Andrew Sims

Research Assistant Professor, Forest Genetics

Andrew Sims is a Co-Director for the Cooperative Forest Genetics Research Program (CFGRP). The CFGRP was formed in 1953 as a partnership between FFGS, state agencies, industrial forest management companies, and seedling vendors. His role comprises duties in fundamental genetics research, administration of operation breeding and testing for CFGRP slash pine and loblolly pine for commercial deployment, and technology transfer in support of the Land Grant mission.

• Research Interests

  Andrew's research efforts are geared toward genetic characterization and subsequent genetic gain to improve the economic and ecological resilience of planted forests. Current research activities in support of this mission include:

  • taking quantitative and genomic approaches to accelerate genetic gain in fungal pathogen resilience, fiber production, and stem quality
  • improving operational genetic gain through characterization of physiological and genetic mechanisms impacting deployment
  • exploration of hybridization/introgression for population improvement and forest resilience.
• Education
  • PhD, Forest Resources and Conservation, University of Florida, 2023
  • MSc, Forestry, North Carolina State University, 2017
  • BS, Statistics, North Carolina State University, 2014

FOREST RESOURCES & CONSERVATION

358 Newins-Ziegler Hall
Gainesville, FL 32611-0410

adsims@ufl.edu 
(352) 846-0895