Mauricio Acuna appointed as Research Professor in Luke

Mauricio Acuna has been appointed as a Research Professor in Automation and AI in Forest Operations in Natural Resources Institute Finland (Luke). Acuna starts in his new position on 1 June 2023.

Dr Mauricio Acuna has been appointed as Research Professor in Automation and AI in Forest Operations. Acuna starts his five-year term on 1 June 2023 in Luke’s Production systems unit. His research focuses on advancing new smart digital solutions to enable the next technological leap in forest operations. The aim is to develop cost-effective methods that support the sustainable use of forests, the availability of high-quality raw materials, ecosystem services and biodiversity.

Acuna holds a PhD in Forest Engineering from Oregon State University, a MSc in Operations Management from the University of Chile, and a Bachelor in Forest Engineering from the University Austral of Chile. Before this appointment, Prof. Acuna worked as a Senior Research Fellow in Forest Operations at the University of the Sunshine Coast (UniSC) and the University of Tasmania in Australia. He is also an Adjunct Professor in Forest Operations at UniSC. In these previous roles, he conducted applied research and developed tools for the Australian forest industry in areas that included sensor technologies and artificial intelligence in forest operations, mathematical programming and optimization techniques for forest management and operations, wood and biomass harvesting and transport logistics, operations research and decision support systems, and harvesting machine evaluation.

- I feel excited about this position and being part of a selected group of Professors and Researchers at Luke. Indeed, I’ll be able to develop further my career in AI and Optimization in Forest Operations, conducting high-impact research that helps improve the sustainability of wood supply chains and the competitiveness of the Finnish forest sector, Acuna comments on his new position.

The new research professor is expecting to collaborate with a broad and multidisciplinary group of professors, researchers, and practitioners from diverse fields, including forestry, supply chain management, robotics, AI, Automation, and Optimization. Also, he is expecting to network contacts in Europe and be involved in projects to solve challenging problems in forest operations.

- In addition, I hope to share my knowledge with young researchers and students that help prepare and train the next generation of experts in wood supply chain and forest operations management.

- My research will focus on using innovative and advanced Automation, AI, and Optimization methods and technologies that support the sustainable use of forests and improve the competitiveness of the Finnish forest sector. These solutions will enable the next technological leap in forest operations in Finland and worldwide.

- We are extremely pleased to welcome Mauricio to Luke and Joensuu.  His competence and versatile international networks will support and strengthen our forest technology research and operations in the forest sector in general, in many ways. I’ve heard that Mauricio has already taken a quick start, ideas have been flowing during the spring season and planning of future activities has started so I’m looking for significant breakthroughs in the coming years, Anu Kaukovirta, Vice President of Production Systems unit, comments.

Research Professors are in key positions for the scientific expertise and international visibility and effectiveness of Luke. The aim is to ensure top-level research in Luke’s strategic fields, as well as applicability of research in business.