Dick Sandberg
Timber X-ray scanning, tomography analysis and sawmill transformation
Professor of Wood Science and Engineering at Luleå University of Technology
Dr. Dick Sandberg has been serving as Chaired Professor of Wood Science and Engineering at Luleå University of Technology since 2013. Obtained the PhD in Wood Technology and Processing at KTH in 1999. Dr. Sandberg has actively contributed to numerous wood research projects and lectured at various universities and research centers. In-between them he has held technical and managerial roles in several wood-based companies and sawmills.
Dominik Röser
Timber supply chains, forest operations and precision forestry
Program Director, Forest Resources Management & Forest Operations Programs; Associate Professor University of British Columbia
Dr. Dominik Roeser is currently holding the position of Associate Dean for Research Forests and Community Engagement, as well as serving as an Associate Professor of Forest Operations at the University of British Columbia. With over 22 years of dedicated experience in forest research and innovation, Dr. Roeser has become a leading expert in supply chain design and technology transfer of forest and biomass operations. At the University of British Columbia, he leads a dynamic research program, focused on developing sustainable solutions that contribute to the evolution of the bioeconomy. His collaborative efforts extend across continents, as he has worked closely with diverse partners in both Europe and Canada, fostering innovation and advancing the field. In recognition of his expertise, Dr. Roeser was honored with a nomination to the External Review Panel of the Sustainable Forestry Initiative (SFI) in 2022.
Esther Merlo Sánchez
Nondestructive testing of wood and quality evaluation (log and standing forests)
Director R+D+I department, Madera Plus Calidad Forestal S.L.
Esther Merlo holds a PhD in Forestry Engineering, specializing in non-destructive techniques for predicting the technological properties of wood. Esther gained valuable experience through research stays at Forest Research in New Zealand and the University of Campinas in Brazil.
Between 1995 and 2006, Esther worked at the Lourizán Forestry and Environmental Research Center in the department of Forest Genetic Improvement, actively participating in and contributing to RDI projects.
From 2007 to 2011, she served at CIS MADEIRA (Center for Innovation and Technological Services of Wood of Galicia).
Since 2012, Esther has been the founder and Company Director of the R+D+I department at Madera Plus Calidad Forestal S.L. (www.maderaplus.es)
Masahiko Nakazawa
Sensors for the optimization of timber value chains
Researcher at the Forestry and Forest Products Research Institute (FFPRI) and chief of its Harvest system Laboratory
Dr. Masahiko obtained his PhD in 2005 from Nagoya University, Graduate School of Bioagricultural Sciences, Department of Forest and Environmental Resources Sciences, where he worked for another year as a researcher, afterwards we worked as a researcher at Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology from 2006 til 2010, then at the Forestry and Forest Products Research Institute, Department of Forest Engineering 2011-2017 as a senior researcher, and since 2018 at the Forestry and Forest Products Research Institute, Department of Forest Engineering as chief of laboratory
Sanna Kaasalainen
Optical sensors, GNSS, positioning, situational awareness, LiDAR, environmental monitoring
Director of the Navigation and Positioning department at Finnish Geospatial Research Institute (FGI)
Sanna Kaasalainen is a professor and head of the department of Navigation and positioning at the Finnish Geospatial Research Institute of the National Land Survey of Finland. She has a long research experience in GNSS, positioning, situational awareness, and optical sensing of the environment.
She represents Finland in the European Space Agency’s Program Board for Navigation, and she is also an expert member of the Galileo-EGNOS Space Program Committee, as well as the Galileo next generation working group.