Mohammadali Azadfar

Woody Biomass and Forest Products Advisor
Cooperative Extension Siskiyou County
1655 South Main Street
Yreka, CA 96097
(530) 842-2711
mazadfar@ucanr.edu Create VCard

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Biography

Mohammadali Azadfar, Ph.D., joined UC ANR as the UC Cooperative Extension Woody Biomass and Forest Products Advisor for Siskiyou, Shasta, and Trinity Counties. In this role, he will focus on promoting sustainable forest products and woody biomass utilization to enhance forest resilience and support local communities. Dr. Azadfar's work will involve collaborating with forestland owners, rural communities, and local organizations to develop science-based solutions for managing woody biomass, reducing wildfire risks, and advancing forest products.  “I am committed to developing innovative strategies for forest management that empower communities and protect our natural resources,” Azadfar said. “By working closely with stakeholders, we can create sustainable practices that benefit both the environment and the people who rely on it.”

Originally from northern Iran near the Hyrcanian forests, he grew up immersed in the rich biodiversity of these ancient woodlands, which inspired his lifelong dedication to forest stewardship. His early experiences witnessing the impact of forest degradation on both the environment and local livelihoods motivated him to pursue a career in natural resources. “The moment I saw how utilizing old corrugated container waste for paper production could reduce the need for deforestation was a pivotal turning point in my career,” Azadfar recalls. “It showed me the power of innovative, sustainable solutions in protecting our natural resources while still meeting industrial needs.” Dr. Azadfar holds a bachelor’s and master’s degree in natural resources engineering with a focus on wood science and engineering from Iran, as well as a Ph.D. in biological and agricultural engineering, specializing in bioenergy and bioproducts from Washington State University. He also completed a postdoctoral fellowship at Washington State University’s Composite Materials and Engineering Center, where he specialized in sustainable woody biomass utilization.

Before joining UC ANR, Dr. Azadfar served as an assistant professor of environmental and renewable resources at State University of New York (SUNY) College of Agriculture and Technology. As head of the Wood Products Technology program, he ran the wood products center, overseeing both technical instruction and applied research to prepare students for careers in wood science and technology. Under his leadership, students gained hands-on experience in wood processing, from operating sawmills and kilns to understanding advanced woodworking machinery. Through these experiences, they not only mastered practical skills but also engaged in research projects, such as testing wood surface preparations to enhance adhesive bonding and creating cross-laminated timber prototypes. This research-based approach, Azadfar believes, helps students see the broader scientific and industrial applications of wood technology, inspiring innovation within the field.

In his current role, he will lead research and community engagement efforts to support fuel reduction projects, improve woody biomass utilization, and enhance forest management practices across the region. "I look forward to working with local communities to continue addressing their needs by advancing sustainable woody biomass utilization and forest products, and improving forest resilience,” he said.

Dr. Azadfar is based at UC Cooperative Extension’s Siskiyou County office and can be reached at mazadfar@ucanr.edu.

Click here to view and subscribe to the Northern California Woody Biomass and Forest Products Newsletter!

Northern California Woody Biomass and Forest Products    

Northern California Woody Biomass and Forest Products is a periodic newsletter for forestland owners, rural communities, local stakeholders in Siskiyou, Shasta, and Trinity Counties, and for all people who are interested in applied research and development programs in woody biomass and forest products. It focuses on practical, research-based strategies for sustainable forest management, reducing wildfire risks, and supporting local economies through the innovative use of woody biomass. This newsletter will also keep you informed about new developments, workshops, and collaborative efforts aimed at protecting forests and the livelihoods that rely on them.

Education

Ph.D. Biological and Agricultural Engineering-Bioenergy and Bioproducts, Washington State University. 2016
M.S. Natural Resources Engineering-Wood Science and Engineering, Tarbiat Modares University. 2009
B.S. Natural Resources Engineering-Wood Science and Engineering, Azad University. 2003

Discipline

Forest Management

Specialty

Advancing extension education and applied research programs. Focused on enhancing the cost-effective utilization of woody biomass, fostering sustainable practices, and driving innovation in forest products.

Bibliography

Peer Reviewed

  • Azadfar, M; Wolcott, MP (2020). Surface Characterization of Powdered Cellulose Activated by Potassium Hydroxide in Dry Condition Through Ball Milling. Polysaccharides 1 (1), 80-89.
  • Azadfar, M; Graham, MR; MP, Wolcott (2019). Effect of Cellulose Reducing Ends on the Reinforcing Capacity of Powdered Cellulose in Polypropylene Composites. Composites Science 3 (4), 98.
  • Azadfar, M; Hiscox, WC; Chen, S (2016). Solubilization of lignin in copolymer micelles in aqueous solution. Colloids and Surfaces A: Physicochemical and Engineering Aspects 503, 1-10.
  • Azadfar, M; Gao, AH; Bule, MV; Chen, S (2015). Structural characterization of lignin: A potential source of antioxidants guaiacol and 4-vinylguaiacol. International Journal of Biological Macromolecules 75 (April 2015), 58-66.
  • Azadfar, M; Behrooz, R; Jahan-Latibari, A (2011). The influence of alkalinity in oxygen delignification of soda/AQ pulp from old corrugated container. Iranian Journal of Wood and Paper Science Research 26 (2 (35)), 232-242.

Non-Peer Reviewed

  • Azadfar, Mohammadali; Burns, Benjamin T; Timian, Gifford M (2020). Adhesive Bonding of Planed and Sawn Jointed Sugar Maple Lumber: Bending Strength of Glued Joints. International Society of Wood Science and Technology.
  • Azadfar, Mohammadali; Herz, Galen; Varnum, Megan; Cardinalli, Cecile; Bigbee-Hansen, Samuel; Wolcott, Michael (2019). Coupling mechanical size reduction with dry chemical pretreatment of residual lignocellulosic biomass: Lignocellulose based sugars with a new delignification approach. ASABE International Conference, ES-Energy Systems - session 203 Advances in Biomass Preprocessing, Boston, MA.
  • Duya, Moira; Zhong, Tuhua; Azadfar, Mohammadali; Wolcott, Michael (2018). Assessing energy efficiency of mechanical pretreatment of lignocellulosic biomass in a pilot-scale vibratory mill for clean cellulosic sugar production. AIChE Annual Meeting.
  • Freiburger, Andrew; Azadfar, Mohammadali; Wolcott, Michael (2018). Development of cellulose-based oxygen scavenging films for olive oil packaging applications: photo-oxidation study. Washington State University, https://summerresearch.wsu.edu/documents/2018/08/abstract-book_summer-undergraduate-research-symposium-2018.pdf/.
  • Azadfar, Mohammadali; Wolcott, MP (2018). Mechanically initiated glucose oxidoreductase enzyme system: a top down approach for the conversion of lignocellulosic wastes into biofuels and value-added chemicals. WSU Academic Showcase (https://showcase.wsu.edu/academic-showcase/).
  • Azadfar, Mohammadali; Wolcott, MP (2017). A green approach for the chemical functionalization of cellulose powders for more demanding applications. Academic Showcase, Washington State University.
  • Azadfar, Mohammadali; Wolcott, MP (2017). Mechanochemically initiated polymerizations: Solvent-free enolate-mediated reactions of cellulose in a ball-mill. MS&T 17 Conference, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA.
  • Wolcott, MP; Zhang, Jinwen; Wang, Jinwu; Azadfar, Mohammadali; Jiang, Jinxue; Liu, Yalan (2017). Mechanochemo approaches to lignocellulosic biomass and its isolated polymers. MS&T 17 Conference, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA.
  • Azadfar, Mohammadali; Graham, Max; Huang, Lang; Wolcott, MP (2017). The Influence of cellulose reducing ends on degradation of physical-mechanical properties of cellulose powder-reinforced PP composites with conditioning time. The OSU-WSU-UI Symposium on Forestry and Timber Research.
  • Azadfar, Mohammadali; Hiscox, William C; Chen, Shulin (2016). Chemoselective aerobic oxidation of aliphatic alcohols in lignin in micellar system. AIChE Annual Conference, San Francisco, CA, USA.
  • Englund, Karl; Azadfar, Mohammadali; Schneider, Gerald; Chetan, Lalit; Samaniego, Raul Pelaez (2016). Feedstock supply chain analysis. NARA.
  • Azadfar, Mohammadali; Hiscox, William C; Chen, Shulin (2016). Novel process for producing value-added lignin-based chemicals from alkaline effluent of chemical treatment of lignocellulosic biomass. PCT/US2016/015718; WO 2016/123520 A2.
  • Azadfar, Mohammadali; Hiscox, William; Chen, Shulin (2015). Investigation of nano-structural characteristics of lignin-ABA block co-polymer aggregates leading to use of micelles as nano-reactors for lignin conversion. AIChE Annual Conference, Salt Lake city, Utah, USA.
  • Azadfar, Mohammadali; Hiscox, William; Chen, Shulin (2015). Solubilization of lignin derivatives in tri-block co-polymer micellar systems. ASABE International Conference, New Orleans,LA, USA.
  • Azadfar, Mohammadali; Gao, Allan H; Bule, Mahesh V; Chen, Shulin (2014). Correlation of lignin structure to its antioxidant activity. ASABE International Conference, Montreal, Quebec Canada.
  • Azadfar, Mohammadali; Gao, Allan H; Chen, Shulin (2014). Upgrading lignin antioxidant properties by selective dissociation of wheat straw lignin linkages. IChE Annual Conference, Atlanta, Georgia.
  • Abhari, Araz Rajabi; Azadfar, Mohammadali (2011). Agricultural lignocellulosic fibers for reducing deforestation. Agricultural and Natural Resources Research Symposium, University of Guilan, Rasht, Iran.
  • Azadfar, Mohammadali; Behrooz, Rabi (2010). Determining the best cooking time for bleachable pulp of OCC soda–AQ pulping. 1th National Conference on Lignocellulosic Materials Research and Technology, Gorgan University of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources, Iran.
  • Azadfar, Mohammadali; Behrooz, Rabi (2009). Assessing of Populus deltoides as a fast-growing-tree for wood and paper industries. 2nd National Symposium on Populus Sciences and Research, Research Institute of Forests and Rangelands, Ministry of Agriculture Jihad, Tehran, Iran.

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