Research Awards and Grants (December 2024)

Each month College of Natural Resources faculty receive awards and grants from various federal, state, and nongovernmental agencies in support of their research. This report recognizes the faculty who received funding in December 2024.

Genomic Tools for Christmas Tree Health

• PI: Whitehill, Justin
• Direct Sponsor Name: North Carolina Department of Agriculture & Consumer Services
• Awarded Amount: $140,229
• Abstract: This project will be a collaboration between the Christmas Tree Genetics Program, the Forest Health and Conservation Program, and the Molecular Tree Breeding Lab in the Department of Forestry and Environmental Resources at North Carolina State University. Our goal is to accelerate the genetic improvement of Fraser fir against the tree-killing pathogen Phytophthora root rot (PRR). Fraser fir is one of North Carolina???s most important specialty crops generating annual revenues exceeding $100 million. The development of novel genomic tools and technologies will have a positive, transformative impact on the North Carolina Christmas tree industry. Our project builds on resources developed by the NCSU Christmas Tree Genetics Program in collaboration with the NCDA and NC Christmas tree growers over the past 4+ decades. We propose four major objectives in this proposal: (1) genomic resource development of Fraser fir responses to Phytophthora; (2) identification of PRR elicitors; (3) evaluation of Fraser fir response

Separating Autotrophic and Heterotrophic Respiration in Restored Pocosins

• PI: Ardon, Marcelo
• Direct Sponsor Name: Nature Conservancy
• Awarded Amount: $98,951 
• Abstract: We are proposing to start with a 1-year preliminary study to start to document spatial and seasonal changes in autotrophic and heterotrophic respiration in both drained and restored sections of Pocosin Lakes Wildlife Refuge.

Commercializing Hardwood Cross-Laminated Timbers Through Innovative Design and Technology Transfer

• PI: Wang, Jingxin
• Direct Sponsor Name: US Forest Service
• Awarded Amount: $$110,037 
• Abstract: In this project, Jingxin Wang will lead Task 3: Investigate the critical impacts of CLT manufacturing in the Eastern US, which includes the investigation of the level of awareness, perceptions, and willingness to adopt HCLT among structural engineers, architects, and construction firms through conducting surveys and interviews to eastern U.S. engineering and construction firms. He will also examine the market potential by estimating the number of mid-range buildings (4 to 8 stories) that could be possibly converted from concrete/steel to using CLTs. A conceptual model will be developed including the most critical factors that influence the adoption of CLT, and then the market segments for CLT adoption in the region will be identified through data analytics. The market strategies will be developed based on the SWOT (Strength, Weakness, Opportunity and Threats) analysis system and customer-oriented marketing concept. The economic and environmental impacts of HCLTs on the construction market in the eastern 

Evaluation of pesticides Against Elongate Hemlock Scale and Other Insects in Christmas Trees

• PI: Bookwalter, Jamie
• Direct Sponsor Name: Valent USA Corp.
• Awarded Amount: $$8,217 
• Abstract: Experiments evaluating the efficacy of pesticides (Esteem, Knack, and/or Applaud 70DF) against elongate hemlock scale and/or cryptomeria will be conducted. Sites with high levels of infestation of these pests will be selected in 2024. The sites will be located on one or more cooperative grower sites and applied using a high pressure hose, the industry standard

The Southern Fire Exchange: Putting Fire Science on the Ground

• PI: Roise, Joseph
• Direct Sponsor Name: Bureau of Land Management
• Awarded Amount: $148,268
• Abstract: The key goals of the Southern Fire Exchange are to unite the fire science and natural resource management communities in the southern U.S. and to increase the awareness, access, understanding and application of wildland fire science into regional natural resource management decisions. Over the last three years, we have focused on refining our core interactive fire science delivery programs, such as workshops, field tours and webinars, in ways that have solidified our role as a key knowledge broker for fire science in the region.

Global Centers: CIRCLE: Center for Innovative Recycling and Circular Economy

• PI: Park, Sunkyu
• Direct Sponsor Name: National Science Foundation (NSF)
• Awarded Amount: $222,959

Abstract: This is a multi-country proposal. The U.S. funding agency is the National Science Foundation. In the U.S., we will address plastic upcycling.  We will develop feed agnostic chemical conversion followed by biological processes to produce high value products.