College of Forestry, Wildlife and Environment

Summer Graduation Ceremony
2018-08-03 16:00 - 17:00 (America/New_York) | College of Forestry, Wildlife and Environment, 602 Duncan Drive, Auburn, AL, 36849, United States
The SFWS will celebrate the 2018 Summer graduating class on Friday, August 3, 2018. The reception will be held in the SFWS EBSCO Atrium and will begin at 4 p.m. with the presentation to begin at 4:15 p.m. The commencement ceremony will be held at the Auburn Arena on Saturday, August 4, at 10 a.m.

M.S. Seminar - Angelina Haines
2018-08-13 09:00 - 10:00
M.S. Seminar: Angelina Haines, Maj. Prof, Dr. Robert Gitzen
Title: What ignites fire ant density and impacts in longleaf pine ecosystems?
Location: Dixon Conference Room
Date: Monday, August 13, 2018
Time: 9:00 a.m.
Abstract:
Angelina Haines1,2, Christopher Lepczyk1, Robert Gitzen1, D. Clay Sisson2, and Theron Terhune II2
1 Dept. of Wildlife Sciences, Auburn University, Auburn, AL
2 Tall Timbers Research Station and Land Conservancy, Tallahassee, FL
Title: What ignites fire ant density and impacts in longleaf pine ecosystems?
Invasive species are a widely recognized threat to global biodiversity. Invasive invertebrates are often a subject of study due to their impacts on human health, agriculture, and ecosystem function, but their impacts on local invertebrates are less known. An ideal model species to quantify this relationship is the red imported fire ant (RIFA, Solenopsis invicta). RIFA take advantage of disturbed landscapes to colonize and consequently compete with local invertebrates. This can be problematic for landscapes that require disturbance for restoration and maintenance, such as the longleaf pine ecosystems (Pinus palustris) of the southeastern United States. We sought to quantify what environmental variables were impacting RIFA density and their subsequent impacts on native and exotic ant biodiversity. Specifically, we hypothesized that RIFA mound density and forager abundance (i.e. level of activity) are driven by soil type, groundcover type, and time since burn. To test our hypotheses, we conducted line-transect mound surveys and pitfall trapping on 11 properties in Florida and Georgia managed with frequent fire. Pitfall trapping was used to estimate RIFA forager abundance and how their presence may influence general ant biodiversity, which is the subject of ongoing debate in the literature. Factors affecting mound density were investigated using a Poisson generalized linear mixed effects model, while the abundance of RIFA foragers and other ant species were analyzed with Poisson models and Akaike’s information criterion. Results indicate that RIFA mound numbers have a relationship to survey year, region, groundcover type, and time since burn. Significantly higher RIFA mound numbers were present in sites that have not been burned in a year and were historically agricultural. Analysis of pitfall trap data indicates that RIFA mound number also correlates with both native and exotic ant biodiversity. Specifically, as the number of RIFA mounds increase, native ant biodiversity decreases and exotic ant biodiversity increases. Our findings address an important gap in understanding how RIFA invasions and relate to restoration management and modern impacts of land use history.

Graduate Student Orientation
2018-08-16 09:30 - 10:30

Fall Ice Breaker and Cookout
2018-08-29 17:00 - 19:00
Make plans to join us for the 2018 Student Fall Ice Breaker Cookout on the patio of the School of Forestry and Wildlife Sciences on Wednesday, August 29th, from 5:00 – 7:00 p.m.! SFWS faculty, staff and students are invited to attend this fun event held each year for students to get to know each other and their professors; while enjoying a barbecue and lawn games. Aubie often joins the festivities as well!

SFWS Seminar Series - Dr. E. Johan Foster
2018-09-12 11:00 - 12:00 | College of Forestry, Wildlife and Environment, 602 Duncan Drive, Auburn, AL, 36849, United States
Auburn University School of Forestry and Wildlife Sciences Fall Seminar Series Presents:
Dr. E. Johan Foster, Associate Professor in Materials Science and Engineering at Virginia Tech, will give a talk entitled, Smart materials based on cellulose nanomaterial reinforced composites.
Seminar is held at 11 a.m. in Classroom 1223 in the SFWS Building, 602 Duncan Drive, Auburn, AL.

Faculty, students and the public are invited to attend this free program.
Complimentary cookies and coffee will be served.
CFEs are available by request.
Advanced registration is not required.
Parking is available on the 3rd and 4th floors of the South Quad parking deck on Duncan Drive, directly across from the SFWS Building. See Parking Services on Level 3 to obtain a visitor pass.

Abstract:
We present biobased, biocompatible (and in some cases re-sorbable) nanocomposites designed to improve interactions and cell growth. With the goal of creating smart, stimuli-responsive materials, cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs) can provide not only the structural component needed to replace damaged tissue, but also provide chemical cues that aid in healing. CNCs are mechanically stiff, highaspectratio, biorenewable fibers which can serve as both a reinforcing filler in nanocomposites, as well as a convenient handle for imbibing material with stimuli responsiveness. Repairing cartilage, spinal discs or tendons are some of the toughest challenges for orthopedic surgeons. We combine structural aspects, along with chemical cues, to create 3D scaffold components, all of which lead to a very specific material tailored to perform under strenuous conditions, tailored to the specific location in the body. By controlling alignment, directionality of cells and 3D structure is essential to create an implantable functional material that mimics nature, for use in regenerative medicine.
Biography:
E. Johan Foster is an Associate Professor in Materials Science and Engineering at Virginia Tech. Johan’s expertise are in the design, synthesis, processing and investigation of functional nanocomposites, biomaterials, supramolecular materials and polymers. His research group focuses on the chemistry and engineering of functional bio(nano)materials, imbibing materials with ‘smart’ functionality, often utilizing cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs) as a filler. Johan has many national and international collaborators, from countries as far reaching as Australia, Ghana, Kenya, France and Switzerland. His research program is supported through federal, industrial and state research grants.

AUsome Amphibians and Reptiles
2018-09-14 16:30 - 17:30, 2018-09-21 16:30 - 17:30, 2018-10-12 16:30 - 17:30 | Kreher Preserve and Nature Center, 2222 N. College Street, Auburn, AL, 36830, United States
Join the Kreher Preserve & Nature Center staff for a one-hour presentation on the AUsome amphibians and reptiles found in our state and beyond. Children and adults will enjoy this entertaining hands-on program with live animals. Admission is $5/person. Children 3 and under are free. Pre-registration is not required. Proceeds benefit the nature center. Sponsored by the Auburn Opelika Tourism Bureau.

SFWS Seminar Series - Dr. Ilari Filpponen
2018-09-19 11:00 - 12:00 | College of Forestry, Wildlife and Environment, 602 Duncan Drive, Auburn, AL, 36849, United States
Auburn University School of Forestry and Wildlife Sciences Fall Seminar Series Presents:
Dr. Ilari Filpponen, Assistant Research Professor, Alabama Center for Paper and Bioresource Engineering, Department of Chemical Engineering, College of Engineering, at Auburn University who will give a talk entitled, Tailoring the surface wettability of cellulose-based paper/nanopaper via novel photo-induced thiol-ene and thiol-yne reactions: Towards electronic and microfluidic applications.
Seminar is held at 11 a.m. in Conference Room 1101 in the SFWS Building, 602 Duncan Drive, Auburn, AL.

Faculty, students and the public are invited to attend this free program.
Complimentary cookies and coffee will be served.
CFEs are available by request.
Advanced registration is not required.
Parking is available on the 3rd and 4th floors of the South Quad parking deck on Duncan Drive, directly across from the SFWS Building. See Parking Services on Level 3 to obtain a visitor pass.

Abstract:
Films prepared from cellulose nanofibrils (CNF) have recently been considered as promising substrates for the utilization in electronic devices including displays, transistors, organic light-emitting diodes (OLEDs), touchscreens, lithium ion batteries, solar cells, transparent conductive electrodes and antennas. However, a significant drawback for the use of CNF films in such applications is their high sensitivity to moisture. In this work, a novel and facile process to tailor the wettability of CNF film was developed. Firstly, transparent and reactive porous silicone brush-like nanolayers were introduced onto the CNF film surface by polycondensation of trichlorovinylsilane. Next, the pre-modified CNF films were converted superhydrophobic by introducing low surface tension thiolated fluorine and alkyl molecules via thiol-ene chemistry. Water contact angles (WCA) of 167° and WCA hysteresis < 3° were determined and found to change little after extensive rubbing cycles.
Moreover, it is demonstrated that the micropatterning of cellulose paper/nanopaper can be achieved by using a novel and highly-effective thiol-yne click reaction. Firstly, the paper/nanopaper was functionalized with 4-pentynoic acid via well-known and scalable esterification procedure. Degrees of substitution (DO) of 0.2 and 0.3 were obtained for the paper and nanopaper, respectively. Next, the alkyne-bearing cellulose substrate was subjected to photo-induced click reactions with various thiol-containing molecules to yield either hydrophobic or hydrophilic cellulose surfaces. Finally, micropatterning of the cellulose surfaces was demonstrated by using a photomask-assisted approach. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), contact angle measurements (CAM) and X-Ray photoelectron spectroscopy were applied to characterize the main morphological and chemical features of the produced materials. Main results and possible applications for such systems will be discussed.
Biography:
Dr. Ilari Filpponen gained his Master’s degree (2003) from University of Helsinki, Finland majoring in organic chemistry, and his PhD degree (2009) from North Carolina State University (NCSU) with research on production and chemical modifications of cellulose nanocrystals. In 2009-2010 he conducted postdoctoral studies at the NCSU after which he joined the Department of Forest Products Technology, Aalto University, Finland. In 2016, he started as an assistant research professor at Auburn University (joint appointment between SFWS & CHEN). He is currently performing research on chemical functionalization of cellulosic substrates by using different chemistries, with special emphasis on Click chemistry based approaches. His research targets on developing value-added products from renewable woody biomass. To date, he has authored and co-authored 40+ peer-reviewed publications and delivered 30+ presentations in domestic and international conferences.

SFWS Seminar Series – Dan Chappell and Gary Faulkner
2018-09-26 11:00 - 12:00 | College of Forestry, Wildlife and Environment, 602 Duncan Drive, Auburn, AL, 36849, United States
Auburn University School of Forestry and Wildlife Sciences Fall Seminar Series Presents:
Dan Chappell and Gary Faulkner of the Alabama Forestry Commission will give a talk titled, Alabama’s Forests and Economic Development.
Seminar is held at 11am in Conference Room 1101 in the SFWS Building, 602 Duncan Drive, Auburn, AL.

Faculty, students and the public are invited to attend this free program.
Complimentary cookies and coffee will be served.
CFEs are available by request.
Advanced registration is not required.
Parking is available on the 3rd and 4th floors of the South Quad parking deck on Duncan Drive, directly across from the SFWS Building. See Parking Services on Level 3 to obtain a visitor pass.

Abstract: This one-hour lecture begins with a short introduction and overview of our Agency. We then move into a discussion on the Forest Inventory and Analysis program, how it operates in the state, and what the data of this intensive inventory is telling us about the consistently increasing wood volumes we are encountering state wide, with a mention of the Timber Products Output survey. The abundant fiber supply is viewed as a long-term opportunity for industry as well as a current headwind for stumpage prices. This serves to transition into a look at the scale and broad economic impact of the Forest Industry to Alabama, with an emphasis on the new and expanding industry announcements from this current period of growth. Finally, we look at some economic development concepts that are key to making industrial progress possible but may not be intuitive to a general audience.
Biography: Dan Chappell has served since June of 2016 as the Coordinator of the Alabama Forestry Commission’s Forest Inventory and Analysis Program, overseeing a field staff of 6 who collect inventory data from 5,600+ established research plots across the state on a continuous 7-year cycle. Alabama was the first of the fifty states to complete the 2017 FIA survey, and was again first in the nation to complete the 2018 FIA Survey. He is a 2002 graduate of the University of Georgia’s Warnell School of Forest Resources. Following graduation, he was an employee of the Georgia Forestry Commission for over 13 years collecting FIA data for the Southeast region of the state. He is a recent graduate of the 2017-2018 Alabama Public Safety Leadership Academy and of the Auburn University Intensive Economic Development Course put on by the University’s Government and Economic Development Institute. Dan is presently serving as the Chairman of the Southern Group of State Forester’s FIA Committee. His 2017 Forest Resource Report on the state of the state’s timber growth and supply is available for download on the Forestry Commission’s homepage. He lives in Montgomery with his wife Elizabeth Anne and 6-year old daughter Betty Alice.
Biography: Mr. Faulkner currently serves as Forest Economic Development Specialist with the Alabama Forestry Commission. Prior to this appointment, he was Principal of The Faulkner Group LLC in 2015 through 2017. Mr. Faulkner retired with the State of Alabama, Alabama Department of Commerce (Commerce) in 2014, after 31 years of service. At retirement, he served as Director of Business Development reporting to the Secretary of Commerce. Prior to this position, he served as a Senior Project Manager and International Development Representative.
Prior to his tenure at Commerce, Mr. Faulkner held a position with the Alabama International Trade Center as an International Trade Specialist. He began his professional state career at the Alabama Forestry Commission (AFC) engaged as Chief of Utilization & Marketing. Gary was an Honor Graduate of the Alabama Forestry Academy in 1984.
Mr. Faulkner has degrees from Auburn University in Industrial Management (1974) and Forest Management (1982). Further, he has Certificates of Training from the Auburn University Intensive Economic Development Training Course and the University of Oklahoma Economic Development Institute. He is also an Alabama Registered Forester (#1196 – current).

SFWS Seminar: Understanding Conservation: Responsible Commercial Use of Natural Resources, Presented by Mr. Tony Schoonen
2018-09-28 11:00 - 12:00 | College of Forestry, Wildlife and Environment, 602 Duncan Drive, Auburn, AL, 36849, United States
The Auburn University School of Forestry and Wildlife Sciences invites you to a seminar titled, “Understanding Conservation: Responsible Commercial Use of Natural Resources,” presented by Mr. Tony Schoonen, Chief of Staff of the renowned wildlife conservation organization, the Boone and Crockett Club.
Founded in 1887 by Theodore Roosevelt and George Bird Grinnell, the Boone and Crockett Club was the initiator and champion for the creation of the country’s first national parks and land management agencies. It was also the earliest advocate for science-based wildlife management efforts and legislation including the National Wildlife Refuge System Act and the creation of the Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Units. At the root of its mission, the organization pioneered and established the principles of responsible, ethical, and sustainable use hunting known as Fair Chase.
The seminar will be held on Friday, September 28, at 11 a.m. in the SFWS Conference Hall 1101 located on the first floor of the School of Forestry and Wildlife Sciences Building. This is a complimentary event for faculty, staff and students. Light refreshments and free parking are offered for attendees. Parking will be available on the third and fourth levels of the South Quad Parking Deck. Advanced registration and parking passes are not required.

Mr. Tony Schoonen
Chief of Staff
Boone and Crockett Club
Biography:
Tony was born and raised in Butte, Montana. After graduating high school he attended two years of college at the Montana School of Mines and then in 1982 moved to the University of Montana, working his way through school as an outfitter and river guide. In his senior year he started a film production company, Stoney-Wolf Productions. Stoney-Wolf rapidly expanded and became known for outdoor productions for home entertainment and commercial theatres. The company was also often hired to film under severe and dangerous conditions. After selling the company in 1997, Tony chose a second career in the NGO world of conservation, working first for the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation as their Vice President of Marketing and Communications, then for Wonders of Wildlife as their Executive Director, and finally for the Boone and Crockett Club as their Chief of Staff, a position he currently serves.
Tony married his wife Jennifer in 2004 and is the proud father of two girls. He hunts and fishes as much as time allows and includes his family whenever possible. All enjoy the great outdoors and share the same passion for wildlife and wild places.
Tony is a National Conservation Leadership Institute Fellow from Cohort 3. He regularly uses this adaptive challenge training as a part of his job and as a volunteer Board member. Tony currently serves on four boards: Wonders of Wildlife, National Museum of Forest Service History, and the Boy Scouts of America, Montana Council, and the Council to Advance Hunting and Shooting Sports.
Besides raising his family, Tony’s passion is to continue to play a role in the conservation and conservation education movement and apply his knowledge and experience to help ensure a wildlife legacy for future generations.

SFWS Seminar Series - Dr. Mehdi Tajvidi
2018-10-03 11:00 - 12:00 | College of Forestry, Wildlife and Environment, 602 Duncan Drive, Auburn, AL, 36849, United States
Auburn University School of Forestry and Wildlife Sciences Fall Seminar Series Presents:
Dr. Mehdi Tajvidi, Assistant Professor of Renewable Nanomaterials and Graduate Program Coordinator, of the School of Forest Resources, University of Maine, will give a talk titled, What is outside the box (or the bottle!) for cellulose nanomaterials?
Seminar is held at 11 a.m. in the SFWS Conference Room 1101 located on the first floor of the SFWS Building at 602 Duncan Drive, Auburn, AL.

Faculty, students and the public are invited to attend this free program.
Complimentary cookies and coffee will be served.
CFEs are available by request.
Advanced registration is not required.
Parking is available on the 3rd and 4th floors of the South Quad parking deck on Duncan Drive, directly across from the SFWS Building. See Parking Services on Level 3 to obtain a visitor pass.

Abstract: Cellulose nanofibrils (CNF) are perhaps the only type of cellulose nanomaterials that have the potential for both large volume production and large volume applications in near future. Much research has been conducted on the production, property assessment and applications of these interesting materials in many laboratories and the promise for an outstanding, multi-functional renewable material has been widely advertised. While a considerable amount of effort has been made to modify CNF to make it work with systems that it inherently does not interact with much, an alternative approach towards taking advantage of the natural strengths of CNF for applications it is comfortable with seems to be finding traction in the scientific community. Concurrently, research towards using CNF as the bulk material and not as an additive is finding more and more attention for biomedical applications. This presentation offers a description of new and emerging applications of CNF that are scalable and promise large volume production. The ultimate objective is to provide potential areas of predicted “success” in the use of CNF.
Biography: Mehdi Tajvidi joined the School of Forest Resources in 2013. After completing his Ph.D. program in Natural Resources Engineering at the University of Tehran in 2003, Mehdi worked as an Assistant and later an Associate Professor at the Department of Wood and Paper Science and Technology, the University of Tehran for 8 years. In 2007 Mehdi received the Japan Society for the Promotion of Science (JSPS) award to do research at the Department of Biomaterials Sciences, the University of Tokyo, Japan where he worked as a Visiting Professor for two years. Upon moving to Canada in 2011, Mehdi worked as a Visiting Professor and a Research Associate at the Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Waterloo, ON, Canada before Joining the School of Forest Resources in September 2013 as the Assistant Professor of Renewable Nanomaterials. Mehdi’s areas of research interest are production, characterization and performance evaluation of renewable nanomaterials and their composites. He is particularly interested in mechanical properties of nano-materials and nanocomposites, structure-property relationships, viscoelastic behavior, dynamic mechanical analysis and magnetic cellulose nanocomposites. To date, Mehdi has published over 100 papers in academic journals, presented over 50 presentations at international conferences and advised/co-advised over 45 graduate students.

Fall Family Fun Day
2018-10-06 10:00 - 14:00 | Kreher Preserve and Nature Center, 2222 N. College Street, Auburn, AL, 36830, United States
Celebrate the fall with music, nature hikes, animal encounters, face painting, and crafts. Food and drinks will be available for purchase. No registration required. Overflow parking will be located in our north parking lot, but you will have a well-marked 0.4-mile hike over to the amphitheater or a golf cart shuttle is available if needed. Entry is a $1 donation to the Preserve for Adults and Youth, Children 3 and under are free.

SFWS Seminar Series – Dr. Richard Cobb
2018-10-10 11:00 - 12:00 | College of Forestry, Wildlife and Environment, 602 Duncan Drive, Auburn, AL, 36849, United States
Auburn University School of Forestry and Wildlife Sciences Fall Seminar Series Presents:
Dr. Richard Cobb, Assistant Professor of Forest Health at California State Polytechnic University, will give a talk titled, Hemlock Woolly Adelgid: what a devastating invasive insect tells us about emerging threats to forest health.
Seminar is held at 11am in Conference Room 1101 in the SFWS Building, 602 Duncan Drive, Auburn, AL.

Faculty, students and the public are invited to attend this free program.
Complimentary cookies and coffee will be served.
CFEs are available by request.
Advanced registration is not required.
Parking is available on the 3rd and 4th floors of the South Quad parking deck on Duncan Drive, directly across from the SFWS Building. See Parking Services on Level 3 to obtain a visitor pass.

Abstract: Regional level tree mortality emerging where it was unexpected caused by an unexpected source. While the story of eastern hemlock mortality in the US from Hemlock Woolly Adelgid (HWA) fits this description, it is by no means unique in terms of exotic agents of mortality in forests. Neither is the history of scientific study of this destructive insect: innocuous discovery and devastating impacts where they were least expected given the state of research at the time. Here I give a history of the discovery and emergence of this insect outbreak along with a review of its impacts in forest ecosystems. I use this information to draw comparisons to other outbreaks to ask if HWA holds lessons that can help forest health professionals avoid the most dreaded outcome: “it was obvious in retrospect.”
Biography: Richard Cobb is from Payson, Arizona. He has a BS in Environmental Science from Northern Arizona University, a MS in Forestry from the University of Maine, and a PhD from UC Davis where he also did a post doc, both focusing on Sudden Oak Death. He is Assistant Professor of Forest Health at California State Polytechnic University.

SFWS Seminar Series – Dr. David M. Nanang
2018-10-17 11:00 - 12:00 | College of Forestry, Wildlife and Environment, 602 Duncan Drive, Auburn, AL, 36849, United States
Auburn University School of Forestry and Wildlife Sciences Fall Seminar Series Presents:
Dr. David M. Nanang, Director General of the Great Lakes Forestry Centre, Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario, Canada, will give a talk titled, Canadian Forest Service – Leading Forest Research and Innovation.
Seminar is held at 11 a.m. in Classroom 1223 in the SFWS Building, 602 Duncan Drive, Auburn, AL.

Faculty, students and the public are invited to attend this free program.
Complimentary cookies and coffee will be served.
CFEs are available by request.
Advanced registration is not required.
Parking is available on the 3rd and 4th floors of the South Quad parking deck on Duncan Drive, directly across from the SFWS Building. See Parking Services on Level 3 to obtain a visitor pass.

Abstract: In this seminar, Dr. David Nanang will provide an overview of the forest science research within the Canadian Forest Service of Natural Resources Canada and explore the challenges of forest research in a fast changing world. He will examine the policy drivers for forest research and the factors that are shaping future direction for forest research within the Government of Canada.
Biography: Dr. David Nanang is the Director General at Natural Resources Canada’s Great Lakes Forestry Centre in Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario. Dr. Nanang’s career in the federal Public Service of Canada spans over 15 years and several policy and research leadership positions including: Forest Economist; Senior Policy Advisor; Environmental Policy and Regulatory Affairs Advisor; and Director of Forest Ecology Division.
Dr. Nanang’s academic training includes a BSc in Natural Resource Management from the University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana, an MSc in Forestry from Lakehead University and a PhD in Forest Economics from the University of Alberta, Canada. He is the author and co-author of two books on plantation forestry, and co-edited a book on natural resources.

Weaver Lecture Series and Graduate Research Symposium
2018-10-17 15:00 - 17:00 | College of Forestry, Wildlife and Environment, 602 Duncan Drive, Auburn, AL, 36849, United States
The School of Forestry and Wildlife Sciences Weaver Lecture Series will present a talk by Richard Pouyat, former White House science and technology advisor and current president of the Ecological Society of America, on Wednesday, Oct. 17, at 3 p.m., immediately followed by a graduate research symposium and reception at 4:15 p.m.
Weaver Lecture Series Seminar
Pouyat, a national program leader for USDA Forest Service’s Air and Soil Quality Research program in Washington D.C., will give a lecture titled, “Integrating Science and Policy for Environmental Decision Making,” that will discuss the critically important roles scientific information and the scientific community can play in the policy development process, including issue identification, monitoring and evaluation.
The School of Forestry and Wildlife Sciences’ Weaver Lecture Series was established in 1996 through an endowment provided by Earl H. and Sandra H. Weaver. The objective of the series is to bring individuals with expertise in various aspects of forestry and wildlife sciences to the Auburn University campus to enhance the School’s academic programs through public lectures and interaction with faculty and students.
The free seminar, which is open to the public and all members of the campus community, will be held on Wednesday, Oct. 17, at 3 p.m. in the conference hall, room 1101, located on the first floor of the School of Forestry and Wildlife Sciences Building at 602 Duncan Drive, Auburn, Alabama.
Graduate Research Symposium and Reception
A graduate research symposium and reception will immediately follow the lecture at 4:15 p.m. in the conference hall. The presentation will highlight the diversity of the school’s research program and provide graduate students opportunity to present their research to stakeholders and members of the academic community.
This is a complimentary event for faculty, staff and students. Light refreshments and free parking are offered for attendees. Parking will be available on the third and fourth levels of the South Quad Parking Deck. Advanced registration and parking passes are not required.
Integrating Science and Policy for Environmental Decision Making
Abstract
Scientific information can and should play an important role in the process of environmental policy development and implementation. Scientific information and the scientific community can play critically important roles in several parts of the policy process, including issue identification and problem definition, development of alternative policies, monitoring and evaluation during policy implementation, and feedback into the ongoing policy process. These interventions can occur at the level of both the institution and individual scientist; however, there are cultural and procedural barriers that restrict the exchange of information between the scientific community and decision makers. For example, real and perceived incongruence in timing between the pace of scientific discovery and policy development often reinforces the belief that science cannot realistically be integrated into the policy process. Moreover, at the interpersonal level, scientists have limited time, opportunities, or in many cases incentive to work with decision makers on specific environmental issues. Finally, from the public’s perspective, many of today’s environmental issues are subtle and complex and thus require more explanation and understanding of the scientific process and uncertainty. To close, I suggest actions that the ecological and environmental science community can undertake to effectively integrate science with public policy including at the least to encourage scientist involvement with communicating science to the public and policy makers, while at the most choose career paths that intersect the making of public policy.
Speaker Biography
Richard Pouyat, a national program leader for USDA Forest Service’s Air and Soil Quality Research program in Washington D.C., is a former White House Office of Science and Technology advisor and the current president of the Ecological Society of America. Pouyat received his Ph.D. in ecology from Rutgers University and an M.S. in forest soils and B.S. in forest biology at the College of Environmental Science and Forestry. His training in ecology, soil science, and biogeochemistry to investigate urban ecosystems and the effect of urban sprawl on natural systems is extensive. Pouyat’s career and research have focused on applying ecological and social sciences to the solutions of contemporary problems in natural resource management and policy. Previous to his current roles, Pouyat also served as an original co-principal investigator of the Baltimore Ecosystem Study, a Long Term Ecological Research site funded by the National Science Foundation.

Science on Saturdays: Hummingbirds
2018-10-20 10:00 - 11:30 | Kreher Preserve and Nature Center, 2222 N. College Street, Auburn, AL, 36830, United States
Join hummingbird bander and specialist, Mr. Fred Bassett, for a fascinating program on hummingbirds. Learn all about these tiny birds who can fly all the way across the Gulf of Mexico each year in the fall and back again in the spring! Children activities will be available. No registration required. Admission is $4 for members and $5 for non-members.

M.S. Seminar - Shrijana Duwadi
2018-10-22 13:00 - 14:00
M.S. Seminar: Shrijana Duwadi, Maj. Prof, Dr. Lori Eckhardt
Title: TBD
Location: Dixon Conference Room
Date: Monday, October 22, 2018
Time: 1:00 p.m.

SFWS Seminar - Dale Dickens
2018-10-24 11:00 - 12:00 | College of Forestry, Wildlife and Environment, 602 Duncan Drive, Auburn, AL, 36849, United States
Auburn University School of Forestry and Wildlife Sciences Fall Seminar Series Presents:
Mr. Dale Dickens, Alabama Urban Forestry Coordinator with the Alabama Forestry Commission, will give a talk titled, Alabama’s Urban Forest Strike Team.
Seminar is held at 11 a.m. in Conference Room 1101 in the SFWS Building, 602 Duncan Drive, Auburn, AL.

Faculty, students and the public are invited to attend this free program.
Complimentary cookies and coffee will be served.
CFEs are available by request.
Advanced registration is not required.
Parking is available on the 3rd and 4th floors of the South Quad parking deck on Duncan Drive, directly across from the SFWS Building. See Parking Services on Level 3 to obtain a visitor pass.

Abstract: The Urban Forest Strike Team was developed in 2007 by the USDA Forest Service and several Southeastern states. They found in the aftermath of natural disasters, recovery crews and volunteers were often unable to properly evaluate tree damage and risk. By enlisting the help of tree care professionals, the Urban Forest Strike Team strives to assist disaster-stricken communities who have little or no urban forest management staff. The strike team provides data to the community and aims to reduce unnecessary loss of tree canopy, increase public safety, plan an efficient and cost-effective recovery, and document recovery needs and costs for FEMA reimbursement. This presentation will describe the teams, the process of evaluation, and the recent deployment to assist Jacksonville State University following the tornados in March, 2018.
Biography: Dale Dickens joined the Alabama Forestry Commission on January 24, 2014 as Alabama’s Urban Forestry Coordinator. He promotes the planning, planting and protection of the beneficial trees within our cities and communities. Along with managing the state’s Tree City USA program, he also serves at the Champion Trees Program Coordinator and Alabama’s Famous and Historic Trees Program Coordinator. His extensive management experience covers both industrial forestry and academic positions. He began his career as a research forester for Georgia Kraft Company in Rome, Georgia with research in silvicultural herbicides, growth modeling, and soil amendments. Following several reorganizations, he ended as the Area Forester over the 65,000 acre Eufaula Forest. After the company lands began to be sold, he took a position directing a forest technology program in southwest Georgia, teaching 13 courses. In 2007, an opportunity to return home to Auburn came in the form of a position as the Director of Student Services for Auburn University’s School of Forestry and Wildlife Sciences. He is a registered forester in Alabama, a Certified Arborist, and holds both a B.S. in forest management and a M.S. in forest biometrics from Auburn University. He currently resides in Opelika, Alabama with his lovely wife Lynn, and a number of exotic and not-so-exotic animals.

Halloween Enchanted Forest
2018-10-29 17:30 - 20:30 | Kreher Preserve and Nature Center, 2222 N. College Street, Auburn, AL, 36830, United States
The Kreher Preserve and Nature Center will hold their first annual Halloween Enchanted Forest on October 29 and 30 from 6 – 8 p.m. KPNC will be teaming up with the City of Auburn Junior Theater program, AU Engineering students and Auburn University student and community volunteers. This event will be a non-scary, fun educational fundraiser for the preserve. Families are invited to wear their costumes and head out with a guide onto our enchanted lit-up trails to stop at 10 stations where costumed actors will sing, dance or recite a poem about the animal, plant or insect that they represent. The costumed character will explain to the children how they “trick or treat” the other animals in the forest. A few of the character include a pitcher plant, bat, beaver and praying mantis.
Fun Halloween activities including pumpkin bowling and face painting will be available for the children before groups head out. Hikes will begin at 5:30 p.m., with groups of 15 starting their hike to visit each station every ten minutes. The last group will depart on the hike at 7:30 p.m. Tickets holders must be punctual and not miss their time slot. The night will end with a campfire with s’mores and hot cocoa available for purchase and other fun activities for the children.
Registration is required. Tickets are $5 per person. This event is not recommended for very young children who might be afraid of costumed characters. Please wear close-toed shoes and bring a flashlight. Go to the KPNC website at www.auburn.edu/preserve and click on Register/Tickets.
The KPNC is located at 2222 N. College Street, approximately 3 miles north of downtown Auburn. The KPNC offers lighted and improved parking, bathroom facilities, and drinking fountains.

Halloween Enchanted Forest
2018-10-30 17:30 - 20:30 | Kreher Preserve and Nature Center, 2222 N. College Street, Auburn, AL, 36830, United States
The Kreher Preserve and Nature Center will hold their first annual Halloween Enchanted Forest on October 29 and 30. KPNC will be teaming up with the City of Auburn Junior Theater program, AU Engineering students and Auburn University student and community volunteers. This event will be a non-scary, fun educational fundraiser for the preserve. Families are invited to wear their costumes and head out with a guide onto our enchanted lit-up trails to stop at 10 stations where costumed actors will sing, dance or recite a poem about the animal, plant or insect that they represent. The costumed character will explain to the children how they “trick or treat” the other animals in the forest. A few of the character include a pitcher plant, bat, beaver and praying mantis.
Fun Halloween activities including pumpkin bowling and face painting will be available for the children before groups head out. Hikes will begin at 5:30 p.m., with groups of 15 starting their hike to visit each station every ten minutes. The last group will depart on the hike at 7:30 p.m. Tickets holders must be punctual and not miss their time slot. The night will end with a campfire with s’mores and hot cocoa available for purchase and other fun activities for the children.
We hope to make this new fun Halloween event a favorite of our community. Registration is required. Tickets are $5 per person. This event is not recommended for very young children who might be afraid of costumed characters. Please wear close-toed shoes and bring a flashlight. Go to the KPNC website at www.auburn.edu/preserve and click on Register/Tickets.
The KPNC is located at 2222 N. College Street, approximately 3 miles north of downtown Auburn. The KPNC offers lighted and improved parking, bathroom facilities, and drinking fountains.

SFWS Seminar Series – Dr. Scott Salom
2018-10-31 11:00 - 12:00 | College of Forestry, Wildlife and Environment, 602 Duncan Drive, Auburn, AL, 36849, United States
Auburn University School of Forestry and Wildlife Sciences Fall Seminar Series Presents:
Dr. Scott Salom of the Department of Entomology at Virginia Tech, will give a talk titled, Long-term research effort on hemlock woolly adelgid biology,
impacts, and management.
Seminar is held at 11 a.m. in Classroom 1223 in the SFWS Building, 602 Duncan Drive, Auburn, AL.

Faculty, students and the public are invited to attend this free program.
Complimentary cookies and coffee will be served.
CFEs are available by request.
Advanced registration is not required.
Parking is available on the 3rd and 4th floors of the South Quad parking deck on Duncan Drive, directly across from the SFWS Building. See Parking Services on Level 3 to obtain a visitor pass.

Abstract: Hemlock woolly adelgid (HWA) is an invasive insect killing eastern and Carolina hemlocks through an ever expanding range in the eastern U.S. Both tree species lack the ability to tolerate adelgid infestations and no specific natural enemies were present to help regulate the insect’s populations. A long-term effort has focused on studying the biology of HWA and its natural enemies. Our lab has focused principally on the study of Derodontid beetles, known adelgid specialists. The biological control program using these natural enemies will be the focus of this presentation.
Biography: Scott M. Salom, Professor, Department of Entomology at Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA., earned a B.S. (1981) from Iowa State University (Forestry and Pest Management), an M.S. (1985) from University of Arkansas (Entomology), advised by Fred Stephen, and a Ph.D. (1989) from University of British Columbia (Forestry), advised by John McLean.
Scott Salom came to Virginia Tech in 1989 as a post-doc and assumed a tenure-track position in 1993. In the early years his research focused on management of pine reproduction weevils and use of semiochemicals to manage southern pine beetle. He eventually began to study non-native invasive forest pests, where he and his group have been developing biological control solutions for these problems. This includes studying the organisms in their native and introduced environments, identifying and studying mortality agents such as predatory insects or fungal pathogens, and then incorporating their use into integrated pest management solutions. He has supervised 13 Ph.D. and 10 M.S. students and currently supervises 3 Ph.D. and 2 M.S. students.
Some recognition of his work includes:

2010 Distinguished Alumni Award, Department of Entomology, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, AR
2009 A. D. Hopkins Award – Southern Forest Insect Work Conference
2008 Award for Excellence in Applied Research – College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Virginia Tech
2008 Award for Excellence in Integrated Pest Management – Eastern Branch, Entomological Society of America

M.S. Seminar - Michael Ramirez
2018-11-01 13:30 - 14:30 | College of Forestry, Wildlife and Environment, 602 Duncan Drive, Auburn, AL, 36849, United States
M.S. Seminar: Michael Ramirez, Maj. Prof, Dr. Lisa Samuelson
Title: Impacts of drought and 40% throughfall reduction on water relations of a longleaf pine stand
Location: Dixon Conference Room, 3315
Date: Thursday, November 1, 2018
Time: 1:30 p.m.
Abstract:
Projections of increased frequency and severity of climate change induced drought have raised concerns about the health, productivity and composition of forests in the southeastern United States. Longleaf pine (Pinus palustris Mill.) is a native species that thrives on sites that are frequently disturbed by fire and is thought to be more tolerant of drought stress than other southern pines, making it a suitable species to withstand future climate conditions. However, the limits and mechanisms of that presumed drought tolerance are not known. This study used in-situ manipulation of water availability to examine the effects of drought on water relations in a longleaf pine plantation. Specifically, the effects of a 40% reduction in throughfall precipitation on leaf water potential, sap flux density, whole-tree hydraulic conductance, and productivity were investigated. Following the installation of the throughfall reduction treatment in May 2016, a prolonged natural drought occurred wherein little to no precipitation fell on the site from September 2016 until the end of November 2016. Throughfall reduction was not found to effect leaf water potential or productivity during the 2016 natural drought but did reduce sap flux density and whole-tree hydraulic conductance. As natural drought conditions alleviated in 2017, the 40% throughfall reduction treatment did reduce sap flux density, but did not significantly affect leaf water potential, whole-tree hydraulic conductance, or productivity. Longleaf pine survived severe water deficit and may resist future climate change stress in the Southeast, through a partially conservative water use strategy.

M.S. Seminar - Ellary TuckerWilliams
2018-11-02 13:00 - 14:00
M.S. Seminar: Ellary TuckerWilliams, Maj. Prof, Dr. Chris Lepczyk
Title: Stakeholders Perspectives on Wild Pig and Management in Alabama
Location: Dixon Conference Room
Date: Friday, November 2, 2018
Time: 1:00 p.m.
Abstract:
As a species of global concern, the wild pig (Sus scrofa) is a detrimental invasive species with negative economic, public and ecological health impacts. Despite the well-known negative impacts associated with wild pigs, little is known about the human dimensions of wild pig management and policy. To address this issue, my research goal was to determine stakeholders’ perspectives towards wild pig management. Specifically, I sought to evaluate stakeholder perspectives on the potential use of toxicants and understand wild pig management effort on privately owned lands, the perceived impact of wild pigs, and policy beliefs. To address these questions, I surveyed farmers, hunters, and forestland owners across the state of Alabama. Overall, my findings suggest stakeholders are generally accepting of toxicant use in wild pig management. Stakeholders believe wild pigs have negative economic, public and ecological health impacts. However less than half of landowners participate in wild pig control, but believe that the responsibility of managing and paying for damages associated with wild pigs lies with individual landowners. Findings from this research informs managers and policy makers that improved wild pig management would be supported by the majority of stakeholders.

SFWS Seminar Series – Dr. Luis O. Morales
2018-11-07 11:00 - 12:00 | College of Forestry, Wildlife and Environment, 602 Duncan Drive, Auburn, AL, 36849, United States
Auburn University School of Forestry and Wildlife Sciences Fall Seminar Series Presents:
Luis O Morales, Postdoctoral Researcher at the Department of Horticultural Science, North Carolina State University, will give a talk titled, Unraveling Molecular and Physiological Mechanisms Mediating Stress Acclimation in Plants.
Seminar is held at 11 a.m. in Conference Room 1101 in the SFWS Building, 602 Duncan Drive, Auburn, AL.

Faculty, students and the public are invited to attend this free program.
Complimentary cookies and coffee will be served.
CFEs are available by request.
Advanced registration is not required.
Parking is available on the 3rd and 4th floors of the South Quad parking deck on Duncan Drive, directly across from the SFWS Building. See Parking Services on Level 3 to obtain a visitor pass.

Abstract: Improving agricultural productivity to feed a growing world population is a grand challenge that will require a better understanding of the complex interactions between plants and their environment. Plants are constantly challenged by unfavorable conditions that limit their optimal growth and survival. During this talk I will address molecular and physiological events mediating stress acclimation in plants, especially those related to ultraviolet (UV) radiation and ozone (O3). Using reverse genetics, transcriptome and physiological analysis, we showed that wavelengths in the UV-B (280-315 nm) and UV-A/blue (315-500 nm) regions of the spectrum perceived by UV RESISTANCE LOCUS 8 (UVR8) and cryptochromes (CRY1 and CRY2) promote a range of responses essential for plant acclimation. This includes transcript accumulation of genes involved in photoprotective pathways, the accumulation of stress related hormones and phenolic compounds. Using O3 as an experimental tool to produce reactive oxygen species (ROS) in the apoplast of plant cells, we have assessed key roles for ROS in mediating defense signaling in Arabidopsis thaliana. Furthermore, we have identified small RNAs as post-transcriptional regulators of ROS-mediated cell death and gene expression.
Biography: Luis O Morales, born in Pinar del Río, Cuba, is currently a postdoctoral researcher at the Department of Horticultural Science, North Carolina State University. He holds degrees from the University of Pinar del Río (MSc in Agricultural Engineering, 1996), the University of Havana (MSc, Plant Biotechnology, 2004) and the University of Helsinki (PhD, Plant Biology, 2014). In previous postdoctoral research at the University of Helsinki, Dr. Morales combined plant genomics, physiology, molecular biology, bioinformatics and statistics to examine the effects of abiotic stresses on plants at various molecular levels. In his current research at NCSU, Luis aims to combine his expertise in photobiology and plant biochemistry to improve phytochemical contents in important crop species. To date, he has published 14 manuscripts in peer-reviewed journals, delivered a range of invited lectures and organized a symposium on Molecular aspects of UV-B photoprotections at the 16th Congress of the European Society of Photobiology, Aveiro, Portugal 2015. In addition, he has taught plant physiology to undergraduates at the University of Pinar del Río for three years, as well as designed and delivered practical courses on the analysis of gene expression data to graduate students at the University of Helsinki. Dr. Morales is also very passionate about promoting plant science to society in general.

Alabama Recreational Trails Leadership Workshop
2018-11-08 08:00 - 17:00 | College of Forestry, Wildlife and Environment, 602 Duncan Drive, Auburn, AL, 36849, United States
The Alabama Recreational Trails Leadership Workshop will be held at the Auburn University School of Forestry and Wildlife Sciences on Thursday, Nov. 8. This fun and informative gathering of those involved with planning, development and management of recreational trails in Alabama will be held from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. in the SFWS Conference Hall, Room 1101. Registration is $35 and includes a light breakfast, boxed lunch and optional field trip.

SFWS Seminar - Jussi Uusivuori
2018-11-14 11:00 - 12:00 | College of Forestry, Wildlife and Environment, 602 Duncan Drive, Auburn, AL, 36849, United States
Auburn University School of Forestry and Wildlife Sciences Fall Seminar Series Presents:
Jussi Uusivuori will give a talk titled, Forests and Climate Policies: What have we learned?
Seminar is held at 11 a.m. in Classroom 1223 in the SFWS Building, 602 Duncan Drive, Auburn, AL.

Faculty, students and the public are invited to attend this free program.
Complimentary cookies and coffee will be served.
CFEs are available by request.
Advanced registration is not required.
Parking is available on the 3rd and 4th floors of the South Quad parking deck on Duncan Drive, directly across from the SFWS Building. See Parking Services on Level 3 to obtain a visitor pass.

Ph.D. Seminar: Marissa "Jo" Daniel
2018-11-27 08:00 - 09:30 | College of Forestry, Wildlife and Environment, 602 Duncan Drive, Auburn, AL, 36849, United States
Ph.D. Seminar: Marissa Jo. Daniel, Maj. Prof, Dr. Tom Gallagher
Title: A New Era for Forest Operations in the Southeastern Region of the United States
Location: 3315 Dixon Conference Room
Date: Tuesday, November 27, 2018
Time: 8:00 a.m.
Abstract:
Forest operations in the southeastern region of the United States has remained relatively unchanged since the inception of conventional mechanized equipment. As new technologies are developed, new operational techniques emerge that have the potential to replace today’s standard practices. While many of these practices have been studied elsewhere around the world, few have been researched for their applicability in the southeast.
Three separate studies were conducted. The first, used both a modeling tool as well as a field study to analyze altering establishment spacing, harvesting frequency, and harvesting machines to determine if an increase in sawtimber volumes were seen from these changes. Results depicted a minimum increase of 15 green tons per acre for sawtimber using one or more of the above mentioned techniques for the modeling tool. The field study demonstrated an additional 10 green tons per acre of biomass material could be harvested by altering establishment spacing.
The second assessed the prospective production and cost increases of using tracked processors either in the woods in conjunction with conventional harvesting equipment or on a centralized logging depot where one processor would merchandize multiple logger’s trees. The study also compared the difference in an experienced operator versus an inexperienced operator. Results showed that at the end of the machines depreciated life, year 5, a logger could expect to pay $1.93 per green ton to own and operate the processor. At the end of year 10, the actual life of the machine, they would expect to pay $1.75 per green ton. An overall gain in productivity was realized in both operators, with the experienced operator producing 14 additional green tons per productive machine hour.
The final study evaluated the differences in total stem value when merchandizing with a tracked processor versus a knuckle-boom loader. Results determined when diameter and total lengths were visually estimated, a significant difference in total value occurred, however once these two variables were adjusted to match the tracked processors more accurate measurements, no difference in value was seen even though there was still a difference in how the wood was merchandized.

SFWS Seminar Series - Armando McDonald
2019-01-23 11:00 - 12:00 | College of Forestry, Wildlife and Environment, 602 Duncan Drive, Auburn, AL, 36849, United States
Armando G. McDonald, Professor of Renewable Materials, Department of Forest, Rangeland and Fire Science, University of Idaho
“The effect of biochar as reinforcing filler on the properties of wood plastic composites.”
Seminar is held at 11 a.m. in Conference Room 1101 in the SFWS Building, 602 Duncan Drive, Auburn, AL.

Faculty, students and the public are invited to attend this free program.
Complimentary cookies and coffee will be served.
CFEs are available by request.
Advanced registration is not required.
Parking is available on the 3rd and 4th floors of the South Quad parking deck on Duncan Drive, directly across from the SFWS Building. See Parking Services on Level 2 to obtain a visitor pass.

Abstract: The focus of this study was to observe the effect of biochar as reinforcing filler substitute for high density polyethylene (HDPE) based wood plastic composites. Four fibers types: Douglas-fir (DF), Western Renewable Technologies (WRT) biochar, Amaron (AM) biochar, and Norit activated (NA) carbon were evaluated. The composites were evaluated for their mechanical properties, water absorptions, thermal and viscoelastic properties, rheological behavior, and weatherability. The NA composite melts showed the higher modulus and viscosity, indicating better melt strength. In addition, the NA composites performed the best in tensile strength (28.6 MPa) and tensile modulus (3.4 GPa). The NA composites showed lower tan δ and adhesion factor, indicating the strong interfacial interaction between carbon particles and the matrix. The softening temperature (Ts) of the composites were improved upon addition of fillers. The degree of HDPE crystallinity in the biochar and carbon composites decreased relative to the DF composites, while the thermal properties of the composites improved compared with DF composites. For the water resistance, the DF composites displayed the highest water absorption (3.7%) and thickness swell (2.9%). During accelerated weathering tests, longer exposure time increased the degree of color change and lightness, especially for the DF composite. NA and biochar composites resulted in improved photostability.
Biography: Armando McDonald is a Professor of Renewable Materials in the Department of Forest, Rangeland and Fire Science, University of Idaho (UI) with over 33 years’ experience in bioproducts and biomaterials research and development and has presented and published numerous articles. Armando came to UI in 2001 from New Zealand Forest Research, where he was a Group Leader of the Materials Discovery group. His time at UI is devoted to mainly research and teaching with some extension/service activities. He teaches classes in Biocomposites, Biomass chemistry, and Bioproducts and Bioprocess Development. Dr. McDonald has graduated eight Ph.D. students and 15 M.S. students and hosted 15 International visiting scholars in his Renewable Materials Laboratory. Dr. McDonalds’ group is currently investigating: (i) bioplastics from lignin and other waste streams, (ii) biofuels from pyrolysis of biomass, (iii) development of nanostructured Fischer-Tropsch catalysts for production of fuels, (iv) biocomposites, (v) algae conversion to fuels, (vi) biomass conversion into chemicals, (vii) torrefaction of biomass and waste, and (viii) natural products chemistry. Furthermore, Dr. McDonald also works with industry from service work to product development projects.

SFWS Seminar Series - Caterina Villari
2019-01-30 11:00 - 12:00 | College of Forestry, Wildlife and Environment, 602 Duncan Drive, Auburn, AL, 36849, United States
Caterina Villari, Assistant Professor, Warnell School of Forestry and Natural Resources, University of Georgia, and Co-Director, Southern Pine Health Research Cooperative
“Rapid identification of disease resistant trees via advanced spectroscopy-based phenotyping”
Seminar is held at 11 a.m. in Conference Room 1101 in the SFWS Building, 602 Duncan Drive, Auburn, AL.

Faculty, students and the public are invited to attend this free program.
Complimentary cookies and coffee will be served.
CFEs are available by request.
Advanced registration is not required.
Parking is available on the 3rd and 4th floors of the South Quad parking deck on Duncan Drive, directly across from the SFWS Building. See Parking Services on Level 2 to obtain a visitor pass.

Abstract: With the rapid growth of international trade, we are facing an increase in the introduction of invasive pests into North American forests. The use of genetic resistance could provide a solution to protect our native forests, especially when other management options have proven neither feasible nor successful, which is the case for many past examples. However, unless we implement marker assisted selection, conventional breeding of forest trees takes decades, even in those instances in which advance breeding and propagation can be used. In this seminar, I will describe the use of chemical spectroscopy-based fingerprinting techniques, such as Raman or Fourier-transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy, for the rapid selection of resistant trees. In particular, I will bring the example of a collaborative study which involved several European and North American institutions. The aim of the project was to test the feasibility and efficacy of FT-IR spectroscopy to rapidly phenotype European ash (Fraxinus excelsior) genotypes resistant or susceptible to ash dieback, a lethal disease caused by the invasive ascomycete Hymenoscyphus fraxineus. Analysed samples comprised both leaves and twigs collected in six European countries from trees that had been previously characterized in terms of resistance. Leaf and twig phenolic extracts were analysed with FT-IR, and resulting spectra were incorporated in a soft independent modelling of class analogy (SIMCA) model to predict the phenotype of the trees. While models built with leaves showed little power, probably due to the high chemical variability of leaf tissues, the ones built with twigs were very powerful, indicating that FT-IR can clearly discriminate between ash phenotypes displaying contrasting resistance levels to ash dieback. The SIMCA model was then validated using a separate set of completely blind samples, and showed a very high overall prediction accuracy. The implementation of spectroscopy-based techniques for resistance phenotyping has the potential to revolutionize the selection and breeding of resistant trees, not only in the European ash-ash dieback system, but potentially in many other pathosystems as well.
Biography: Caterina Villari is an Assistant Professor in Forest Pathology at the Warnell School of Forestry and Natural Resources, University of Georgia, and Co-Director of the Southern Pine Health Research Cooperative. She has a B.S. in Forest and Environmental Sciences and a M.S. in Plant Health Sciences and Technologies, both from the University of Florence (Italy). She received her Ph.D. in Crop Science, Plant Protection Curriculum from the University of Padua (Italy), and did her postdoctoral work at the Ohio State University, Department of Plant Pathology. Her main scientific interests are the interactions among trees, fungal pathogens and insect herbivores, and related chemical ecology aspects. She works with symbioses between bark beetles and fungi, plant defense mechanisms, microbial communities and early detection strategies, using an interdisciplinary approach that involves ecological, metabolomic, and molecular analyses.
