College of Forestry

In this episode of the ‘In the Woods’ podcast from Oregon State University’s Forestry and Natural Resources Extension Program, host Scott Leavengood discusses forest biotechnology with Dr. Steve Strauss. Dr. Strauss, a professor of forest biotechnology at OSU, shares insights from his 40-year career, including the genetic engineering of trees, the use of Agrobacterium for DNA modification, and the challenges and opportunities in the field. They also address public misconceptions about genetic engineering and its potential to address climate change. The episode concludes with a lightning round of questions about Dr. Strauss’s favorite tree species and the impact of CRISPR technology.

Greg Goralogia has been honored with the 2024 OSU Excellence in Undergraduate Research Mentoring by a Postdoc Award. This prestigious award highlights Greg's commitment outstanding dedication to guiding and supporting undergraduate students in their initial research endeavors. He was presented the award on September 16 and was also celebrated during OSU University Day.

Forest Biotechnology postdoctoral scientist Greg Goralogia won the IUFRO Molecular Biology of Forest Trees (WG 2.04.06) Early Career Award for Excellence in Forest Molecular Biology and Genomics. The award will be presented at the upcoming international conference in Annapolis, Maryland in August.

Steve Strauss was recently highlighted with a profile in New Phytologist.

Our article, GWAS supported by computer vision identifies large numbers of candidate regulators of in planta regeneration in Populus trichocarpa, has been selected as a Feature for the April issue of G3: Genes|Genomes|Genetics. 

The forest biotechnology laboratory hosted two scientists from the Taiwan Forestry Research Institute in July to discuss gene editing/CRISPR research, visit field trials on the college forest, and discuss regulatory compliance with biotech forest trees. The photo shows Dr. Steven Strauss with Wu Chia-Chen and Lin Guan-Ying.

Pair of publications on in vitro biology of poplars highlighted in Society for In Vitro Biology Reports.

“What Living Carbon is trying to do has never been done before at all,” said Steve Strauss, a professor of forest biotechnology at Oregon State University, who has partnered with Living Carbon on its research, including a field trial of more than 600 trees. “It’s very bold and I told them that ... everything about this is high risk, in my view.”

Professors Steve Strauss and Tom Shellhammer from OSU are featured on the Master Brewers Podcast

Newly-developed trees could be used in the fight against climate change.