Joe Knight named head of the Department of Forest Resources and Environmental Conservation
Joe Knight has been named head of the Department of Forest Resources and Environmental Conservation in the College of Natural Resources and Environment. Knight brings an extensive background in forestry and natural resources science with a focus on the applications of geospatial analysis and remote sensing in the field.
“The Department of Forest Resources and Environmental Conservation is very strong with a faculty that is highly accomplished,” said Knight. “There’s a diversity of intellectual interests, capacities, and research agendas among our faculty, and I look forward to growing and enhancing our department’s role in preparing the next generation of foresters and conservationists.”
Knight comes to Virginia Tech from the University of Minnesota, where he was a professor in the Department of Forest Resources and director of the Remote Sensing and Geospatial Analysis Lab.
“My research has centered around the application of remote sensing and geospatial technologies to forestry challenges, which has allowed me the chance to work across many different research areas,” said Knight. “I’ve worked on questions related to forest and urban forest health and dynamics, permafrost and thawing monitoring in Alaska, wetlands functions and processes, and invasive species monitoring.”
Knight has received numerous awards for teaching excellence, public engagement, and service. He is a member of the Society of American Foresters, the American Society for Photogrammetry and Remote Sensing, and the Geoscience and Remote Sensing Society of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers. Knight was previously a biologist and remote sensing analyst for the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
“We welcome Dr. Knight to the college in this important department leadership role,” said Paul Winistorfer, dean of the College of Natural Resources and Environment. “Our forestry and environmental conservation program is one of the largest and most successful in the nation, and Dr. Knight brings a strong academic record and valuable experience to our college. We are excited about working with him to not only continue the legacy of a great department, but to also guide the future of the department and the contributions our students and faculty will make to the commonwealth and the world.”
Knight noted a commitment to leading the Department of Forest Resources and Environmental Conservation into the future while also honoring the deep roots and strong industry partnerships that reflect over a century of forestry education in Virginia.
“Right now, many disciplines are coexisting and thriving under the umbrella of our department,” said Knight. “I look forward to working together to see how the range of research focuses among our professors can be brought together to further impact the world.”
Knight begins his tenure as department head in January. Professor Jay Sullivan, who has served as the department head since 2015, will return to his role as a teaching and research faculty member in the department.
“Jay Sullivan has served the college well during his tenure as department head,” said Dean Winistorfer. “He has been vested in the department and college for over three decades and has made a multitude of contributions to our teaching, research, and Extension programs. It has been a pleasure to work with him and we all thank him for his service and contributions.”
