Laya Khademibami, assistant research professor of sustainable bioproducts at the Mississippi State University Forest and Wildlife Research Center, has received the Wood Engineering Achievement Award for Young Engineers from the Forest Products Society, an international organization promoting advancements in forest products research, education, and industry.
In her research, Dr. Khademibami focuses on improving long-term performance of structural insulated panels. Through collaboration with colleagues at Mississippi State University, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Forest Products Laboratory, and the Structural Insulated Panel Association, she developed a series of full-scale studies designed to answer questions about building code development. Her upcoming research endeavors will center on advancing the performance, durability, and sustainability of wood-based materials.
Dr. Khademibami earned her bachelor’s degree in wood and paper sciences and technology from the University of Tehran in Iran and her master’s degree in the same discipline from Tarbiat Modares University in Iran. She holds a Ph.D. in forest resources from Mississippi State University.


