Douglas J. Gardner is Professor and Program Leader of Sustainable Materials and Technology in the School of Forest Resources at the University of Maine. He is also member of the Advanced Structures and Composites Center and Forest Bioproducts Research Institute. He is scientific co-leader for the UMaine-Oak Ridge National Laboratory Hub and Spoke Program focusing on developing and optimizing the production and integration of bio-based materials and next-generation manufacturing systems into mainstream manufacturing to achieve net-zero carbon emissions. Gardner’s research, teaching, and service activities address polymer processing and interfacial science aspects of wood-polymer composite materials. He has co-authored over 300 technical publications and 150 research presentations, and 9 patents. Gardner is a Fellow of the Society of Wood Science and Technology (SWST). He was awarded the SWST Distinguished Service Award in 2014 and the SWST Distinguished Educator Award in 2018. He was awarded the Outstanding Faculty Research Award for the College of NSFA in 2023.