Our team

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Fikret Isik

Co-Director and Professor

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Trevor Walker

Co-Director and Assistant Professor

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Nasir Shalizi

Research Assistant Professor

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Steve McKeand

Former Director and Professor Emeritus

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J.B. Jett

Assistant Dean Emeritus

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Carla Castro

Tree Improvement Manager

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Chris Heim

Operations Manager

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Tertius Venter

Longleaf Tree Improvement Manager

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Tori Brooks

Assistant Director of Administration

Our history

Founded in 1956 by the visionary tree breeder Dr. Bruce Zobel, the program’s charter outlined three activities in the realm of forest genetics: 1) consulting forest companies and agencies, 2) basic research, and 3) guiding graduate students. Decades later, our extension, research, and teaching priorities remain.

Since the 2010s, the program has taken a larger role in the “hands-on” breeding at our centralized orchard facility, hosted by the Georgia Forestry Commission. Our current deliverables includes:

  • Managing the breeding program to improve the genetic quality of seedlings used for reforestation

  • Basic research in genetics and genomics

  • Teaching and advising students

  • Publishing the Performance Rating System for landowners to choose seedling genetics

Former Directors:

Dr. Bruce Zobel (1956 - 1979)

Dr. Bob Weir (1979 - 2000)

Dr. Tim Mullin (2000 - 2005)

Dr. Steve McKeand (2005 - 2018)

Dr. Kitt Payn (2018 - 2021)

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Founding Director, Dr. Bruce Zobel making controlled crosses.