Jingxin Wang, associate professor of wood science and technology in West Virginia Universitys Division of Forestry and Natural Resources, has been appointed the new director of WVU s Wood Utilization Research (WUR) Project.

The WUR project is part of a national research effort that focuses on creating opportunities for improved use and recovery of Appalachian hardwoods through basic and applied research, and enhancing global competitiveness of the Appalachian hardwood industry.

Dr. Wang, who has been a faculty member in the Division of Forestry and Natural Resources of WVU s Davis College of Agriculture, Forestry, and Consumer Sciences since 2000, will provide research leadership to the forest products sector in the Appalachian region and will oversee a research program focused on the primary processing and manufacturing sectors in the wood products industry.