The National Academy of Science and Technology (NAST) on its 73rd Academy Meeting elected Rey L. Vilareal ‘64 as a corresponding member to the Academy for his significant and outstanding scientific accomplishments in Plant Breeding and Plant Pathology. Corresponding membership is conferred to non-resident Filipino scientists who have made exemplary contributions to the advancement of science in the country.
His election to the Academy brought to nine the number of Upsilonians who are members of the Academy. These fellows are: Jose Encarnacion Jr. ‘48, Bienvenido O. Juliano ‘53, Jose O. Juliano ‘49, Faustino T. Orillo ‘41, Ricardo M. Lantican ‘54, Ruben L. Villareal ‘57 Onofre D. Corpuz ‘47, Romulo G. Davide ‘54, and Rey L. Villareal ‘64. Four of them have been conferred the rank and title of National Scientist namely Encarnacion, B. Juliano, Corpuz and Lantican.
One such achievement is his participation in the wheat breeding program of Centro International de Mejoramiento de Maiz y Trigo (CIMMYT), which in several cases was key to selection and eventual release for commercialization, has resulted in the release of more than 150 cultivars in 36 wheat producing countries. These cultivars not only has higher yield levels than the commercial varieties, but are also characterized by yield stability, specific and broad adaptation, semi-dwarf stature, excellent eating quality and broad-based resistance to important pests and diseases. Such cultivars are currently grown in about 50 million hectares worldwide.
Rey has received numerous awards and decorations both locally and internationally. Some of which are: Fellow Crop Science Society of America; Recognition Award, Mexican Government, Fellow, American Society of Agronomy; Outstanding Research Team, CIMMYT; Outstanding Alumnus Award in International Service and Cooperation, UPLB College of Agriculture Alumni Association; Professional Award for Agriculture, UPAA; Special recognition award for International Collaboration, Guatemala; Certificate of Merit for Training and Development of Wheat Researchers, Sichuan Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Chengdu, China.
Dr. Norman E. Borlaug, Nobel Peace Prize Laureate speaks of Rey “I personally believe Dr. Rey Villareal is one of the world’s outstanding all-around wheat scientist at the present time. He has excellent scientific creativity and organizational ability, as well as the ability to lead and stimulate young scientists to achieve difficult goals. He has great breadth of interest in all aspects of wheat research and production and above all he is a ‘Doer’.”