Haris Gilani
Biomass & Bioenergy Advisor
Dr. Haris Gilani is a Biomass & Bioenergy Advisor with the University of California, Agriculture and Natural Resources (UC ANR). His work focuses on the commercialization and deployment of low-carbon and carbon-negative fuels and bioproducts using non-merchantable forest biomass, with the goal of advancing California’s climate, forest health, and rural economic development objectives.
Dr. Gilani’s research and extension activities center on building scalable, market-driven bioeconomy solutions that convert forest residues and wood waste into clean energy and high-value products. His current projects include California Wood Products Innovation Campuses: A Replicable Model to Promote Bioeconomy Industry Clusters, a CAL FIRE–funded initiative that supports site identification and development of two integrated wood products innovation campuses in Fresno County and San Bernardino County. These campuses are designed to utilize regional wood waste streams to produce low-carbon or carbon-negative hydrogen alongside other bioproducts, creating new industry clusters and local economic opportunities.
He is also leading a project funded by the Joint Institute of Wood Products Innovation to develop Marketing Strategy and Guidelines for California Biochar Producers and Consumers. This effort aims to strengthen biochar markets statewide by providing clear, practical guidance to producers, end users, and stakeholders, ultimately accelerating adoption of biochar as a climate-smart soil amendment and carbon management solution.
Previously, Dr. Gilani held academic and research positions at the University of California, Berkeley; the State University of New York (SUNY); and the University of British Columbia (UBC). At UC Berkeley, he conducted techno-economic and policy analyses on producing hydrogen from biomass and played a key role in organizing a statewide Forest Biofuels Working Group. At UBC, he taught Wood Industry Business Management and conducted research in forest economics and wood products marketing.
Dr. Gilani holds a PhD in Wood Products Marketing from the University of British Columbia. His work has been published in leading business, forestry, and interdisciplinary journals, and he is widely recognized for bridging research, policy, and industry to advance practical bioeconomy solutions.
Peer reviewed
- Gilani H, Ibrik K and Sanchez D (2023). Techno-economic and policy analysis of hydrogen and gasoline Production from Forest biomass, agricultural residues and municipal solid waste in California. Biofuels, Bioprod Biorefining. 17, 988–1002.
- Thengane, SK; Kung, K; Gilani, H; Lim, C; Sokhansanj, S; & Sanchez, D (2021). Market prospects for biochar production and application in California. Biofuels, Bioproducts and Biorefining. 16:6.
- Gilani, H & Innes (2020). The state of British Columbia’s forests: A global comparison. Forests. 11:3.
- Gilani, H & Innes (2020). The state of Canada's forests: A global comparison of the
performance on Montréal Process Criteria and Indicators. Forest Policy and Economics. 118. - Moshofsky, M.; Gilani, H & Kozak (2019). Adapting forest ecosystems to climate change
by identifying the range of acceptable human interventions in Western Canada. Canadian Journal of Forest Research. 49:4. - Gilani, H; Kozak, R; & Innes, J. (2018). Chain of custody certification involvement in the British Columbia value-added wood products sector. European Journal of Wood and Wood Products. 76, 1061–1069.
- Gilani, H; Innes, J & Kent (2018). Developing human well-being domains, metrics and
indicators in an ecosystem-based management context in Haida Gwaii, British Columbia, Canada. Society & Natural Resources. 31:12. - Gilani, H; De Grave, A; & Innes, J (2018). The effects of seasonal business diversification of British Columbia ski resorts on forest management. Journal of Outdoor Recreation and Tourism. 23, 51-58.
- Gilani, H; Kozak, R; & Innes, J (2017). A change management model for the adoption of chain of custody certification in the BC value-added wood products sector. Journal of Change Management. 240-256.
- Gilani, H; Yoshida, T; & Innes, J (2017). A collaborative forest management user group's
perceptions and expectations on REDD+ in Nepal. Forest Policy and Economics. 80, 27-33. - Gilani, H; & Innes, J. (2017). Environmental and social aspects of underwater logging. Geoforum. 86, 188-191.
- Gilani, H; Kozak, R; & Innes, J (2016). The state of innovation in the British Columbia's value-added wood products sector: the example of chain of custody certification. Canadian Journal of Forest Research. 46, 1067-1075.
Non-peer reviewed
- Sanchez, D & Gilani (2022). Advancing Collaborative Action on Forest Biofuels in California. Joint Institute for Wood Products Innovation. California Board of Forestry. Sacramento, CA. California Board of Forestry.
- Gilani, H & Sanchez (2021). Low-carbon forest biofuels in California: state of knowledge, research gaps and near-term priorities. Joint Institute for Wood Products Innovation. California Board of Forestry. Sacramento, CA.
- Gilani, H & Sanchez (2020). An overview of the hydrogen market in California –Opportunities for forest biomass. Joint Institute for Wood Products Innovation. Sacramento, California.
- Gilani, H & Sanchez (2020). Policy options for utilizing forest residues as low-carbon or carbon-negative gaseous or liquid fuels in California. Conservation Strategy Group. Sacramento, California.