College of Agriculture & Natural Resources Department of Forestry

Haishun Du
Assistant Professor, Lignocellulosic Materials and Bioprocessing

Haishun's research focuses on advancing sustainable manufacturing and circular bioeconomy solutions by transforming lignocellulosic biomass (e.g., wood, forest residues, agricultural wastes) into multifunctional materials, platform chemicals, and renewable fuels. Integrating biomass chemistry, green chemical engineering, and materials science, his work encompasses lignocellulose fractionation and valorization, sustainable production of lignocellulosic nanomaterials, and roll-to-roll manufacturing of lignocellulosic films and fibers.

Kurt Kipfmueller
1855 Professor, Indigenous Natural Resource Mgt, Tree-Ring Analysis, Fire Ecology

Kurt Kipfmueller is 1855 Professor of Tribal and Indigenous Natural Resources Management. Kurt’s work uses the information encoded in the annual rings of trees to help tell the stories of landscape and cultural change. Kurt has expertise in reconstructing past disturbances—particularly fire—and to develop tree growth chronologies that reflect climate variability.

Tim Shively
Assistant Professor, Forest Pathology

Tim is an Assistant Professor of Forest Pathology with a split appointment shared by Plant, Soil, & Microbial Sciences. He has extensive experience diagnosing tree diseases and working through forest health problems in the field with foresters, land managers, and woodlot owners. His research focuses on applied management of forest pathogens, developing bioherbicides to suppress invasive plants, and the ecological impacts of forest health issues.

William (Bill) Hammond
Assistant Professor, Plant Ecophysiology (starting August 2027)

An internationally recognized plant ecophysiologist, Hammond’s research incorporates fundamental plant biology, global change ecology, and imaging sensors to measure plant resilience in a changing climate. Hammond helped pioneer the emerging field of spectral ecophysiology, which joins plant physiology, ecology, and the development of remote tools to detect plant dysfunction and mortality, even before visible symptoms appear.

Drew Hill
Assistant to the Chair and Department

Drew is a true Spartan and lifelong Michigander. He has worked as a professional audio engineer for over 15 years and is a two-time NATAS Emmy award winner. Drew is a proud husband and father, passionate musician, and motorcycle enthusiast. He received his Bachelor of Arts in Media and Information from Michigan State University, and since 2014, Drew has been enriching campus with his sheer will, commitment to excellence, and dedication to solving complex problems.