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Dr Sameer Mehra is the Programme Coordinator of the TU838 - BSc Sustainable Timber Technology programme and a Lecturer in Timber Technologies and Wood Manufacturing at the School of Architecture, Building and Environment, Technological University Dublin - City Campus, Bolton Street. He is also Principal Investigator at the Wood and Bio-based Materials Research Group (WBMRG). He teaches modules in Forestry, Wood Science, and Timber Engineering across the BSc Sustainable Timber Technology and BSc Architectural Technology programmes and supervises final-year theses on wood and bio-based material innovation, the bioeconomy, and circularity.

With over a decade of experience, Dr Mehra’s research expertise spans structural characterisation of wood and engineered wood products, wood modification, wood anatomy, life cycle assessment, and non-metallic, adhesive-free timber connection technologies. He earned his PhD in Engineering from the National University of Ireland Galway (2021), specialising in the “Development of Non-metallic and Adhesive-free Timber-Timber Moment Connections using Compressed Wood Connectors.” As part of the Interreg NWE AFTB project, he developed innovative engineered wood products from plantation-grown timber and successfully tested non-metallic, adhesive-free alternatives to conventional construction materials such as steel and concrete.

Dr Mehra has presented his research extensively across Asia, Europe, and North America, advocating for sustainable material use and the circular bioeconomy. His work has been published in several conferences and journals, emphasising sustainable wood utilisation as a strategy to mitigate climate change.

He holds an MSc in Wood Science and Technology (Forest Research Institute University, Dehradun), a BSc in Forestry (University of Agricultural Sciences, Dharwad), and a Certificate in International Timber Trade (École Supérieure du Bois, Nantes). In 2016, he qualified the National Eligibility Test (NET) conducted by the Agricultural Scientist Recruitment Board (ASRB), Government of India, for Assistant Professorship. Additionally, he completed a Postgraduate Certificate in University Learning and Teaching at Technological University Dublin, underscoring his commitment to pedagogical excellence. Dr Mehra also holds a Digital Badge in Education for Sustainability and a Level 9 Certificate in Educating for Business Sustainability, reflecting his dedication to integrating sustainability principles into education.

Before his academic career, Dr Mehra gained practical industry experience as an Assistant Manager (Quality Control) and Merchandiser in the Indian handicrafts and furniture sector. He has also visited numerous timber industries across Ireland and internationally.
Dr Mehra’s teaching philosophy centres on developing critical thinking, connecting theoretical knowledge with empirical research, accommodating diverse learning styles, and fostering a supportive, engaging learning environment.

Research Interests

Dr. Mehra’s research is multidisciplinary, spanning forestry, wood science, and timber engineering, with a strong focus on sustainable and high-performance bio-based materials. His key research interests include:

•    Material characterisation of timber and bio-based materials
•    Design, development, and testing of engineered wood products
•    Chemical and thermo-hydro-mechanical modification of wood
•    Microscopic analysis of wood and bio-based materials
•    Development of non-metallic and adhesive-free connection systems for timber structures


Current Research Projects

•    Principal Investigator, Integrated Bio-based Innovations for Sustainable Manufacturing, Construction, and Pharmaceutical Applications from Irish Forest Biomass (BIOFABRICATE), funded by the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, 2026–2030
•    Principal Investigator, Advancing Tree Improvement Research for Climate-Resilient, Diverse, and Productive Forests for Ireland (ResilientForests), funded by the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, 2026–2030


Research Consultancy Service

Dr. Mehra provides research support to industry in the areas of wood science and timber engineering. He is currently involved in projects supported through the Enterprise Ireland Innovation Voucher Scheme. For consultancy inquiries or to arrange a meeting, please contact him by email.


Professional Roles and Affiliations:

•    Subject matter specialist for Thematic Group 5 – Communication, Education, Training and Public Awareness, Timber in Construction Steering Group, Ireland.

•    Member of:
o    CA24126 - Fostering Nature-Centred BioDESIGN to Explore regenerative futures (DESIGNAE) (2025-2029)
o    COST Action CA20139 – Holistic Design of Taller Timber Buildings (HELEN) (2021-2025).
o    Technical Working Group – Education and Vocational Training – European Wood Policy Platform (WoodPoP).
o    Member of Technical Working Group – Innovation and Research – European Wood Policy Platform (WoodPoP).
o    InnovaWood Network – European Network for Research and Education in Wood Science and Technology
o    International Society of Wood Science and Technology (SWST)
o    International Society of Tropical Foresters (ISTF)
o    Irish Green Building Council (IGBC)

•    Advisory Board Member for NXTGENWOOD, a DAFM-funded research project.

•    Scientific Committee Member:
o    12th International Congress on Architectural Technology (ICAT), 2027
o    13th International Conference on Wood Science and Engineering in the Third Millennium, 2023
o    10th International Congress on Architectural Technology (ICAT), 2024


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