STARKVILLE, Miss.—Mississippi State University’s Rubin Shmulsky, a frequent presenter and attendee at RTA Conferences, recently received the Distinguished Service Award from the International Nondestructive Testing and Evaluation of Wood Symposium for his research and leadership in wood science and engineering.

Shmulsky, the Warren S. Thompson Professor of Wood Science and Technology in MSU’s Forest and Wildlife Research Center, was recognized during the 24th International Nondestructive Testing and Evaluation of Wood Symposium in Vicksburg, Miss. The event was cohosted by MSU’s Department of Sustainable Bioproducts and the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Forest Products Laboratory.

An MSU graduate with a master’s degree in forest products and doctorate in forest resources, Shmulsky has served on the sustainable bioproducts faculty for 22 years, including 18 years as department head and six as associate director of MSU’s Sustainable Energy Research Center.

Throughout his career, Shmulsky has mentored graduate students, scientists and faculty in nondestructive evaluation, secured approximately $15 million from the USDA Forest Products Laboratory to support faculty and student research, and led collaborations between MSU researchers and international experts. Shmulsky has collaborated with RTA Executive Director Dr. Nate Irby on nondestructive testing and evaluation of wood ties.

“I’m humbled to receive this recognition. Nondestructive testing and evaluation have major implications and opportunities for adding value to Mississippi forestland, timber and lumber and making forest products last longer,” Shmulsky said. “MSU has a strong commitment to this effort, and I’m beyond proud to spend my career working with a great team that continues to move these efforts forward.”