A recent journal article on an alumnus’ doctoral research at the Davis College of Agriculture, Natural Resources and Design received international recognition.
Rafael Azambuja was awarded the 2024 L.J. Markwardt Award from the Forest Products Society, which recognizes “the author of a Forest Products Journal technical paper that has the most outstanding merit in the field of wood as an engineering material.”
Azambuja is a forest engineer from Brazil who received his doctorate degree in forest resources science in May 2022, advised by David DeVallance. His research focused on developing cross-laminated timber panels produced from low-grade Appalachian hardwood.
His winning article, “Cross-Laminated Timber Panels Produced from Low-Grade Yellow-Poplar Sorted by Structural Visual Grade,” examined how a low-grade timber that is not currently used in wood products can be used in construction. He worked with Division of Forestry professors Joe McNeel and Greg Dahl.
“The prospect of using a production surplus in a promising engineered wood product should provide financial incentives for the industry to seek the development of these novelty panels,” Azambuja stated in the paper’s abstract.
Azambuja recently attended the FPS International Convention in Knoxville, Tennessee, where he personally received the award.
Prior to the ceremony, he has been sharing his findings in scientific papers and college talks in Brazil, which he plans to continue.
The Davis College of Agriculture, Natural Resources and Design envisions a world sustainably fed, clothed and sheltered. Keep up with the latest updates and news on Facebook, Instagram and YouTube by following @WVUDavis.