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Biography

The author's biography is available at the following website.

Work Experience

Associate Professor Boštjan Lesar, PhD works in the fields of wood science, wood protection, durability of timber structures, and wood damage diagnostics. He is Head of the Infrastructure Centre for the Preparation, Ageing, and Field Testing of Wood and Lignocellulosic Materials at the Department of Wood Science and Technology, Biotechnical Faculty, University of Ljubljana. In addition to his research and teaching activities, he actively collaborates with companies, designers, contractors, and building owners in solving complex cases involving wood degradation and failures in timber structures.

His research and professional work focus on understanding the interactions between wood, moisture, and biological degradation agents. Particular emphasis is placed on developing methods for early risk detection, assessing the durability of timber structures, and monitoring wood moisture in buildings. His research addresses the impact of moisture on wood service life, fungal decay development, the effectiveness of wood protection and modification treatments, and the application of advanced diagnostic methods for the assessment of timber structures and wooden buildings.

Professional Expertise

  • Specialist assessment of damage in wood and timber structures
  • Identification of the causes of elevated moisture content in timber buildings
  • Diagnosis of fungal decay and insect infestations in wood
  • Monitoring of wood moisture content and indoor microclimatic conditions
  • Preparation of expert reports and technical assessments for timber structures
  • Condition assessment of historic and heritage buildings
  • Consultancy on remediation and rehabilitation of timber structures
  • Moisture Management in timber construction

He has participated in numerous national and international research and development projects related to wood protection, timber construction, material durability, and circular economy solutions. He is the author and co-author of numerous scientific papers, professional publications, and conference presentations. His work contributes to a better understanding of the role of moisture in wood durability and to the development of effective diagnostic approaches for modern timber construction and the preservation of wooden structures.


Competencies

  • Wood Decay Diagnostics and Assessment
  • Moisture Management in Timber Construction
  • Building Pathology of Timber Structures
  • Fungal Decay and Insect Infestation Assessment
  • Wood Moisture Monitoring and Risk Assessment
  • Durability Assessment of Timber Structures
  • Remedial Strategies for Damaged Timber Structures
  • Advanced Diagnostic Methods for Wood and Timber Buildings
  • Condition Assessment of Historic Timber Structures
  • Expert Witness Services and Technical Reports
  • Wood Protection and Modification Technologies
  • Service Life Prediction of Wood Products and Structures


Recognitions, awards

  • Recipient of the Biotechnical Faculty Award for outstanding teaching and research contributions at the Department of Wood Science and Technology (2025)
  • Recipient of the Puh Prize for applied research excellence
  • Awarded Best Teaching Staff, Department of Wood Technology (2020/21)


Membership

  • Editor-in-Chief of the journal Silvae Acta et Ligni (2025–present)

  • Member of the Scientific Committee of the International Research Group on Wood Protection (IRG-WP) (2023–2026)

  • Member of the International Research Group on Wood Protection (IRG-WP) (https://www.irg-wp.com/)
  • Guest Editor of the journal Forests (2021–present)
  • Member of the Editorial Board of the journal Les (2007–present)


Research Fields

  • Wood Science
  • Moisture Management
  • Biological Degradation of Wood
  • Wood Decay and Fungal Diagnostics
  • Moisture Monitoring in Buildings
  • Durability of Wooden Structures
  • Wood Protection and Modification
  • Building Diagnostics
  • Advanced Diagnostic Methods
  • Cultural Heritage Conservation
  • Sustainable Timber Construction
  • Recycled Wood and Circular Economy


Selected Bibliography

1 . KRŽIŠNIK, Davor, LESAR, Boštjan, THALER, Nejc, HUMAR, Miha. Micro and material climate monitoring in wooden buildings in sub-Alpine environments. Construction & building materials. [Print ed.]. 2018, vol. 166, str. 188-195. ISSN 0950-0618. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0950061818301417, DOI: 10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2018.01.118. [COBISS.SI-ID 2881929]

 

2. DE ANGELIS, Marco, ROMAGNOLI, Manuela, VEK, Viljem, POLJANŠEK, Ida, OVEN, Primož, THALER, Nejc, LESAR, Boštjan, KRŽIŠNIK, Davor, HUMAR, Miha. Chemical composition and resistance of Italian stone pine (Pinus pinea L.) wood against fungal decay and wetting. Industrial crops and products. 2018, vol. 117, str. 187-196, ilustr. ISSN 0926-6690. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0926669018302255, DOI: 10.1016/j.indcrop.2018.03.016. [COBISS.SI-ID 2890633]

 

3. LESAR, Boštjan, HUMAR, Miha, HORA, Guido. Quality assessment of recycled wood with and without non-wooden materials from selected recycling companies in Europe. Waste management. [Print ed.]. 2018, vol. 79, no. sep., str. 362-373. ISSN 0956-053X. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0956053X18304859. [COBISS.SI-ID 2932873]

 

4. LESAR, Boštjan, HUMAR, Miha, HORA, Guido, HACHMEISTER, Philipp, SCHMIEDL, Detlef, PINDEL, Elvira, SIIKA-AHO, Matti, LIITIÄ, Tiina. Utilization of recycled wood in biorefineries: preliminary results of steam explosion and ethanol/water organosolv pulping without a catalyst. European journal of wood and wood products. [Print ed.]. 2016, vol. 74, iss. 5, str. 711-723, ilustr. ISSN 0018-3768. http://link.springer.com/article/10.1007%2Fs00107-016-1064-8, DOI: 10.1007/s00107-016-1064-8. [COBISS.SI-ID 2582409]

 

5. LESAR, Boštjan, STRAŽE, Aleš, HUMAR, Miha. Sorption properties of wood impregnated with aqueous solution of boric acid and montan wax emulsion. Journal of applied polymer science. [Print ed.]. 2011, vol. 120, no. 3, str. 1337-1345. ISSN 0021-8995. [COBISS.SI-ID 1877385]

 

6. LESAR, Boštjan, PAVLIČ, Matjaž, PETRIČ, Marko, SEVER ŠKAPIN, Andrijana, HUMAR, Miha. Wax treatment of wood slows photodegradation. Polymer degradation and stability. 2011, vol. 96, no. 7, str. 1271-1278. ISSN 0141-3910. http://www.sciencedirect.com/science?_ob=ArticleURL&_udi=B6TXS-52KXH9V-1&_user=4776866&_coverDate=04%2F12%2F2011&_rdoc=1&_fmt=high&_orig=gateway&_origin=gateway&_sort=d&_docanchor=&view=c&_acct=C000033658&_version=1&_urlVersion=0&_userid=4776866&md5=595c3b4c8ee1eccfca420ede826fc10f&searchtype=a. [COBISS.SI-ID 1914761]

 

7. LESAR, Boštjan, HUMAR, Miha, KRALJ, Polonca. Influence of montan wax emulsions on leaching dynamics of boric acid from impregnated wood. Wood research. [Tiskana izd.]. 2010, let. 55, št. 1, str. 93-100. ISSN 1336-4561. [COBISS.SI-ID 1792649]