Dr. Mihai Stelian Daian

Mihai Daian is a wood technologist (BSc in Forestry/Wood Technology) and a professional industry development researcher with expertise in value added wood products and a strong professional interest in industry innovation and development.

He has worked in industry projects with focus on process improvement and innovation. He has proven record of success in providing process and technical solutions, establishing effective relationships between industry members, academics and government institutions.

Mihai’s knowledge is in advanced timber processing, sustainability of timber supply chain, wood utilisation in non-traditional products and the dynamics of Australian timber industry and its counterpart industry in Asian countries. His expertise extends to national and international operational research programs and handling funding applications, negotiations, tracking and reporting requirements. He developed and supported major project proposals, and secured key project funding.

Mihai has advanced R&D skills, project management, strategic planning and information dissemination skills, He is a highly motivated team player, able to develop solutions at industry wide and company levels, aiming to deliver significant, long term efficiency improvements and cost savings.

Mihai has worked in various engineering, research and consulting roles. He was Research Engineer at Swinburne University, Postdoctoral Research Fellow for Australian Center for International Agricultural Research (ACIAR) at The University of Melbourne, and research consultant at Fitzpatrick Woods Consulting.

Mihai is a 2013 Gottstein Trust Fellow, currently investigating “Non-traditional cellulose products - Opportunities for innovation, diversification and development for the Australian forestry and wood manufacturing industry”.

He also has a PhD in Wood Innovations - Processing of Wood (2006) from Australia, and a Masters of Science in Agricultural Economics and Management Sciences (2004) from the European Union.