While growing up in Quebec City, Canada, Pascal Theberge, '95 Master of Science in forest products, developed a passion for wood, raw materials, and research.

"I was always fascinated with materials in general," Theberge said. "I enjoyed the idea of taking materials and making them better and more useful for society in woodworking or building."

Theberge's passions gradually developed over time before truly emerging in 1989 when he started his undergraduate career as a wood science major at Universit é Laval in his hometown.

"I really liked the science and engineering aspect of studying, but through my studies and the laboratories we would do, I became more fascinated with the hands-on aspect of the major," Theberge said.

One of the first experiments Theberge recalled was making phenol formaldehyde resin and creating composites, such as plywood and oriented strand board (OSB), from it.

"Being able to participate in the experiment from the front end to the finished product was neat," Theberge said.

After conducting similar experiments throughout his undergraduate career, the experience sparked a desire to do more with engineered wood.

Theberge became interested in pursuing a master's degree after he completed his bachelor's in 1993. He realized the only way to continue the research he enjoyed was to pursue graduate studies.

"I was interested in research from a young age, and I think that research studies open up doors for new opportunities," Theberge said.

As Theberge searched for programs to continue his studies, one of his professors, who had connections to MSU faculty members, recommended Mississippi State.

"I got to know some of the faculty, learn about the wood science and technology industry in the area, and become oriented in the research at MSU," Theberge said.

Theberge began his graduate career at MSU in 1993 with a major in wood sciences and technology and a minor in statistics. He said the transition to Mississippi from Canada was smooth, thank, in part, to Southern hospitality.

"It was a big change for me, coming from Canada to the United States, because I was going to a different region, country, and language," Theberge said. "However, the friendliness of Starkville residents really helped integrate me into the surrounding community and the university."

He said that the program involved a lot of opportunities to work on unique research projects, such as one that involved raw material substitution.

"We took resins or various raw materials and changed their compositions to improve properties and make the raw materials more friendly for processing as OSB," Theberge said.

After two years in the program, Theberge graduated with his master's, and relationships with fellow alumni and faculty members that have endured.

Soon after, he began working at Georgia-Pacific, a leading international tissue, pulp, packaging, and building products company based in Atlanta, Georgia, where he stayed for 11 years. While there, he served as a quality control technician, technologist, associate chemist, and chemist.

Since 2006, Theberge has been as a research scientist at Huber Engineering Woods. Based in Commerce, Georgia, he works with raw materials for the improvement of OSB and other construction materials. He said that while he enjoys the scientific nature of the work, the collaborative atmosphere is what he loves most about the job.

"Working with other like-minded people and in a stimulating environment is beneficial. I am constantly learning and can even bring some of that knowledge into the industry to spark positive changes," Theberge said.

Theberge said his love for research led him to the position, and his affinity for industrial applications has helped him move up in the company.

And while he has been out of the academic environment for a while, Theberge said his love for teaching knowledge to others is still strong.

"I enjoy mentoring younger people coming into the industry by helping them navigate through it. I want to help them reach their full potential," Theberge said. "I have received help and had mentors myself. I just want to pay that forward."