Forest Research Institute Showcase | UniSC | University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, Australia

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Forest Research Institute Showcase

27-29 November, 2024 at Innovation Centre, UniSC Sunshine Coast
Join us at the Forest Research Institute for a free research showcase featuring leading national and international experts in Forestry, Forest Products and Forest Science. Hear Institute members and our talented HDR students present their research, and enjoy valuable networking opportunities. This event is open to all with an interest in forestry research.
Event program
Wednesday 27 November | Student Day

Time

Event details

8–8.30am Arrival and registrations
8.30–8.40am

Welcome and introduction of MC
Professor Mark Brown, Director Forest Research Institute
Charlotte Raven, Student Representative – Forest Research Institute Leadership Group

8.40–10am

Student research presentations (10 minutes each including questions)

  • Rodrigo Oliveira – Forest Research Institute, UniSC
  • Juan Roberto Vargas - Forest Research Institute, UniSC
  • Alison Hayman – UTAS
  • Will Haigh - Forest Research Institute, UniSC
  • Thomas Farrall - Forest Research Institute, UniSC
  • Babatunde Olatunbosun – Centre for Future Materials, USQ
  • Sigyel Delma - Forest Research Institute, UniSC
  • Duc Bui - Forest Research Institute, UniSC

10–10.30am Morning tea
10.30–11.40am

Student research presentations (continued)

  • Somia Afzal - Forest Research Institute, UniSC
  • James Grimsdale – UTAS
  • Charlotte Raven - Forest Research Institute, UniSC
  • Patrick Grant – QUT
  • Jady Smith - Forest Research Institute, UniSC
  • Nana Yaw Sarpong, University of Tasmania
  • Yuhao Zhang, University of Queensland
11.40am–12pm

Student poster session

12–1pm

Networking lunch

1–3pm

From Brand to Network: Your Path to Professional Success
Michelle Redfern

3–3.30pm

Afternoon tea

3.30–5pm

From Brand to Network: Your Path to Professional Success (continued)

5–7pm

Social event and networking at the Bower Tree

 

Download Program Student Day 27 Nov (PDF 249KB)

Thursday, 28 November | Showcase
Time Event details
8.30–9.30am Arrival and registrations
9.30–9.35am Opening address
Professor Ross Young, Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research and Innovation)
9.35–10am Welcome and scene setting
Professor Mark Brown, Director – Forest Research Institute
10–10.30am Networking morning tea and poster display
10.30am–12pm

Keynote address
Strategic Vision: Where the sector should be aiming for 2050

  • Where the Durable Timber and Wood Products Sector Should be Aiming for 2050– Angela Pappin, Quality Specialist, Hyne
  • Research and innovation needs for plantation management and timber production to 2050 – Steve Walker, Chief Operating Officer, HQPlantations
12–1pm

Networking lunch and poster display

1–3pm

Institute presentations: Timber durability
Chair: Professor Tripti Singh, Director – National Centre for Timber Durability and Design Life

  • Director overview of research area and vision
  • Accelerated decay testing methods for low durability Australian hardwoods – Juan Vargas Garcia, Copper indicator’s detection limits in solution and slash pine sapwood for timber quality assurance– Dr Tengfei Yi
  • Fire behaviour of Australian hardwood timber species for possible classification as BAL 29 species – Dr Luis Yerman
  • Enhancing Timber Circularity in the Frame and Truss Industry: Transforming Unused Materials into Valuable Resources – Dr Pene Mitchell and Kersten Gentle (CEO, Frame and Truss Manufacturers Association)
3–3.30pm

Networking afternoon tea and poster display

3.30–5.30pm

Institute presentations: Forestry and wood production
Chair: Professor Mark Brown, Director – Forest Research Institute

  • Director overview of research area and vision
  • A Forest Pest Management Research Consortium to optimise pest control solutions in forestry – Dr Sam Van Holsbeeck
  • Collaboration: the building blocks of resilient forest health and biosecurity – Dr Madaline Healey
  • Radiata Pine thinning residue fire risk mitigation – Dr Martin Strandgard
  • Overview of the non-destructive wood quality research using Resi– Associate Professor David Lee and Ian Last (HQPlantations)
5.30–7pm Networking and poster display
7pm

Close
Professor Mark Brown

 

Download Showcase Program 28-29 November (PDF 298KB) 

Friday, 29 November | Showcase

Time

Event details

8.30–9am Arrival and registrations
9–10.30am

Institute presentations: Nature based solution, carbon and forest management in a changing climate
Chair: Professor John Herbohn, Director – Tropical Forests and People Research Centre

  • Director overview of research area and vision
  • Improving carbon gains and reforestation efficiency for Nature Based Solutions by incorporating tree water use dynamics into plantation design – Dr Adriana Vega Grau
  • The role of Remote Sensing and GIS in Nature-Based Solutions – Dr Nick Kokkas
10.30–11am Networking morning tea and poster display
11am–1pm

Natural forest restoration and conservation
Chair: Professor Jack Putz

  • Director overview of research area and vision
  • Carbon stocks and sequestration potential of community forests in Bhutan - Sigyel Delma
  • Climate, size and competition: interactions explain growth of Tasmanian eucalypts – Dr Alexandra Catling
  • FoRCE project: Emerging insights into rainforest recovery, management and measurement following disturbance and vine infestation. – Professor Andrew Marshall
  • Policy Initiatives, Regulatory Burdens, Market Mechanisms, Illegality, and the Wicked Problem of Tropical Forest Degradation – Professor Francis (Jack) Putz
1–1.45pm Networking lunch and poster display
1.45–3pm

Panel and Roundtable: The Australian forestry research environment into the future emerging priorities, focus, and vision from here to 2050

Chair: Professor Ross Young

Panel:

  • Dr Dean Williams, Interim Director – Australian Forest and Wood Innovations
  • Professor Mark Brown
  • Professor John Herbohn
  • Professor Tripti Singh
3–3.10pm

Showcase summary

3:10-3:15pm

Presentation of student awards 

Sponsored by AFWI

3.15–3.30pm

Closing remarks
Professor Ross Young

3.30pm

Close
Professor Mark Brown

 

Download Showcase Program 28-29 November (PDF 298KB) 

Meet the presenters

Professor Mark Brown
Professor Mark Brown

Director, Forest Research Institute, Director, Forest Industries Research Centre, Professor of Forestry Operations; Director, Australian Forest Operations Research Alliance (AFORA)

mbrown2@usc.edu.au

Professor John Herbohn

Director, Tropical Forests and People Research Centre; Professor of Tropical Forestry; Forest Research Institute

jherbohn@usc.edu.au

 

Tripti Singh
Professor Tripti Singh

Director, National Centre for Timber Durability and Design Life, Forest Research Institute

tsingh1@usc.edu.au

                                

David Lee
Associate Professor David Lee

Plant Genetics, Forest Research Institute

dlee@usc.edu.au

Dr Madaline Healey
Dr Madaline Healey

Research Fellow | Forest Research Institute

mhealey@usc.edu.au

Dr Sam Van Holsbeeck

Research Fellow, Forest Research Institute

svanhols@usc.edu.au

Dr Penelope Mitchell
Dr Penelope Mitchell

Research Fellow, National Centre for Timber Durability and Design Life, Forest Research Institute

Pmitche2@usc.edu.au

Professor F.E. “Jack” Putz

Research Professor, Forest Research Institute

fputz@usc.edu.au

Dr Alexandra Catling

Postdoctoral Research Fellow, Forest Research Institute

acatling@usc.edu.au

Adriana Vega
Dr Adriana Vega Grau

Postdoctoral Research Fellow, Forest Research Institute

avega@usc.edu.au

 

 

Martin Strandgard

Senior Research Fellow, AFORA, Forest Research Institute

mstrandg@usc.edu.au

Nikolaos Kokkas
Dr Nick Kokkas

Remote Sensing/GIS Analyst, Forest Research Institute

nkokkas@usc.edu.au

Professor Andrew Marshall

ARC Future Fellow, Forest Research Institute

amarsha1@usc.edu.au

About the Forest Research Institute

UniSC’s Forest Research Institute undertakes work in the broad spectrum of forestry research areas that make direct and meaningful contributions to the sustainability of our wooded landscapes. This includes important areas of studies such as smallholder and forest conservation-based research, along with work to ensure industries are meeting regulatory requirements and public expectations.

The Institute is comprised of three Centres. Each has an individual identity and research focus but they work collaboratively for greater impact.

Contact

Forest Research Institute Administration
Email: FRIAdmin@usc.edu.au