David Harper is an Assistant Professor located in the Forest Products Center at the University of Tennessee.  He holds a 100% research appointment in the Tennessee Agriculture Experiment Station.  He has been a member of the Forestry, Wildlife, and Fisheries Faculty since 2004.

 

David received a B.A. in Physics from West Virginia University in 1995.  He entered the graduate program in Forest Products at West Virginia University before transferring to Washington State University in 1996.  He the received a M.S. in Civil Engineering in 1998 where his thesis worked focused on monitoring the quality and cure kinetics of isocyanate wood adhesives in situ.  David received his Ph.D. in Civil Engineering from Washington State University in 2003.  His dissertation work examined the role of the wood-polymer interface in the mechanical performance of wood-plastic composites.  This research was conducted under a contract with Office of Naval Research to replace aging waterfront pier structures with environmentally benign composites.  In 2003, he conducted post-doctoral research at the U. S. Forest Service’s Forest Products Laboratory in Madison, WI.  His responsibilities included producing products from small diameter timber and forest debris.  This project was designed to reduce fuels in western forest while adding value to what is considered a waste product.

 

Currently, Dr. Harper is continuing to conduct research in the area of improving the compatibility of naturally derived materials with other polymer systems.  His goal is to improve the utility of undervalued natural materials to support rural development, utilization of renewable materials in engineering applications, and promote environmental stewardship.

 

David enjoys cycling, running, and spending time with his wife, Jessica, and their three children.