Join us for an engaging discussion covering topics such as the productivity of working forests, biotechnology and technology innovations, forest fiber for sustainable packaging, and high-value biochemical products from forests. We welcome you to join us for the workshop programming, as well as our Fellows’ poster session.
May 11-12, 2026
This two-day workshop brings together researchers, industry partners, and practitioners to examine how Southern forest systems can support resilient, sustainable bioproduct value chains. Sessions will move from forest health and productivity, to biotechnology and enabling technologies, and finally to packaging, chemicals, and other high-value forest-based products.
RBI 2026 Spring Workshop
Bill Moore Student Success Center
225 North Ave NW, Atlanta, GA 30332
In partnership
Georgia Forestry Association & Georgia Forestry Foundation
Theme for Spring Workshop
Agenda
May 11
Time
9 a.m.–noon
Topic
Renewable Bioproducts Institute (RBI) - Industry Advisory Board Meeting (By Invitation Only)
Speaker
1:30–5 p.m. | Resilience and Productivity of Working Forests
1:30–1:40 p.m.
The Southern Forest for Future Fiber and Chemicals Supply – Potential and Threats
Carson Meredith
executive director, RBI
Challenges to Southern Forestry
1:40–1:55 p.m.
Overview of Southern forestry operations
Tim Lowrimore
president, Georgia Forestry Association
1:55–2:30 p.m.
The impact of forest health on Southern forestry productivity
Caterina Villari
associate professor, University of Georgia (UGA)
2:30–3:05 p.m.
The Southern forest in the Circular Bioeconomy
David Weston
Oak Ridge National Laboratory / University of Tennessee
3:05–3:20 p.m.
BREAK
Biotechnology Solutions
3:20–3:55 p.m.
Genomic approaches to engineered resilience and productivity
Gary Peter
professor, University of Florida
3:55–4:30 p.m.
Overview of experiences from applications of in vitro propagation techniques for trees - feedstock production, phytoremediation and conservation
Scott Merkle
professor, UGA
4:30–4:45 p.m.
Enabling technology from GT for successful production of improved plants: AI supported automation technology for scalable production of future forest trees
4:45–5 p.m.
The emerging solution to successful biotechnology applications: unraveling the potential of the forest microbiome for tree propagation
Joel Kostka
professor, School of Biological Sciences
5–6 p.m.
Reception and Poster Session
6:00 p.m.
ADJOURN
May 12
Time
8–8:30 a.m.
Topic
Networking Breakfast
Speaker
8:30 a.m.–12 p.m. | Forest Fiber for Sustainable Packaging
8:30–9:05 a.m.
Forest Fiber for Sustainable Packaging
Patricia Stathatou
assistant professor, School of Chemical & Biomolecular Engineering
9:40–10:05 a.m.
Networking Break
10:05–10:40 a.m.
Forest Fiber for Sustainable Packaging
Dan Coughlin
Senior Leader of Industrial Collaborations, Oak Ridge National Laboratory
10:40–11:15 a.m.
Forest Fiber for Sustainable Packaging
Michael Joyce
senior associate principal engineer, Mondelēz International
11:15–11:50 a.m.
Forest Fiber for Sustainable Packaging
Joel Kostka
professor, School of Biological Sciences
Noon–1 p.m.
Lunch (provided)
1–4:30 p.m. | High-Value Biochemical Products from Forests
1–1:35 p.m.
High-Value Biochemical Products from Forests
Andreas Bommarius
professor, School of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering
1:35–2:10 p.m.
High-Value Biochemical Products from Forests
Valerie Thomas
professor, School of Industrial and Systems Engineering
2:10–2:45 p.m.
High-Value Biochemical Products from Forests
Larissa Fenn
director, Rayonier Advanced Materials (RYAM)
2:45–3:10 p.m.
Networking Break
1:35–2:10 p.m.
High-Value Biochemical Products from Forests
Sanket Gandhi
chief executive officer, BioPrincipia, Inc.
3:45–4:30 p.m.
Panel / Round Table
4:30 p.m.
Adjourn
Interested in Partnering with Us
Contact Belinda Vogel to explore how your organization can engage with us.
Hotels
The Georgia Tech Hotel and Conference Center is located in the heart of Atlanta’s Technology Square at 800 Spring St. NW Atlanta, GA 30308. Click the button below to make reservations, get directions and find information on the nearby attractions including restaurants and activities. In addition, Georgia Tech has partnered with a variety of nearby hotels to provide discounted rates to our visitors. View our hotel list and pricing on our Campus Travel page.