National Forestry Organization Honors Two Tech Scientists
HOUGHTON--The
Society of American Foresters is honoring two faculty members from Michigan
Technological University's School of Forestry and Wood Products for their
research achievements. "I believe this is the
first time any Michigan Tech scientist has been recognized by the society
for their research, and this may be the first time SAF has recognized
two people from the same organization except for, perhaps, the Forest
Service," said Glenn Mroz, dean of the School of Forestry and Wood
Products. "It speaks volumes to the high level of scholarship, leadership
and energy both have shown in the forest science research community. "But it also speaks about
the commitment of their research colleagues, the University and the many
organizations and friends who support their efforts and the School itself." Reed's work in forest science
represents a balance of theoretical and applied research. He has authored
or coauthored more than 120 technical publications, has served on more
than 100 graduate committees and has been the principal investigator or
co-investigator on 39 funded projects. Throughout his career, he has researched
southern pine beetles; the development of tree volume; taper and biomass
estimation systems, growth and yield modeling; and the development and
use of models to detect the often-subtle environmental effects on stand
development. Through this work, Reed has
influenced a broad spectrum of managers and scientists ranging from students
to well-established forest science researchers. Reed has performed international
work as a Fulbright Scholar in Portugal and other work abroad, most notably
in Finland, the Baltics, Poland and Russia. In recognition for this work,
he was awarded the Scientific Achievement Award from the International
Union of Forest Research Organizations in 2000. A productive researcher and
internationally recognized scholar, Pregitzer's work has yielded great
strides in the understanding of the belowground processes that sustain
forest productivity. Pregitzer has pioneered approaches for studying the
fine root systems of trees. Those approaches are widely used by researchers
throughout the world. Pregitzer has also made substantial
contributions to the understanding of climate change on forest ecosystems. Pregitzer and Reed will be
recognized along with other national awards winners at a special Oct.
7 ceremony at the 2002 SAF National Convention in Winston-Salem, N.C. For information about the
SAF national awards, visit the SAF Web site at http://www.safnet.org/who/nationalawards.html Michigan Tech is a leader
in undergraduate and graduate science and engineering education located
on a 724-acre campus in Houghton, in Michigan's Upper Peninsula. Several
of the university's key research focuses include biotechnology, environmental
science and engineering, and natural resource development. For more information
about the forestry program, see http://www.forestry.mtu.edu 8/7/02--MTN086
Professor
Kurt Pregitzer will receive the society's Barrington Moore Memorial Award.
The national award recognizes outstanding achievement in biological research
leading to the advancement of forestry.
Vice
President for Research David Reed, who is also on the forestry faculty,
will receive the society's Award in Forest Science, which recognizes distinguished
individual research in any branch of the quantitative, managerial and/or
social sciences leading to the advancement of forestry.
Pregitzer's career of more than two decades features appointments with
the USDA Forest Service's North Central Research Station, Michigan State
University and the University of Idaho. Pregitzer earned his bachelor's,
master's, and PhD degrees in forest ecology from the University of Michigan
and is a research fellow at the Hessen Forestry Research Institute in
Germany.
The Society of American Foresters is a nonprofit organization that represents
more than 17,000 professional foresters and natural resource professionals.
It is the scientific and educational association representing the profession
of forestry in the United States. The Society's primary objective is to
advance the science, technology, education, and practice of professional
forestry for the benefit of society.