College of Agriculture & Natural Resources Department of Forestry

Katie James and Raju Pokharel have both received 2025 CANR Faculty and Staff Awards; the Excellence in Research Performance and Support Award and the Early Career Researcher Award, respectively.

The CANR Excellence in Research Performance and Support Award recognizes a support staff member for their outstanding performance at a teaching and research center, in a laboratory, field-based research or a research administrative support role.

Katie James, a research administrator in the Department of Forestry since 2015, has been instrumental in supporting the department’s teaching and research initiatives. Her role involves coordinating research activities, managing administrative tasks and ensuring smooth operations within the department.

For one nominator, “It cannot be understated how much our faculty rely upon and value Katie’s assistance. What sets her apart is not only her proficiency but also her approach; she tackles these tasks with kindness, grace, empathy and efficiency.”

The CANR Excellence in Research Award program recognizes the outstanding contributions of CANR researchers to the research mission of Michigan State University (MSU). In particular, the awards focus on the impact that their achievements have had on academic and/or external stakeholder communities.

Raju Pokharel, Ph.D., is an assistant professor of Forest Resource Economics in the Department of Forestry. His research focuses on forest product supply chains, market models, feedstock availability, resource utilization and forest carbon. His current work includes evaluating market opportunities for mass timber, bioenergy and biochar, and assessing the economic tradeoffs of timber products under carbon management strategies. Pokharel is known for his mentorship, with many of his students excelling in internships and industry roles, reflecting his commitment to developing the next generation of forest economists and researchers.