Contact: Vanessa Beeson
Tâmara França, assistant professor in Mississippi State’s Department of Sustainable Bioproducts in the College of Forest Resources, has been selected as a woman ambassador of wood science.
In 2021, the Society of Wood Science and Technology (SWST) sought calls for nominations for “Women Ambassadors Creating the Future of Wood Science.” França was nominated and then selected by the SWST committee as one of 16 women from around the world chosen to celebrate women in wood science. França’s story will be part of a traveling SWST-sponsored exhibition that traverses the globe encouraging women and young girls to pursue a career in wood science and technology.
“I’m humbled by and grateful for such a big honor. My message to women and girls interested in wood science is to be persistent, perseverant and open to the opportunities that life gives to you and be passionate in everything you do,” she said.
França serves as a director on the executive board of the Society of Wood Science and Technology (SWST), mid-south regional board member of the Forest Products Society and advisor of the MSU FPS/SWST Student Chapter. Her research areas include durability and protection of wood and physical and mechanical properties of wood.
França earned her doctoral degree in forest resources with a sustainable bioproducts concentration from Mississippi State, her master’s degree in forest science from Federal University of Espírito Santo, her bachelor’s degree in technology in agribusiness–wood from the State University of Para and a bachelor’s in business administration from the Metropolitana College of Marabá.
Learn more about the Society of Wood Science and Technology campaign by visiting www.swst.org/wp/careers/women-ambassadors-creating-the-future-of-wood-science.