Spring 2015 Newsletter
Spring 2015 Newsletter
Download: SBIO Newsletter Spring 2015
| Cover: Landon Holbert, freshman in the packaging program, raises the VT corrugate boat’s figurehead in victory. |
Trip to 2015 packaging Jamboree
By Megan Stallings, Junior, Packaging
Thirteen packaging students traveled to the 30th annual Packaging jamboree, held this year at Clemson University in South Carolina. This is one of the major packaging institutional events across the states. The students attended industry networking events, keynote speakers, and technical sessions under the guidance of two packaging faculty, Dr. Young Kim and Dr. Bob Bush
Jung Ki Hong earns PhD
By Maren Roman
In his Ph.D. research, Jung Ki evaluated surface- oxidized cellulose nanocrystals as multifunctional reinforcement in poly(ε-caprolactone) based scaffolds for bone regeneration. His project spanned multiple disciplines and required knowledge and expertise in calcium-phosphate mineral formation chemistry, bone biology, and materials science, specifically nanoparticle and polymer nanocomposite characterization.
Students receive industry accepted certification and a special scholarship
By Laszlo Horvath
The center for packaging and Unit Load design at Virginia tech started its competitive Sustainable Packaging Designer Trainee (SPDT) program in 2012. Since then every year, four undergraduate students from Virginia Tech’s Packaging Systems and Design program are accepted to participate in this year-long program.
Honored friends visit students in The Wood Enterprise Institute
By Earl kline
In March and April the Wood Enterprise Institute was honored by visits from Jan and Kit Kennedy and Brooks Whitehurst, all who have been strong supporters and contributors to WEI and other programs in the College of Natural Resources and Environment. On Tuesday, march 31 Jan and Claire Kennedy and Kit and Gail Kennedy from the Acorn Alcinda Foundation joined the WEI students during their weekly business meeting.
Annual Leadership Conference of National WooDen Pallet and Container Association
By Laszlo Hovath
The National Wood Pallet and Container Association (NWPCA) held its annual Leadership Meeting in Tucson, AZ March 11-13, 2015. Laszlo Horvath was invited to represent Virginia tech’s packaging science program.
Hindman speaks on construction safety in India
By Dan Hindman
On march 21 and 22, the Initiative for Construction Safety Awareness (ICONSA) conference was held in New Delhi, India. ICONSA was a collaboration between Virginia Tech and the Indian Institute of Technology at Kanpur. From Virginia Tech, Drs. Daniel Hindman and Thom Mills spoke at the conference, accompanied by Dr. Sudhir Misra of IIT-Kanpur.
VT Packaging program celebrates graduating students with cookout
By Young Kim
The Packaging Systems and Design cookout outside of Cheatham Hall was filled with BBQ, desserts, drinks, and games.
2015 World Wood Day
By Barry Goodell
The World Wood Day Symposia sponsored by the International Wood Culture Society was held this year in Odunpazarı Eskişehir, Turkey from March 17 – 23th. World Wood Day (WWD) is a cultural event celebrated annually in March to highlight wood as an eco-friendly and renewable biomaterial and to raise awareness on the key role wood plays in a sustainable world through biodiversity and forest conservation.
Extension highlights
The wood products industry in Virginia is a critical contributor to the economy of the state, an industry represented by more than 1,000 primary and secondary industries and over $25 billion in economic impact.
The Department of Sustainable Biomaterials (SBIO) at Virginia Tech is one of the leading U.S. academic programs in the field of renewable materials with a focus on cellulosic materials such as wood products. Besides research and teaching efforts, SBIO has an important role in dissemination of new knowledge in the area of renewable materials through SBIO’s three extension specialists.
VT Solar Kiln Built and Used in a Virginia High-school Program
Paul Chirico, the carpentry teacher at Fluvanna County High school, worked with local businesses, citizens and his students to construct a solar lumber dry kiln last year using the Virginia Tech plans. Paul was able to get some materials donated and had students from one of his classes build the structure. He managed to accomplish this within his first year teaching at the school.
Extension Specialist Henry Quesada lectured at Auburn University
In March 18, 2015 Dr. Henry Quesada, associate professor and extension specialist at the Department of Sustainable Biomaterials lectured at the School of Forestry and Wild Life Sciences at Auburn University.
Training and Upcoming Events
Creating value requires managers to master quantitative and qualitative techniques to document and analyze information used in the decision making process...The article includes examples of the most common quality control charts as well as methods for diagnosing problems.
Marketing is one of the most important support processes of any business organization. Without good marketing strategies a company will not be able to properly design, price, promote and distribute their products...Participants in this short course will learn about marketing principles and how they can be applied to gain a competitive advantage in forest products industries