Katherina Beck, director of operations at KLH Élément, was honoured with a gold medal by the International Academy of Wood Science (IAWS).

Katherina received this award for the best doctoral thesis in her category for 2011.

Her thesis topic was Development of a new engineered wood product for structural applications made from trembling aspen and paper birch.

The IAWS brings together internationally recognized scientists and research and teaching institutions active in all aspects of wood science.

Katherina was presented with the medal at the IAWS annual conference in Stockholm this past September.