CLEMSON, S.C. — Clemson University has named M. Soledad Peresin as the new director of the Wood Utilization + Design Institute (WU+D). This center aims to push the boundaries of sustainable wood-based innovations through research and collaboration with industries and educational institutions.
Peresin is well-known in the field of renewable biomaterials and sustainable design. With over two decades of experience, she focuses on converting plant materials into practical solutions. Before joining Clemson, she was a professor at Auburn University.
“Soledad’s knowledge of nanocellulose and circular economy strategies will be invaluable for us,” said Matthew Holt, dean of the College of Agriculture, Forestry and Life Sciences. “Her vision and connections will enhance innovation in wood utilization and foster local economic growth.”
She earned her Ph.D. in Forest Biomaterials from North Carolina State University and has a degree in Analytical Chemistry from Argentina’s Universidad Nacional del Litoral. During her six years at VTT, a Finnish research organization, she played a crucial role in developing fiber-based products and enhancing their properties for industrial applications. With over 85 publications and various grants totaling more than $11 million, Peresin has a robust research background.
As the director of WU+D, she will also engage with Clemson’s Department of Forestry and Environmental Conservation and Department of Materials Science and Engineering.
Peresin expressed her excitement about the role, emphasizing her passion for sustainable innovation and teamwork: “WU+D is at the crossroads of research, material design, and real-world impact. Here, we can create market-ready solutions while training future scientists and engineers.”
She also acknowledged the contributions of her predecessor, Layton, who will remain involved as a Strategic Advisor. Layton’s expertise will help guide the Institute through this period of change.
Under Peresin’s leadership, WU+D plans to focus on five key priorities:
- Innovating wood-based materials, including polymers and composites.
- Building partnerships in academia, government, and the industry.
- Engaging stakeholders to support research and outreach.
- Enhancing workforce training and experiential learning opportunities.
- Promoting sustainability and inclusivity in bioeconomy practices.
Peresin aims to align WU+D with regional and national goals in sustainable development, especially following a recent decline in forestry-related economic activity in South Carolina. With mill closures leaving an estimated 8.2 million tons of excess wood fiber, she sees an opening for revitalizing the local forestry sector.
Some initiatives she envisions include:
- Creating markets for products like mass timber and nanocellulose materials.
- Revitalizing local processing capabilities through collaboration with various agencies.
- Launching projects to integrate engineered wood solutions into public buildings.
- Assisting the SC Forest Recovery Task Force with market strategies and educational programs.
“Combining innovation in materials with workforce development can reconnect South Carolina’s forests to the market, boosting rural economies and landowner benefits,” Peresin noted.
The Wood Utilization + Design Institute acts as a hub for research and training across the wood value chain. By partnering with industry and academia, the Institute focuses on sustainable design and advancing economic growth in the forest products sector. For more information, visit clemson.edu/wud.
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Department of Forestry and Environmental Conservation
