Stockholm, Sweden – Dr Jeff Lloyd, Corporate Vice President of Research and Development at Nisus Corporation, has been appointed President of the International Research Group on Wood Protection (IRGWP). The appointment lasts for three years, was preceded by a three-year vice presidency and is followed by three years as Past President. The appointment was announced at the organization’s annual conference held this year in Stockholm, Sweden.

IRGWP is an international non-profit group that focuses on the latest developments and research in wood protection by providing the opportunity to develop and foster interaction between scientists from all over the world. It does this principally through its annual and regional conferences as well as working with different bodies active in the field. The annual meeting is hosted by a different country every year (Malaysia last year and the USA next year). IRGWP has now been meeting for more than 40 years and has members representing more than 50 countries.

“This is an incredible honor,” says Lloyd. “I couldn’t have made this nine-year commitment without the generous support of Nisus Corporation. With their continued backing, I was able to accept the presidential appointment. I consider this appointment as a pinnacle in my career in wood protection, and I hope I can do justice to the position.”

Lloyd has been involved with IRGWP since he was a graduate student with his first paper, ‘The Mechanisms of Action of Borate Wood Treatments’ in 1991. “My first IRGWP meeting was in 1992 in Kyoto, Japan,” says Lloyd. “I was able to go because of assistance provided through winning the Ron Cockcroft award, a merit-based program for full time students that promotes international awareness of developments in research in wood protection.” Over the years Lloyd has served as Diffusible Preservatives working party convener, Wood Protecting Chemicals vice chair and chair as well as serving on the Executive Committee. For the past three years he has served as the IRGWP Vice President. “I would urge anyone involved in wood protection or wood destroying organism research and control to become a member of the group,” Lloyd advises. “It has been of great value to me personally and is a great way for our company to keep ahead of the curve. It has also enabled us to have active research programs with other members across the world.”

Dr. Lloyd has more than 20 years of experience in preservation, pest control and forest pathology research, technical service and global market development. He holds degrees in Applied Biology and Microbiology as well as a Ph.D. in Biochemistry/Preservation Technology from Imperial College at The University of London, England. He has authored numerous scientific publications and is a member of several industry and scientific organizations, including the American Wood Protection Association and the Railroad Tie Association, and is a fellow of the Institute of Wood Science. Dr. Lloyd holds several patents, including patents on the use of calcium borate to protect wood composites and the use of borates on concrete as a termite barrier.

Source: IRGWP