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Forest Biomaterials

Third Annual Forest Biomaterials Graduate and Undergraduate Symposium

July 22, 2026
A group of speakers at a symposium, with one woman delivering a welcome message while a man in a suit stands beside her. Research posters are displayed in the background, and attendees are seated at tables, engaging with the presentation.
Forest Biomaterials Graduate Student Association (FB GSA) President Isabel Urdaneta kicks off the symposium by welcoming students, faculty, and industry guests.

This past spring, the Department of Forest Biomaterials hosted its third annual Graduate and Undergraduate Symposium. The event was highly successful, showcasing outstanding student research, strong student engagement, and meaningful collaboration between academia and industry.

The symposium opened with remarks from Department Head Dr. Jingxin Wang, who highlighted the department’s recent accomplishments, ongoing initiatives, and vision for the future. Participation was exceptional, with a record-setting 34 student posters, which was the highest number in the symposium’s history, and a consistently full venue that encouraged active discussion and knowledge exchange.

Distinguished speakers from NCSU, BASF, Veolia, NLR, RYAM, and Simplifyber provided valuable insights into career pathways and industry perspectives. Highlights included talks by Dr. Tamara Pandolfo on career development and technological adaptation, and Omar Guerra (NLR) on national lab opportunities and collaboration. An engaging panel discussion featuring Joo Lee (BASF), Juliana Jardim (Simplifyber), and Shelly Johnson (Veolia) further enriched the experience.

Outstanding student research was recognized through poster awards:

Graduate:

  • 1st – Jose Fernandez
  • 2nd – Luz Meza
  • 3rd – Hao-chen Sun

Undergraduate:

  • 1st – Catherine Kirch
A group of attendees discusses a research poster at a symposium in a well-lit indoor space, with additional posters visible in the background.
The symposium’s poster session encouraged meaningful discussion as students shared their research with faculty, peers, and industry professionals.

The event concluded with remarks from Dr. Hasan Jameel, followed by a well-attended networking dinner that fostered meaningful connections. FB GSA extends sincere thanks to all sponsors, faculty, leadership, students, and staff whose support made this symposium possible!