Paula M. Pijut is a Research Plant Physiologist with the Northern Research Station (NRS), Hardwood Tree Improvement and Regeneration Center (HTIRC), and Adjunct Assistant Professor in the Dept. of Forestry and Natural Resources and the Dept. of Horticulture and Landscape Architecture at Purdue University. Paula received her B.S. in Medical Technology from Maryville College of the Sacred Heart, her M.S. in Horticulture from Murray State University, and her Ph.D. in Horticulture from The Ohio State University. Paula has worked for the USDA Forest Service since 1989, and joined the HTIRC in 2001. The HTIRC is a collaborative regional research, development, and technology transfer effort between industry, university, private, state and federal entities to advance tree improvement of central hardwoods for increased forest productivity in hardwood restoration and reforestation programs. The national mission of the HTIRC is to advance the science of hardwood tree improvement, genomics, physiology, protection, and utilization in the hardwood region of the U.S. by: developing and disseminating knowledge on improving the genetic quality of hardwood tree species and conserving fine hardwood germ plasm; developing elite hardwood trees for restoration and regeneration of sustainable hardwood forests and riparian zones for production of forest products and maintenance of genetically diverse ecosystems; increasing knowledge and developing systems for nursery production and plantation establishment; increasing knowledge and developing strategies for protection, utilization, and marketing of the hardwood resource; and developing recognized and respected science leaders in forest genetics, physiology, regeneration, protection, and utilization. Partners include the USDA Forest Service NRS, National Seed Laboratory, and Northeastern Area State and Private Forestry, Purdue University Dept. of Forestry and Natural Resources, Indiana Dept. of Natural Resources Division of Forestry, Indiana Hardwood Lumbermen’s Association, National Hardwood Lumber Association, ArborAmerica Inc., Indiana Forestry and Woodland Owners Association, Walnut Council, American Chestnut Foundation, Steelcase, and the Fred M. van Eck Forest Foundation. In addition, the HTIRC is a center in the National Science Foundation Industry/University Cooperative Research Center program called the Center for Advanced Forestry Systems, a cooperative program with North Carolina State University, Oregon State University, Purdue University, and Virginia Tech.
Paula’s research program focuses on plant cell, tissue, and organ culture for tree improvement and production. Her research is applied and fundamental directed toward germ plasm improvement to increase resistance or tolerance to biotic or abiotic stressors. Her research interests include the physiological, anatomical, and biochemical bases for defense mechanisms to pathogen infection, development of protocols for in vitro selection, somatic embryogenesis, micropropagation, genetic transformation, clonal propagation, and induction of flowering in forest tree species, with subsequent acclimatization of plant material to the greenhouse and field environments. Current species of interest are black walnut, northern red oak, black cherry, butternut, white oak, and green and white ash.
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