By Andi Anderson
Sandra Lupien, Director of MassTimber@MSU and Academic Specialist at Michigan State University, has been awarded a Fulbright U.S. Scholar Program award for the 2025–26 academic year.
Her research will take her to Finland, where she will focus on global comparisons of mass timber policy under the “Seeking Solutions for Global Challenges” program, administered by the Fulbright Finland Foundation.
Lupien will collaborate with Dr. Nataša Lovrić of the University of Eastern Finland (UEF), located in Joensuu—widely recognized as the forestry capital of Europe. Together, they will catalog and compare policies supporting mass timber in Michigan, the broader U.S., Finland, and the European Union.
Their findings aim to guide policymakers and industry professionals around the world in advancing sustainable timber initiatives.
“This award is a testament to Sandra’s leadership in mass timber,” said Dr. Richard Kobe, Chair of MSU’s Department of Forestry. “Her work with UEF will strengthen international collaboration and support the growth of mass timber industries in Michigan and beyond.”
Lupien holds appointments not only in the Department of Forestry but also in the School of Planning, Design, and Construction and MSU Extension, all housed within the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources (CANR).
She is one of 11 MSU faculty to receive Fulbright awards for the 2025–26 cycle, with two recipients based in CANR.
The Fulbright Scholar Program supports over 800 professionals annually, allowing scholars to engage in research and teaching abroad. Since 1946, the program has fostered cultural exchange and collaboration in over 160 countries, with alumni including Nobel Laureates and world leaders.
Lupien’s work will not only inform MSU’s mass timber strategies but also enhance global knowledge sharing, benefiting both research institutions and forestry stakeholders across regions.
Photo Credit: michigan-state-university-msu
Categories: Michigan, Education