MSU Forest Carbon and Climate Program Appoints New Director

The Department of Forest at Michigan State University (MSU) has appointed Chad Papa as director of the MSU Forest Carbon and Climate Program, effective Jan. 1, 2025.

Chad Papa's, new director of the Forest Carbon and Climate Program, headshot.

EAST LANSING, Mich. – The Department of Forestry at Michigan State University (MSU) has appointed Chad Papa as director of the MSU Forest Carbon and Climate Program (FCCP), effective Jan. 1, 2025.

We are delighted to share the exciting news of the appointment of our incoming Director, Dr. Chad Papa, who joined the FCCP in this new role on January 1st. Chad brings an extensive background conducting research and outreach activities spanning forest ecology, carbon accounting, harvested wood products, and professional training in natural resources. 

“I’m excited to continue to contribute to the valuable work of the MSU Forest Carbon and Climate Program in being a leader to promote the interdisciplinary understanding of forest benefits and how to foster balanced perspectives of how natural and working forestlands, forest products, and forest policy can address the many challenges of climate change through both mitigation and adaptation,” said Papa.

Chad has a Ph.D. in forestry from Michigan State University. Previously, he earned a M.S. in forestry from Michigan State University and a B.S. in environmental science from the University of Florida. Chad has spent the past 6 years as a research assistant with the FCCP where he led a diverse portfolio of projects including conducting original research on forest carbon topics, developing professional education and curriculum, organizing webinar series, conducting in-person workshops for natural resource professionals, and teaching core undergraduate courses on forest ecology, harvest wood products, and forest carbon. Prior to his time at MSU, he spent time as an Agroforestry Extension Agent in Senegal with the U.S. Peace Corps and as a Research Horticulturist at Marie Selby Botanical Gardens.

We would like to express our gratitude to Dr. Daniel Ortega-Pacheco, former director of FCCP, as well as the FCCP transition team which included Dr. Emily Silver, Sandra Lupien and Dr. Raju Pokharel for their great leadership. We look forward to continuing to build upon the FCCP’s mission and established legacy as we embark on this new chapter under Chad Papa’s leadership. 

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