b'ASSOCIATION NEWS Ruel GesmundoMember-at-LargeRUEL C. GESMUNDO FROM THEThrough Ruels leadership, the NSQCS Central PHILIPPINES IS THE ASSISTANTLaboratory became an ISTA accredited DIRECTOR FOR REGULATORY SERVICESLaboratory on 28 June 2024 after being an AND CONCURRENT CHIEF, NATIONALISTA member for 62 years. The NSQCS Central SEED QUALITY CONTROL SERVICESLaboratory has also been accredited for (NSQCS) of the Bureau of Plant Industry (BPI)ISO 17025:2017 (General Requirements for under the Department of Agriculture (DA). the Competence of Testing and Calibration He started his career in DA-BPI as a seedLaboratories) since 2019 and for ISO 9001 (Quality pathologist in 1988 and became Head of NSQCS,Management System) since 2022.one of its technical divisions, in 2010. He received various awards and recognitions for hisWith the trust and confidence of the DA for his exemplary performance in spearheading severalcommitment and dedication to seed regulation initiatives to improve services to stakeholders inin the country, Ruel has served from 2023 to the seed industry. the present as National Seed Coordinator ofRuel earned his degree in agriculture with a the DA Seed Component Team, responsible formajor in plant pathology from the prestigious As the Chief of NSQCS, he is at the forefrontthe planning, implementation and monitoringUniversity of the Philippines, Los Baos, and of ensuring the availability of high-qualityof the availability of seeds in all regions. Hea Postgraduate Diploma in Seed Pathology seeds and planting materials to farmers andwas appointed as DA-BPI Assistant Director forfrom the Danish Government Institute of Seed stakeholders. The DA-BPI-NSQCS implementsRegulatory Services and Concurrent Chief ofPathology, Denmark. He later pursued two seed quality control services such as seed testing,NSQCS in February 2022. In this role, he overseesMasters degrees, one in crop production from and seed and plant material certification, asthe implementation of plans, programmes andthe Hebrew University, Israel, and the other in a government strategy to increase local seedactivities of five regulatory divisions and offices,development economics from the University of production in order to increase crop productivitynamely, the National Plant Quarantine Servicesthe Philippines, Diliman.and address food security in the country.Division (NPQSD); the Plant Product Safety Services Division (PPSSD); the BiotechnologyHis participation in ISTA started in 2012 as a Hence, he is responsible for the operation of theOffice; the National Seed Industry Councilpersonal member and voting delegate before 25 NSQCS laboratories, including the Central(NSIC); and the National Seed Quality Controljoining the Executive Committee (ECOM) in Laboratory, as well as 16 regional and eightServices. 2019. He is on his third term as a Member-at-satellite laboratories that are strategically locatedLarge of the ECOM, representing the Asia and nationwide in the Philippines. Pacific region.Irena GeraMember-at-LargeIRENA GERA IS HEAD OF THEIrena has many years of experience participating REFERENCE SEED LABORATORY at thein national projects and expert groups Main Inspectorate of Plant Health and Seedrelated to seed science and seed evaluation. Inspection in Poland. She collaborates with the Plant Breeding and Acclimatisation Institute as a technical She studied biology at the Adam Mickiewiczconsultant on ISTA Rules and has supported the University in Poznan and conducted researchPolish Seed Chamber as a trainer and advisor for for her Masters thesis on the seed productionseed sampling and seed testing.and acclimatisation of various oak species. She entered the field of botany professionally,Irena began her ISTA activities in 2012 as a working in a seed testing laboratory in variouspersonal member and voting delegate. In 2016 roles: analyst, technical manager, sampler,she became an ISTA technical auditor and in lecturer and trainer. 2020 she joined the Proficiency Test Committee. At the ISTA Congress in Christchurch in Currently, in addition to managing theMay 2025, Irena was elected to the Executive laboratory, Irena is responsible for seedCommittee as a Member-at-Large for theevaluation and monitoring of the Polish seedfirst time.laboratory network, which includes organising proficiency tests and workshops, conducting audits, and supervising seed evaluation methods.18 SEED TESTING INTERNATIONAL www.seedtest.org'