College of Forest Resources, Mississippi State University

Happy first day of class students! We are so glad to see you back on campus.

From Japan to Mississippi, Taketo Nishida’s journey at Mississippi State has been one of growth, discovery and innovation.

A master’s student in sustainable bioproducts, Nishida combined his interests in technology and wood science to help train Xylotron, an AI model that identifies wood species—work that can help combat illegal logging and support a more sustainable global wood trade.

What began as a study-abroad experience became a path toward graduate research, new opportunities and a future career in technology consulting in Tokyo.

Nishida’s story is a reminder that sometimes the biggest opportunities come when we step beyond the familiar.

Read more about Taketo’s journey and how MSU helped him turn a new experience into meaningful research and a future filled with possibilities.

https://www.msstate.edu/our-people/2026/08/taketo-nishida

Our forestry department showed off their circus attire as part of the MSU Division of Agriculture, Forestry, and Veterinary Medicine Summer Summit. The team won Best Act in the Show for their creativity.

Celebrating our outstanding faculty and staff, recognized during the MSU Division of Agriculture, Forestry, and Veterinary Medicine Summer Summit.

Whether you are starting out or leveling up, our One Health graduate programs are designed to boost your impact.

These programs have been established by the MSU College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, the College of Forest Resources, Mississippi State University and the College of Veterinary Medicine through the MSU Division of Agriculture, Forestry, and Veterinary Medicine.

To learn more about our online graduate certificates and Master of Science programs, visit vetmed.msstate.edu/onehealth. Applications for Fall 2026 are due by August 1st.

We loved showing students around campus during the NCF-Envirothon Mississippi. Thank you for our amazing faculty and staff who mentored and participated this year.

Congratulations to Dr. Laya Khademibami on earning the Forest Products Society's Wood Engineering Achievement Award for Young Engineers!

Recognized internationally for her innovative research on structural insulated panels, Khademibami is helping advance safer, more efficient and sustainable wood construction. Her work, in Sustainable Bioproducts, conducted in collaboration with the USDA Forest Products Laboratory and industry partners, is closing critical knowledge gaps that support future building codes and strengthen the use of wood-based materials in modern construction.

Read more at: https://www.msstate.edu/newsroom/article/2026/07/msu-scientist-recognized-internationally-wood-engineering-research

Shark Week begins next week—and graduate students are making waves in shark research.

From studying shark movement and behavior to advancing conservation efforts, these Bulldogs are helping protect one of the ocean's most fascinating predators through hands-on research.

Dive into their story and see how MSU students are taking a bite out of shark science.

Read more: https://www.msstate.edu/newsroom/article/2026/07/ahead-shark-week-how-msu-graduate-students-are-taking-bite-out-shark

Benjamin Wiley, a Sustainable Bioproducts graduate student, shreds wood chips to turn into wood pellets. Our students work in industrial settings on commercial equipment to prepare them for future careers.

Want a job? Choose Sustainable Bioproducts with 100% placement rate for graduates.

Congratulations to Dr. Rubin Shmulsky on receiving the Distinguished Service Award at the 24th International Nondestructive Testing and Evaluation of Wood Symposium!

Recognized for his outstanding leadership, impactful research and decades of service to the wood science and engineering community, Dr. Shmulsky has helped advance nondestructive evaluation research while mentoring the next generation of industry, research and academic leaders. His work continues to strengthen Mississippi's forest products industry and create lasting impacts around the world.

Read more at https://www.cfr.msstate.edu/news/article.php?id=922