Skip to Main Content

Visionaries: A part of nature from Day One

"I remember growing up, walking in the forests, and realizing the potential of this natural resource," said Eva Haviarova, associate professor of forestry and natural resources. "There is something so peaceful about being in nature and recognizing the potential of its resources."

These childhood walks were one way Haviarova's parents connected her to nature. As she grew older, Haviarova realized that she had a different response to wood than she had to other materials, especially with furniture.

"Unlike other design materials, people tend to have stronger emotion toward wood," she said. "We have a sensory response to wood. Even the raw material can be a work of art."

And like many works of art, Haviarova believes wood has more potential than any other material.

"Every piece of wood is different, it has its own design, texture, and sound engrained in it," she said. "Before I do anything with a piece of wood, I think of the thousands of potential things I could do and then pick the one that highlights the material."

This idea has translated into her research, too. Haviarova helps create school furniture in developing countries. She researches chair joints to find ways to make them last longer and she uses leftover materials for repurposing projects.

"Wood is a very renewable resource," said Haviarova. "Once a piece of furniture has grown old, you can re-create it and make it into something else."

For Haviarova, sharing the potential of wood with others is another reward of her work.

"There is so much potential with wood," Haviarova said. "We just have to see it and use it."

Meet the Filmmaker/Blogger
Laine Barth Laine Barth
About Visionaries

This blog and video are part of the Visionaries series, which highlights the work and lives of researchers in the Purdue University College of Agriculture. The content for this series is created by the students of ASEC 280 (Digital Storytelling).

Explore other videos and blogs created by our student-filmmakers

Videos are also available on the Purdue Agricultural Sciences Education and Communication YouTube channel

Featured Stories

a tractor spreads gypsum across a field and a soil probe has a sample of six inches of a dark brown soil in the metal tube
How Purdue researchers and the USDA are finding ways to bury carbon beneath our feet

Soils are a rare win-win when it comes to burying the carbon released from burning fossil fuels....

Read More
a girl posing for a selfie
Alumni Spotlight: Olivia Schoentrup

Olivia Schoentrup is an alumna of Purdue Animal Sciences who travels the country to visit small...

Read More
Bryan Pijanoski with sound equipment
The sound of the world

It’s summer, but Bryan Pijanowski is as busy as ever. He’s working on several grant...

Read More
ag econ
Trey Malone named as Boehlje Chair in Managerial Economics for Agribusiness

“A business newspaper published an interview with me a few years ago titled, ‘Ag...

Read More
Purdue College of Agriculture.
Virtual Tour Brings Forest Management for the Birds to Life

How does forest management affect wildlife, specifically birds? Which birds prefer which types of...

Read More
Students on the Sweden study abroad trip stand in front of a church
FNR Field Reports: Lucas Cacula Offers Week 2 Update from Sweden Study Abroad Program

Throughout the 2024 Sustainable Natural Resources study abroad course in Sweden, FNR...

Read More
To Top