Forest Biomaterials Graduate Student Association Hosts Successful Second Annual Research Symposium

The Department of Forest Biomaterials hosted its second annual Graduate/Undergraduate Research Symposium on March 7, bringing together students, faculty, industry professionals, and researchers for a day of knowledge-sharing and collaboration. Spearheaded by the Forest Biomaterials Graduate Student Association (FB GSA), the event focused on key topics such as sustainability, biomass utilization, life cycle assessment, biobased materials, recycling, the circular economy, and the graduate student experience. Designed to foster connection across academic levels, the symposium provided an opportunity for both graduate and undergraduate students to showcase their research, exchange ideas, and build a stronger, more integrated community.

Programming for the event featured a mix of engaging presentations from faculty, alumni, and students, along with an interactive poster session. Ph.D. student, Jose Fernandez, received top honors in both the oral presentation and graduate student poster categories. Reflecting on the experience, Jose shared: “I really liked the event. I think it was a great opportunity to showcase the work we’re all doing in the department. There’s a wide variety of projects, and having all that diversity in one place makes you feel that your knowledge is truly valuable and useful.”

Reflections from the 2024-2025 FB GSA Leadership Board

“Organizing the symposium was a valuable learning experience for the FB GSA Executive Board. It gave us insight into the collaborative effort that goes into planning a professional event and helped us strengthen our skills in communication, coordination, and leadership. We are grateful for the support of the department faculty, staff, student volunteers, Pulp and Paper Advisory Board, and College of Natural Resources. This event would not have been possible without their collective effort.”– Aakash Upadhyay, FB GSA President

“It was such a rewarding experience to help organize this year’s symposium. Seeing the breadth and depth of research presented by my peers, ranging from sustainability and biobased materials to life cycle assessment, was incredibly inspiring. It reminded me how much talent and passion exist in our department, and I’m proud to have played a part in creating a space for those ideas to be shared and celebrated.” -Taylor Kanipe, FB GSA Treasurer

“It was a valuable learning experience to be in the organizing team. We witnessed the incredible dedication, talent, and effort of the students conducting research in our department. The event as a whole provided a space for interaction, collaboration, and knowledge sharing among students. I hope this continues to grow and improve with the incoming GSA generations. The FB Symposium was a success, and I am proud of what our department has accomplished together.” – Maria Gonzalez, FB GSA Secretary

A huge congratulations to the organizing committee, the FB GSA Executive Board, and all of the 2025 award recipients for their outstanding contributions to this year’s event!

Executive Board

Oral Presentation Awards

Winner:
Jose Fernandez – Melt-spinning and Industrial Composting of Fibers Made of Neat PLA for Textile/Nonwovens Applications

Runner-Up:
Luz Meza – Closing the Loop: Integrating Device Design and End-of-Life Biodegradation in Sustainable Silver Nanowires–Cellulose Electronics

Poster Presentation Awards

Graduate Winner:
Jose Fernandez – Melt-spinning and Industrial Composting of Fibers Made of Neat PLA for Textile/Nonwovens Applications

Graduate Runner-Up:
Rakshit Kumar – Characterization of Non-recyclable Textile Waste Using Metadata and Hyperspectral Imaging for Valorization

Undergraduate Winner:
Dalinska Garcia – Effects of Bentonite Concentration on the Mechanical and Moisture Barrier Properties of Cellulose Nanofibrils Composite Films

Undergraduate Runner-Up:
Catherine Kirch – Recycling PLA Waste from 3D Printing into Value-Added Filament

Thank you to our speakers, presenters, volunteers, and attendees for making this event a success. We look forward to building on the symposium in 2026!