Dr. Andreja Kutnar is a full professor in the field wood science at the University of Primorska in Koper, Slovenia and director of the InnoRenew CoE. She was an Executive Board member of InnovaWood for six years and in the years 2020/2021 president of the Society of Wood Science and Technology Executive Board. Her areas of expertise include wood composites, therm- hydro-mechanical treatment of wood, and adhesive bonding. Her work focuses on research projects in the fields of natural science, technology, sustainable development of the wood industry, environmental impact assessment of new materials, products, and technologies from origin, manufacturing, use/alteration to reuse or recycle. For the wood industry, she performs life cycle assessments (LCA) and advises on improving environmental impacts across the wood value chain.

In 2014, she co-authored “Contemporary Slovenian Timber Architecture for Sustainability”, a book published by Springer International Publishing AG in the Green Energy and Technology series, and in 2021 she co-authored “Wood Modification Technologies: Principles, Sustainability, and the Need for Innovation”, published by Taylor & Francis Ltd. In 2016, Dr. Kutnar co-edited “Environmental Impacts of Traditional and Innovative Forest-based Bioproducts”, a scientific book published by Springer International Publishing AG in the Environmental Footprints and Eco-design of Products and Processes series. She was chair of COST Action FP1407, “Understanding wood modification through an integrated scientific and environmental impact approach” (ModWoodLife).

In 2016, she was recognized with the “Prometheus of Science for excellence in communication” award for successful multi-level communication in wood science and supporting sustainable development. In 2018, she received the distinguished Zois Certificate of Recognition for important scientific achievements in the field of wood science. And in 2020, she was included in the prestigious European Commission campaign #EUwomen4future that draws attention to outstanding women working in research, innovation, education, culture and sport.