rice Self-Sufficiency Program, ACIAR-funded Southern Laos Project, SDC-funded CORIGAP, and DA-BAR projects, among others. He was also engaged in various consultancy works as an Irrigation Engineer at the UPLB Foundation Inc., as a Water Management Expert at the International Rice Research Institute, and as an Agricultural Specialist at the Asian Development Bank. Currently, he is a Professor at the Land and Water Resources Engineering Division, Institute of Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering, College of Engineering and Agro-industrial Technology, University of the Philippines Los Baños (UPLB).

Gio Karlo M. Evangelista (Associate Scientist – Sustainable Water Management, International Rice Research Institute)

Gio Evangelista is an Associate Scientist from the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) specializing in the development and promotion of innovative sustainable water management solutions. Some of his past work involved the implementation of different establishment methods and different land gradients that can contribute to reducing irrigation inputs and increasing water savings and crop productivity. His recent projects with Nestle Indonesia (Direction Zero-C) and with the Department of Agriculture – Bureau of Agricultural Research (WateRice) explored approaches that can increase productivity, farmers’ income, and reduction in greenhouse gas emissions in different rice environments. He is currently collaborating with different research institutions, private companies, and local government units in the scaling of water management strategies (e.g. Alternate Wetting and Drying irrigation scheduling, AutoMonPH-based Irrigation Advisory System) through digitalization and the use of Internet-of-Things (IoT) technology for effective water and carbon footprints monitoring across small and large-scale irrigation systems. Mr. Evangelista also serves as a resource speaker for various engagements in discussing basic water management principles and technological advancements in irrigation for rice production. He earned a degree of Master of Science in Agronomy and a Bachelor of Science in Agricultural Economics from the University of the Philippines Los Baños.

Olivyn Angeles (Senior Associate Scientist II – Soil Health, International Rice Research Institute)

Dr. Olivyn Angeles holds a PhD in Environmental Science with over 20 years of experience in agronomic research, focusing on crop, soil, and water management, as well as the environmental impacts of climate change. At IRRI, Dr. Angeles leads IRRI’s long-term experiments, including the Long Term Continuous Cropping Experiment (LTCCE, est. 1962) and the Rice-Maize Rotation Experiment (RUCRE, est. 1993). She also serves as the Lead of the Soil Science Laboratory, Senior Associate Scientist for Soil Health, and Project Leader for the Greenhouse Gas Mitigation in Irrigated Rice Paddies in Southeast Asia (MIRSA-3) project. Dr. Angeles has been recognized with the 2018 Rothamsted International Fellowship in Rothamsted Research, United Kingdom, and holds a doctorate degree from Chiba University, Japan, and a master’s degree from the University of the Philippines Los Baños (UPLB).