Academician William G. Padolina is currently the Deputy Director General for Operations and Support Services International Rice Research Institute (IRRI).

His expertise and interests are in the areas of research management, science policy, technology transfer, secondary plant metabolism, biotechnology  and intellectual property rights.

He graduated magna cum laude in 1968 from the University of the Philippines with the degree  of Bachelor of Science in Agricultural Chemistry. He obtained his PhD in 1973 (botany/phytochemistry) from the University of Texas at Austin, USA.

Acd. Padolina started at UPLB as research assistant (1968) and became full professor of chemistry, UPLB (1985); Department Chair, Institute of Chemistry, UPLB (1976); Director, Learning Resource Center (1978-1980); Executive Deputy Director, BIOTECH (1980-86); Director, BIOTECH (1986-89); Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs (1989-91); and Assistant of the UP President (1991). He was Undersecretary of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) (1992-1994); Acting Secretary of DOST (1994-95) and Secretary of DOST (1995-1999). He was Director for External Relations of IRRI (Feb- Sep 1999).

Among the awards he received were the Outstanding Young Scientist Award (1982) from the National Academy of Science and Technology, TOYM Award for Science and Technology (1985), UP System Outstanding Administrator Award (1988); PANTAS Award in Research Management (1989), Philippine Legion of Honor (rank of Officer) (1998 and 1999). He was elected Academician in 1995.