Faculty Research
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The Department of Forestry and Environmental Resources (FER) is recognized worldwide for its cutting-edge research into issues involving forestry, wildlife management, environmental sciences, biotechnology and more. These efforts are important not only because they lead to new breakthroughs in foresty and natural resource management, but also because they provide a valuable training ground for students interested in working on the frontline of their chosen fields as part of their educational experience.
Over the last four decades, FER's faculty has been responsible for many significant discoveries in forestry and natural resource management, including:
- Gene sequencing and mapping project for one of the Southeast’s most economically and ecologically important tree species – the loblolly pine
- MicroRNA tree-specific genetic “on/off switches” that could lead to better understanding of how trees form wood and resist stress
- Procedure to genetically engineer duckweed, a common aquatic weed,
to produce therapeutic proteins like insulin led to start up company - Biolex. - Christmas Tree Genetics Research program has led to increased success
for Christmas Tree Growers
As a result, many FER faculty members have been recognized internationally for their research excellence, including:
- Dr. Vincent Chiang - Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) and 2004 -2005 NC State Alumni Distinguished Research Award
- Dr. Ron Sederoff - Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS), Fellow of the National Academy of Sciences, fellow of the International Acdemy of Wood Science, and Doctor Honoris Causa from the Swedish Agricultural University
- Dr. Steve McKeand - Inaugural Recipient of the NC State Service to Society
and the Environment Award
Our researchers have also spearheaded the development of formal industry research cooperatives and public/private partnerships that pool the expertise of industry, academic and field sectors and serve as unique repositories of knowledge for many critical areas within forestry and environmental resource management.
For more information on individual research initiatives, please explore our Faculty Directory or any of the links at left.
