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Our Community of Scholars

Faculty

Our affiliated faculty bring expertise from across the college and work together to solve complex challenges facing the forest supply chain. Their interdisciplinary approach helps improve safety, efficiency, forest health, workforce pathways, and long-term sustainability of the forest supply chain.

Headshot of Scott Barrett

Scott Barrett

Associate Professor and Extension Specialist

Director

Sustainable Forest Supply Chain Collaborative

Expertise: Forest operations, biomass utilization, and logger education

Headshot of Michael Berry

Michael Berry

Assistant Professor

Forest Resources and Environmental Conservation

Expertise: Forest operations, supply chain optimization, biomass utilization, and forest business economics

Headshot of Brian Bond

Brian Bond

Associate Dean for Extension, Outreach, and Engagement | Professor

Sustainable Biomaterials

Expertise: Wood drying, processing, manufacturing, and identification, performance of wood in use, wood flooring

Headshot of Shane Furze

Shane Furze

Assistant Professor

Forest Resources and Environmental Conservation

Expertise: Precision and adaptive silviculture, digital soil mapping, forest productivity modeling, species suitability, landbase optimization, and remote sensing

Headshot of Jennifer Gagnon

Jennifer Gagnon

Coordinator

Virginia Forest Landowner Education Program

Expertise: Family woodland owners, sustainable forest management, legacy planning, and nonnative invasive species management

Headshot of Pipiet Larasatie

Pipiet Larasatie

Assistant Professor &
Extension Specialist

Sustainable Biomaterials

Expertise: Workforce development, inclusive education, innovative value chains

Headshot of Stella Schons

Stella Schons

Assistant Professor

Forest Resources and Environmental Conservation

Expertise: Natural resource economics, conservation finance, forest management decisions, conservation and development policy impact analysis

Headshot of Kiara Winans

Kiara Winans

Collegiate Assistant Professor

Sustainable Biomaterials

Expertise: Life-cycle assessment, industrial and social ecology

Postdoctoral researchers

Headshot of Manuja Jayasundara

Manuja
Jayasundara

Postdoctoral scholar

Sustainable Biomaterials

Research: Forest sector competitiveness, stakeholder engagement, market analysis, and policy evaluation

Affiliated Faculty

Affiliated faculty include members of the Advisory Committee and others whose work connects to the forest supply chain. Their research, teaching, and outreach contribute to healthier forests, stronger communities, and a more resilient industry.

Interested in becoming affiliated?

Become an Affiliated Faculty Member
An outreach professor wearing a hardhat with the Virginia Tech logo and safety vest measures the diameter of a log

Students

We ensure students can explore careers across the forest supply chain through hands-on learning, research, and internships.

Students and professor pose in front of a tractor trailer being lifted off the ground to dump a load of biomass

Graduate Students

Headshot of Galit Prakosa

Galit
Prakosa

Ph.D. Candidate

Sustainable Biomaterials

Contact: mjstern@vt.edu

Headshot of Emma Busteed

Emma
Busteed

M.S. Candidate

Forest Resources and Environmental Conservation

Contact: mjstern@vt.edu

UnderGraduate Researchers

Headshot of Hailey Trittin

Hailey
Trittin

Majors:

Environmental Data Science

Economics

Contact:

Alumni

Headshot of Temitope Ogana

Temitope
Ogana

Ph.D. — 2026

Forest Resources and Environmental Conservation

Contact: galitgatut@vt.edu

Headshot of Ryan Chewning

Ryan
Chewning

M.S. — 2026

Forest Resources and Environmental Conservation

Contact: mjstern@vt.edu

Undergraduate Opportunities

Coursework, field experiences, and internships introduce students to renewable materials, sustainable forest management, and rural economic development.

Matthews Internship

In partnership with the Virginia Department of Forestry, students can apply for a summer internship at the Matthews State Forest in Galax, Virginia. Interns work with forestry professionals and explore careers in land management, public service, and natural resource stewardship.

Matthews State Forest Interns

2026
Headshot of Nora Waide

Nora
Waide

Major:

Environmental Resources Management

Contact: @vt.edu

Headshot of Joe Meade

Joe Meade

Major:

Forestry

Contact: @vt.edu