The College of Natural Resources has announced Jingxin Wang as the new head of the Department of Forest Biomaterials, effective January 1, 2024.
Wang joins the College of Natural Resources from West Virginia University (WVU) where he is the Benedum Distinguished Scholar, Davis Michael Professor of Forestry and Natural Resources, director of the WVU Center for Sustainable Biomaterials and Bioenergy, and associate director for research in the Division of Forestry and Natural Resources.
He brings more than 15 years of demonstrated leadership experience and extensive expertise in forestry and natural resources, sustainable biomaterials and bioenergy. In 2019, he led the accreditation process for WVU’s forest resources management, wood science and technology, and recreation, parks and tourism programs by the Society of American Foresters and Society of Wood Science and Technology.
Wang also leads curricula revisions and student recruiting activities on a regular basis and developed a strong and competitive transdisciplinary STEM research program to promote forest biomaterials and biomass R&D for bioenergy and bioproducts.
A recognized expert across disciplines, his research interests include biomass energy and bioproducts, forest carbon management and decarbonized bioeconomy, computer simulation and system modeling, and forest ecosystem services and climate change.
Wang has authored or co-authored 200 peer-reviewed papers and 12 books or book chapters. He is a leading investigator for several U.S. Department of Agriculture and U.S. Department of Energy projects focused on biomass energy and bioproducts. He has served as an editorial board member and associate editor for four international journals and is an active member in six international professional societies.
He earned three degrees (B.S., M.S. and Ph.D.) in forest/mechanical engineering from Jilin Forestry College and Northeast Forestry University in China. He also received a M.S. in computer science from West Virginia University and a Ph.D. in forest resource management from the University of Georgia.
“I am confident that the Department of Forest Biomaterials’ strong reputation, programs and industry partnerships combined with Wang’s leadership and expertise will set the department on a trajectory of continued excellence for years to come,” said Myron Floyd, dean of the College of Natural Resources.
The current interim department head, Stephen Kelley, will step down on July 1, 2023. A new interim department head will be announced to serve until Wang begins his service.
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