At the upcoming UniSC Forest Research Institute public lecture — Forestry in a Nature-Positive Economy — Associate Professor David Lee joins the panel to bring a future-focused perspective from forest genetics and plantation innovation. Leading genetic improvement programs for Acacia, Corymbia, Eucalyptus, Khaya, and other important species in northern Australia, David’s work supports efforts to develop trees that are better suited to future climates, resilient to disease, and valuable both ecologically and commercially.
He has been instrumental in projects developing new hardwood plantations in regions across Queensland, South Africa and Brazil; in advancing disease tolerance (notably against Myrtle Rust) in key Myrtaceous species; and in cutting-edge work with biomass, wood property assessment, and novel breeding technologies.
On the panel, David will bring this crucial scientific lens — where genetics, biotechnology and plantation management meet climate, carbon and industry demand — to help explore what it means for forestry to be both nature-positive and future-ready.
Bio:
Associate Professor David Lee joined the University of the Sunshine Coast in 2009. David leads the Acacia, Backhousia, Corymbia, Eucalyptus, Grevillia, Khaya, Santalum and Zingiber (ginger) genetic improvement programs in northern Australia.
His work has resulted in a change in the hardwood tree varieties grown, commercialisation of new species and development of hardwood plantations in new regions in Queensland, South Africa and Brazil. David currently focuses on plant breeding, disease tolerance, biomass and wood property assessment and characterisation of Corymbia species and hybrids (spotted gums), Eucalyptus cloeziana (Gympie messmate), Backhousia citriodora (Lemon myrtle), Khaya senegalensis (African mahogany), Pinus species, Santalum lanceolatum (Northern Sandalwood) and Zingiber officinale (Edible ginger).
David is a member of both the Forest Industries Research Centre and the Tropical Forests and People Research Centre at UniSC.
We invite you to join the Forest Research Institute, key speaker Dr David Brand, plus an expert panel, to discuss 'Forestry in a nature-positive economy.' Hosted at UniSC's Moreton Bay campus, this free event will be an excellent opportunity to network with colleagues in industry, government, research and academia working towards nature-positive solutions in the forestry sector.
