For release: Immediate
Media Contact: Rebecca Hoene, (608) 231-9383
Email: rhoene@fs.fed.us
Story:
MADISON, WI -- Two scientists from the USDA Forest Service, Forest Products Laboratory, have been nationally recognized for their work.
Deborah Jean Lodge, an FPL botanist, received a USDA Honor Award, given for outstanding contributions in maintaining and enhancing the Nation's natural resources and environment. Lodge, who is currently stationed in Puerto Rico, is working on the documentation of fungal biodiversity in tropical forests. Her work will be used for comparison in the future to assess changing environmental conditions in these sensitive ecosystems.
Kenneth Hammel, a research chemist, was the recipient of the Chief's Distinguished Science Award given out by the USDA Forest Service. Hammel discovered new mechanisms used by fungi in the wood decay process.
"These employees are part of a long tradition of excellence at the Lab and are helping to maintain our reputation as a world-class forest products research organization," says FPL Director Chris Risbrudt.
Also recognized by the Forest Service were the Advanced Housing Research Center team of Michael Ritter, Karen Martinson, and Jean Livingston for technology transfer in wood-frame housing and retirees John Zerbe and John Erickson for their volunteer efforts.