SFM Doctorate of Philosophy

The Doctorate of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Sustainable Forest Management at Oregon State University is intended for persons seeking careers in teaching and/or research. The program emphasizes strong research specialization while maintaining an understanding and appreciation of broader management and resource use issues. The dissertation and associated research play a dual role by enabling the student to develop in-depth knowledge of specific technical areas, while at the same time gaining experience in conceptualizing, planning, conducting, and reporting a major research project. Ph.D. students choose from one of the six SFM areas of concentration.

Students pursuing their Ph.D. in Sustainable Forest Management choose from one of six areas of concentration: 

• Forest Operations Planning and Management

  Planning, organizing, and executing forest plans; enhancing supply chain efficiency and improving international competitiveness

  Contacts: Woodam Chung (Lead), Kevin Lyons, Francisca Marrs, Bogdan Strimbu, Heesung Woo, Rene Zamora-Cristales

• Forest Policy Analysis and Economics

  Analyzing tradeoffs in the forest and resource policy decision process; public land use policy; interpretations of regulations; markets for forest products; forest certification; theoretical and applied research related to ecosystem services

  Contacts: Andres Susaeta (Lead), Mindy Crandall, Rene Zamora-Cristales

• Forest Biometrics and Geomatics

  Modeling tree and stand development; forest data sampling and monitoring methods; forest measurements and assessments; mapping and data management technologies

  Contacts: Michael Wing (Lead), Temesgen Hailemariam, Jim Kiser, John Riggins, Bogdan Strimbu

• Silviculture, Fire, Forest Health and Biodiversity

  Manipulating site productivity and vegetation to achieve management objectives, from restoration to intensive timber production; fire ecology and fire management; forest ecosystem health

  Contacts: Matt Powers (Lead), John Bailey, Chris Dunn, Carlos Gonzalez-Benecke, Jim Kiser, Jared LeBoldus, John Punches, Priya Rajarapu, John Riggins, Jim Rivers, Mark Swanson

• Forest Soil and Watershed Processes

  Understanding watershed conditions and processes in forested ecosystems and the effects of management activities; evaluating and improving soil and water quality and related practices and policies for forest operations

  Contacts: Jeff Hatten (Lead), Annette Patton, Catalina Segura, Georgia Seyfried

• Engineering for Sustainable Forestry

  Designing forest operations to achieve sustainable forest management objectives; ecological restoration operations; road design and construction

  Contacts: Jim Kiser (Lead), Ben Leshchinsky, Kevin Lyons, Francisca Marrs, Michael Olsen, Catalina Segura, Michael Wing, René Zamora Cristales