November 14, 2024

3 thoughts on “An introverted “mad” scientist speaks candidly, making no apologies

  1. I’ve been following the Golden Rice story for years. Advocated for it on local radio when Colorado had a rediculous issue before voters. Retired old-time Plant Geneticist & college Botany prof. So happy to see your work helping humanity. Thanks.

  2. Bob, read your interview with interest. You sure had a marvelous time at IRRI as both a scientist as well as its DG. As I recall our common days at IRRI in the 1990’s, working in a team with you was both fun and challenging, challenging in a positive sense. Your sense of humor and friendly demeanor made it easy to work together. Remember, how we took the difficult challenges of the Rainfed rice program with you as its leader?
    Well, at this time all I really want to say now when you are leaving IRRI is: You did a great job. And Fauzi and I wish you and Crissan the very best in your next phase of life.
    Sadiq Bhuiyan
    Water Resource Scientist, IRRI (1977-2001)

    1. Dear Sadiq,
      Thanks for your kind note. I just read it now (February 16) as I did not realize comments were posted. Crissan and I are now in Portland, Oregon sorting through our decades’ accumulation of “life with rice”.

      I of course remember with great fondness our early years of getting the Rainfed Lowland Program up and running. You, as Deputy PL, were an invaluable source of wisdom and institutional knowledge for a guy who was new to IRRI and all its little intricacies – chief amongst them was that you would have to be crazy to work on rainfed rice!

      Well, 20 years on and as a result of the extraordinary dedication and hard work of so many scientists from IRRI and our partners we have shown that while we may have been crazy, we were not wrong! We are witnessing a transformation of rice productivity in the rainfed lowlands that I dare say surpasses our wildest dreams.

      Sadiq, you were a delight to work with and opened my eyes to many different points of view with your patience and wisdom. You, Tuong and, of course Mahabub, provided me with guidance and insights that were critical to the successful launch of the rainfed lowlands program. Could you remind me again of how two irrigation specialists ended up in that program?

      Please tell Parveen the next time that you see her that Crissan and I extend to her our deepest sympathies for Mahabub’s passing. I was fortunate to be able to visit with him a few months before he died. Although fatalistic about his condition, his dedication to improving the lot of Bangladeshi rice farmers was inspirational to the end.

      And give our very best to Fauzi and your boys (who are no longer boys, I suppose, except in the eyes of their parents!).

      All the best,

      Bob

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