PULLMAN, Wash. – Michael Wolcott, professor in the Washington State University Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering and director of WSU’s Institute for Sustainable Design, has been named a fellow of the International Academy of Wood Science.
The award recognizes Wolcott’s outstanding contributions in wood research. He was recognized for his leadership in the field of natural fiber composites and biopolymers. He has led development of advanced materials to improve durability and reduce manufacturing costs and pollution.
He holds five patents for innovative materials and structures from wood and natural fibers. He has been actively engaged with industry to commercialize his research and has participated in projects for more than 50 companies.
Wolcott serves as co-project director for the Northwest Advanced Renewables Alliance (NARA) project, which aims to develop a supply chain for aviation biofuels. NARA received a $40 million grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture to develop alternatives to petroleum-based fuels and chemicals.
Wolcott has received numerous national awards for research excellence, including the prestigious Society of Wood Science and Technology’s George Marra Award (in 1991 and 1995). He has been an invited keynote lecturer at renowned international conferences. He has previously managed nearly $20 million in funding and large research teams for numerous federal agencies, including the Office of Naval Research, the Department of Energy, the USDA, the U.S. Forest Service and the Federal Highway Administration.
Wolcott received a Ph.D. in materials engineering science from Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University and his B.S./M.S. in forestry from the University of Maine.