Rate My Professor William Powell

William A. Powell served as a professor of biology at the State University of New York College of Environmental Science and Forestry. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree in biology with honors from Salisbury State University and a Ph.D. in biology from Utah State University. Powell joined the faculty at SUNY ESF in 1989, where his work centered on plant biotechnology and forest restoration. In collaboration with colleague Charles Maynard, he co-founded the American Chestnut Research and Restoration Project, which focused on developing blight-resistant American chestnut trees, including the Darling 58 variety, to aid in species restoration efforts.

Powell held the position of director of the Council on Biotechnology in Forestry. In 2013, he received the Forest Biotechnologist of the Year award from the Institute of Forest Biotechnology. In 2023, he and Maynard were honored with the New York State Commendation Award for their contributions to American chestnut research. Powell remained active in his research and teaching roles until his retirement and passing in November 2023.

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