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an hour of touring Jeffrey Sachs in the lab

Ria, from the Visitors Office, called up mid-afternoon on Friday last week with an urgency in her voice. She informed me that Professor Jeffrey Sachs was dropping by the lab the following day (May 5) and I was to give him a brief tour and some rice sensory evaluation activities.

Wait. Jeffrey Sachs... the JEFFREY SACHS?!?

Why, he's only one of the most famous economists in the world! Director of the Earth Institute at the Columbia University; regarded as the hero of several Eastern European and South American economies; and is an adviser to the United Nations Secretaries-General Kofi Annan and Ban Ki-Moon. He rubs elbows with U2's lead singer, Bono, and with Microsoft's founder, Bill Gates. A litany of his achievements can make anyone star-struck... and nervous.

AND HE'S DROPPING BY THE LAB!!!

The following day -- tour day -- I was surprised to find out that not only was Professor Sachs dropping by for the tour, but the IRRI Director General, Dr Zeigler and IRRI Deputy Directors General, Drs Dobermann and Tolentino were with him as well. As I explained what we do in the lab and as I guided them through the sensory evaluation process, the IRRI directors talked with Prof. Sachs about the context of our research work in light of economics, sustainable development, and reducing the carbon footprint. When I didn't understand Prof. Sach's questions, they were also there to translate or explain them to me.

It certainly looked like they had fun during their visit at the Grain Quality and Nutrition Center. There were lots of laughter amidst scientific discussions and the mood was light as they tasted the rice. I believe that it's important to make sure that visitors enjoy their tours because that makes their visits more memorable. I felt lucky to be able to listen in to how these high-level scientists discuss issues and be right next to them too! It's certainly a different experience from watching them discuss from a distance.
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