Gelia Castillo

Consultant

Rural sociology, social psychology, and community development; training and education; international development; and, sustainable agricultural systems…

Dr. Castillo is an honorary member of IRRI Training Center. She is an IRRI Consultant, providing insights on social issues in agricultural research and development including evaluation and impact assessment. As a part of the IRRI Training Center, she is a mentor and adviser to the team of experts handling training and education for rice research scholars and trainees.

She has served in the Board of Centro Internacional de la Papa (CIP); International Service for National Agricultural Research (ISNAR); International Center for Research in Agroforestry (ICRAF); and International Plant Genetic Resources Institute (IPGRI) -- centers of the Consultative Group for International Agricultural Research. She is also a board member of the Philippine Rice Research Institute and is currently the Senior Research Adviser for the program - Users’ Perspectives with Agricultural Research and Development (UPWARD).

She is a noted scientist, and a well-known and respected Filipino rural sociologist. She was conferred the Rank and Title of National Scientist in October 1999, and still serves the University of the Philippines Los Baños as a University Professor Emeritus.

She received her AB Psychology from the University of the Philippines, magna cum laude and holds an MS degree in rural sociology from the Pennsylvania State University and a PhD from Cornel University.