Forest Genetics & Biotechnology

Promo Area

Professor Vincent Chiang, a forest genetics and biotechnology expert who is a member of the FER faculty, is a recipient of the North Carolina State University Alumni Outstanding Research Award — one of the highest honors the University confers on its faculty.

Key Contacts

Vincent Chiang
Professor,
Co-Director, Forest Biotechnology Group
Phone: 919-513.0098
Fax: 919-515-7801
vincent_chiang@ncsu.edu

Ron Sederoff
Professor,
Co-Director, Forest Biotechnology Group
Phone: 919-513-0073
volvo@unity.ncsu.edu

John Frampton
Professor & Christmas Tree Genetics Program Leader
Phone: 919-515-7580
john_frampton@ncsu.edu

Steve McKeand
Professor,
Director of NCSU Cooperative Tree Improvement Program
Phone: 919-515-3168

Fax: 919-515-3169
steve_mckeand@ncsu.edu

Fikret Isik
Research Assistant Professor, NCSU Cooperative Tree Improvement Program
Phone: 919-515-5029
Fax: 919-515-3169
fisik@ncsu.edu

Ross Whetten
Associate Professor,

NCSU Cooperative Tree Improvement Program
Phone: 919-515-7578

Fax: 919-515-3169

ross_whetten@ncsu.edu

Bill S. Dvorak
Professor,
Director of CAMCORE
Phone: 919-515-6426
W_Dvorak@ncsu.edu

Gary R. Hodge
Professor

CAMCORE

Phone: 919-515-6427
grh@ncsu.edu

Case in Point

FER Home : Forest Genetics & Biotechnology : Case in Point

Using Collaboration To Accelerate Progress

In 2004, faculty members within the Department of Forestry and Enviromental Resources established the North Carolina State University Forest Biotechnology Industrial Research Consortium (FORBIRC).

FORBIRC is directed by FER Professor Vincent Chiang and coordinated by FER Professors Ron Sederoff and Hou-min Chang. Twelve other faculty members from FER and the Paper and Engineering Science and Wood Products groups from the College of Natural Resources are also involved. Industry partners include about a dozen participating companies from all over the world. 

The Consortium promotes innovation and advances in forest, wood, and paper science using the most advanced forest biotechnology by creating a collaborative platform involving leading forest products industry participants worldwide and NC State University. Its mission is to integrate genome technology, metabolic engineering, traditional tree breeding and wood and paper science into a research organization directed to the creation of superior wood as a raw material and as a product.

Companies and research organizations are welcome to join the Consortium at any time — creating an on-going collaboration with the ability to drive significant industry progress within a very short time.

Lab work