Authored by: Aubrey Pawlikowski Honorees recognized during 2025 UGA Research Awards Banquet as part of Honors Week Three researchers from the University of Georgia’s Warnell School of Forestry and Natural Resources have received top honors, earning UGA Research Awards for their exceptional contributions to research, creativity and innovation. Each spring, the University of Georgia recognizes outstanding faculty, postdoctoral researchers and graduate students through the UGA Research Awards, sponsored by the University of Georgia Research Foundation. Merkle receives Lamar Dodd Creative Research Award Dr. Scott Merkle (Photo credit: UGA) Scott Merkle, professor in the Warnell School, has focused much of his career on saving the American chestnut—a once-dominant species nearly wiped out by chestnut blight. His lab was the first to establish a somatic embryogenesis system for the species, enabling large-scale propagation and genetic transformation to produce blight-resistant trees. Beyond the American chestnut, Merkle has extended his expertise to restoration efforts for other threatened species such as hemlocks and ash trees. His work also supports phytoremediation research using genetically engineered trees to detoxify contaminated soils. Through innovative approaches in in vitro propagation, conservation and genetic engineering, Merkle’s research continues to advance the field of forestry and environmental restoration. “I deeply appreciate being nominated by Warnell for the Lamar Dodd CRA, and I am very happy that the body of my lab's research over the past 40 years was considered worthy of the award,” Merkle said. “I am very lucky to have had so many excellent students, postdocs, visiting scientists and research professionals in the lab, as well as great collaborators who generated high-quality research results using woody plant tissue culture for clonal propagation, germplasm conservation, phytoremediation, species restoration, biomass energy and forest health applications.” Beasley honored with International Collaborative Research Award Dr. James Beasley (Photo credit: UGA) James Beasley, Terrell Distinguished Professor in the Warnell School and the Savannah River Ecology Laboratory, has been recognized with the International Collaborative Research Award for his work with the Radioactive Wildlife Team—an international collaboration spanning the United States, Japan and Norway. The team’s research is reshaping global understanding of how nuclear accidents affect ecosystems, with fieldwork in Chernobyl, Fukushima and other radiologically contaminated landscapes. Working alongside international colleagues Thomas Hinton and Kenji Nanba of Fukushima University and Ole Christian Lind of the Norwegian University of Life Sciences, Beasley helped develop GPS-dosimetry collars to track radiation exposure in free-ranging wildlife. This pioneering technology has improved how scientists assess wildlife health and evaluate radiation-related impacts. Now used on various species ranging from wolves to wild boar and reindeer across Belarus, Japan, Norway, Sweden and the United States, the team’s work has earned recognition from the International Atomic Energy Agency and informed global conservation strategies and broader discussions about the environmental impacts of radiation and risk assessments. “There are so many amazing researchers across UGA, so being selected for this award is a tremendous honor,” Beasley said. “I have been privileged to be able to conduct research around the globe alongside an interdisciplinary team of world-class researchers, all working toward a shared goal of advancing our understanding of the ecological impacts of nuclear accidents.” Tuma receives Robert C. Anderson Memorial Award Dr. Trevor Tuma (Photo credit: UGA) Trevor Tuma, a recent Ph.D. graduate of the Warnell School, has been awarded the Robert C. Anderson Memorial Award in recognition of his outstanding research contributions. As a National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellow, Tuma’s interdisciplinary research spanned forest biotechnology and biology education, reflecting a rare breadth of expertise, volume and impact. Under the direction of professors Chung-Jui “C.J.” Tsai and Erin Dolan, Tuma’s biotechnology research focuses on boosting biofuel production and improving climate resilience in trees. His research integrated greenhouse experiments and field studies to reveal key insights into carbohydrate allocation and biomass yield in trees destined for bioenergy efforts. In parallel, his biology education research has brought attention to the often-overlooked negative aspects of mentoring relationships and examined how these negative relationships can cause harm to students. Tuma’s work has been published in many leading journals and presented at both national and international conferences. Now a postdoctoral research associate, his research continues to drive innovation in STEM education and positions him as an emerging leader in the field. “I am deeply honored and excited to receive this recognition,” Tuma said. “I am grateful to the University of Georgia for cultivating an environment that champions research excellence in both the natural sciences and the social and behavioral sciences.” Warnell leadership praises honorees for their innovation and impact “The achievements of these award recipients are a powerful reminder of the global relevance and interdisciplinary strength of research at Warnell,” said Dean J. Todd Petty. “Dr. Merkle, Dr. Beasley and Dr. Tuma exemplify the far-reaching impact of our work.” Winners are selected by faculty committees and celebrated at the annual Research Awards Banquet, held this year on April 3 as part of Honors Week activities at the Georgia Center for Continuing Education.
