Mississippi State University | United States
Dr. Curtis Lee Vanderschaaf is a Certified Forester® with a prolific career spanning research, academia, and forest resource management. Currently serving as an Assistant Professor at Mississippi State University, he is widely recognized for his work in forest biometrics, growth and yield modeling, and forest carbon markets. With decades of dedication across multiple states, including Minnesota, Texas, Louisiana, and Mississippi, Dr. Vanderschaaf has become a leading figure in forestry extension and decision support systems. His cross-sector expertise bridges technical innovation and on-the-ground forest management, positively impacting both landowners and the academic community.
Author Profile👤
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Strengths for the Awards✨
Curtis Lee Vanderschaaf, Certified Forester® and Assistant Professor at Mississippi State University, stands out as a deeply accomplished forest biometrician and silvicultural modeler. His extensive academic background—Ph.D. in Forest Biometrics from Virginia Tech, M.S. in Forest Management from the University of Idaho, and a B.S. from Stephen F. Austin State University—has laid a rigorous foundation for over two decades of high-impact contributions. His career includes academic positions and applied research roles with organizations like the Minnesota Division of Forestry, the Texas Forest Service, and Louisiana Tech University.
Curtis’s research strengths lie in growth and yield modeling, carbon sequestration modeling, forest inventory systems, and timber decision support systems (TDSSs). He has developed and implemented numerous advanced forest modeling tools, including LONGeOFIELD, LOBtech, and others for pine species management. His work has supported both academic communities and forest industries, ensuring sustainable forest productivity through applied science.
🎓 Education
Dr. Vanderschaaf earned his Ph.D. in Forest Biometrics from Virginia Tech University (2006), where he specialized in modeling size-density relationships in loblolly pine plantations under the guidance of Dr. Harold Burkhart. His Master’s in Forest Management was completed at the University of Idaho (1999), focusing on operational fertilization effects on understory vegetation. He began his academic journey with a B.Sc. in Forest Management from Stephen F. Austin State University (1996), where he received an academic scholarship from the International Society of Arboriculture.
🧑💼 Experience
Dr. Vanderschaaf’s diverse professional experience includes academia, government, and extension. At Mississippi State University, he leads forest modeling initiatives, teaches landowner workshops, and develops forest carbon market tools. Previously, he held a faculty role at Louisiana Tech University, where he taught forestry courses and developed various Timber Decision Support Systems (TDSS). He served as a biometrician with the Minnesota Division of Forestry, contributing to state-level forest management plans using strategic models like Remsoft Woodstock. Earlier, at the Texas Forest Service, he worked on forest inventory systems and bioenergy economics.
Dr. Vanderschaaf’s research centers on forest growth and yield modeling, forest carbon accounting, biometric analyses, and decision support tools for landowners. He actively develops simulators for southern pine species and works on carbon estimation in different pools—biomass, soil, and harvested wood products. His work spans from optimizing thinning and reforestation to integrating forest economics and climate resilience into long-term management.
🏆 Awards
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2012 Conservation Enhancement Employee Recognition Commissioner’s Award, MN DNR Extended Rotation Forestry Policy Team
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Twice nominated for Louisiana Tech’s College of Applied and Natural Sciences Teaching and Research Awards
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Recipient of the International Society of Arboriculture Academic Scholarship
These accolades reflect his unwavering commitment to advancing sustainable forest management and education.
📚 Publications
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Regional mixed-effects height–diameter models for loblolly pine (Pinus taeda L.) plantations
Authors: G. Trincado, C.L. VanderSchaaf, H.E. Burkhart
Year: 2007
Citations: 163
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Comparison of methods to estimate Reineke’s maximum size-density relationship species boundary line slope
Authors: C.L. VanderSchaaf, H.E. Burkhart
Year: 2007
Citations: 90
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The effect of density on the height-diameter relationship
Authors: B. Zeide, C. Vanderschaaf
Year: 2002
Citations: 90
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A multilevel individual tree basal area increment model for aspen in boreal mixedwood stands
Authors: Y. Yang, S. Huang, S.X. Meng, G. Trincado, C.L. VanderSchaaf
Year: 2009
Citations: 77
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Evaluation of population-averaged and subject-specific approaches for modeling the dominant or codominant height of lodgepole pine trees
Authors: S.X. Meng, S. Huang, Y. Yang, G. Trincado, C.L. VanderSchaaf
Year: 2009
Citations: 55
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Assessing the impacts of species composition, top height and density on individual tree height prediction of quaking aspen in boreal mixedwoods
Authors: S. Huang, D.P. Wiens, Y. Yang, S.X. Meng, C.L. Vanderschaaf
Year: 2009
Citations: 51
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Determining productivity gains from herbaceous vegetation management with ‘age-shift’ calculations
Authors: D.B. South, J.H. Miller, M.O. Kimberley, C.L. Vanderschaaf
Year: 2006
Citations: 50
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Using segmented regression to estimate stages and phases of stand development
Authors: C.L. VanderSchaaf, H.E. Burkhart
Year: 2008
Citations: 36
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Winter nitrogen fertilization of loblolly pine seedlings
Authors: C. VanderSchaaf, K. McNabb
Year: 2004
Citations: 32
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Growth of graded sweetgum 3 years after root and shoot pruning
Authors: K. McNabb, C. VanderSchaaf
Year: 2005
Citations: 29
✅ Conclusion
Dr. Curtis Lee Vanderschaaf is a visionary forest scientist whose expertise spans academic research, practical forestry, and landowner education. His dedication to advancing forest biometrics, sustainable forest management, and carbon market readiness makes him a compelling nominee for the Best Researcher Award. His career demonstrates a perfect blend of quantitative modeling, community service, and applied forest science that supports both policy and practice.
