Contact: Sammy McDavid
STARKVILLE, Miss.--A Mississippi State professor is a new Fellow of the Society of Wood Science and Technology.
H. Michael Barnes of the university's Forest and Wildlife Research Center recently received the honor by the professional organization for his work in wood preservation and durability, wood treatment and treatment effects on wood properties.
The Society of Wood Science and Technology is a non-profit international organization founded in 1958 with the mission of advancing the profession of wood science.
An MSU faculty member for more than 36 years, Barnes was named last year as a Fellow of the International Academy of Wood Science. Additionally, he has been honored with the university's Ralph E. Powe Research Excellence Award, American Wood-Preservers' Association Award of Merit, Forest Products Society's Gottschalk Award, and Railway Tie Association Award of Merit.
"Dr. Barnes' work on the effect of various treatments on the properties and durability of wood and wood-based composites has been ground-breaking," said Rubin Shmulsky, interim head of the forest products department. "He is very deserving of this honor."
Barnes is a Baytown, Texas, native who holds bachelor's and master's degree from Louisiana State University and a doctorate from the State University of New York. In 2004, he was named alumnus of the year by LSU's School of Renewable Natural Resources.
"Dr. Barnes is an effective researcher, producing over 200 articles and $9 million in extramural funding over his career at MSU," Shmulsky said. "Mike also is an exceptional teacher, serving as adviser, major professor and graduate committee member for countless students."
Barnes currently serves as president of the Forest Products Society and is past president of the Society of Wood Science and Technology. Additionally, his membership includes the American Wood-Preservers' Association, Railway Tie Association, International Research Group on Wood Protection, Society of American Foresters, and Renewable Natural Resources Foundation. He also is a fellow in the Institute of Wood Science.
For more information about Mississippi State University, see http://www.msstate.edu/.