Student projects enhanced by collaboration with BRANZ

PhD students from the University of Canterbury’s School of Forestry, Parisa Sedighizadeh, Milad Lezgi, and Lili Jia, recently visited the Building Research Association of New Zealand (BRANZ), with the generous support of WIDE Trust. This visit underscores WIDE Trust’s ongoing commitment to supporting postgraduate students whose research focuses on the utilisation of timber for building applications.

During their visit, the students had the opportunity to meet with several BRANZ researchers. Parisa Sedighizadeh engaged in discussions with Dr. Kathryn Stokes (Senior Materials Scientist), Dr. Catherine Nicholson (Senior Materials Scientist), Dr. David Carradine (Structures Team Leader), and Dr. Angela Liu (Senior Structural Engineer) regarding her PhD research “Impact of Flooding on the Structural Performance of Light Timber Frame Shear Walls.” Milad Lezgi and Lili Jia also benefited from the expertise of Dr. Carradine and Dr. Liu, discussing the experimental setups proposed for measuring in-plane shear properties of cross-laminated timber (CLT) in their respective studies.

In addition to the productive meetings, the BRANZ researchers generously provided the students with a tour of their state-of-the-art testing facilities. This experience offered valuable insight into the practical aspects of timber research and testing, helping to bridge the gap between academic research and real-world applications.

The visit proved to be an invaluable experience for the students, offering them not only a deeper understanding of timber research, but also an opportunity to expand their professional networks. WIDE Trust’s continued support ensures that emerging researchers like Parisa, Milad, and Lili can collaborate with leading experts and further their studies, contributing to the future of sustainable timber utilisation in building applications.

Businesses, students and others involved in studies and work to enhance the forestry and wood industry sectors in New Zealand are invited to apply to the WIDE Trust for a grant to support their efforts.

Apply Online – www.widetrust.org.nz.

Source & image credit: WIDE Trust