About

Dr Tripti Singh specialises and leads wood protection research. Her expertise includes wood durability, timber treatments/remedial treatment, wood modification, bioactive molecules, fungal enzymes, and wood preservation/protection standards. Tripti is involved in wood product development and performance evaluation using national and international testing methods. She liaises with industry, universities and regulators on commercial and government funded research. Currently she is chairing the review committee of NZ Standard NZS 3602 (Timber and Wood-based Products for Use in Building). She is also a committee member of NZS 3640 (Chemical Preservation of Round and Sawn Timber) and Joint Australia/New Zealand Standards Committee TM-012 (Timber Grading and Preservation).

Qualifications

• Certification in Leadership Excellence Programme, University of Auckland - 2008
• PhD (Wood Mycology) Lincoln University, New Zealand - 2006
• MSc Hons (Biological Sciences) University of Waikato, New Zealand -1999
• BPEd (Physical Education) – Banaras Hindu University, India -1995
• BSc (Chemistry, Botany and Zoology) - Purvanchal University, India -1993

Research capabilities

• Wood product development and performance evaluation
• Explore and use bio-based products to control fungi and other microorganisms
• Naturally durable timber species and their characteristics
• Enhancement of wood properties through chemical/thermal modifications
• Building code and NZ/International Standards regarding timber treatments and Wood based products used in buildings
• Sapstain control including integrated bio-protection system
• Understanding the mode of action of specific bioactive molecules at wood/fungus/biocide interactions
• Optimisation of bioactive molecules as antimicrobial agents in a range of applications
• Indoor air quality and mould
• Fungal enzymes
• Fungal and bacterial secondary metabolites as sources of bioremediation and other biotechnological applications
• Extensive experience in science and project management
• Leadership role in the direction of research on various aspect of ‘Wood Mycology’ and “Bioactives molecules” as well as industry liaison on commercial and government funded research in wood preservation/modification.

Career highlights

• Quality scientific research and leadership locally and internationally led to placing in prestigious awards, such as ‘McDiarmid Young Scientist Award’ in 2008.
• A principal investigator and partner (as a sub-contractor) for MBIE funded Auckland University lead “Biocide Toolbox” programme (2014-2020).
• Selected to be a leader and Chair of Section 4 at the International Research Group on Wood Protection (IRG/WP, 2013-2018).
• An international advisory committee member of Australia’s ‘National Centre for Timber Durability and Design Life”.
• As a Group Leader Bioactives (2005-2009) built a team for bio-based preservative research. Successful development of integrated bio-protection system of sapstain control.
• Current member of Joint Australia/New Zealand Standards Committee TM-012 (Timber Grading and Preservation).
• Chair for New Zealand Standards committee (NZS 3602; Timber and Wood based products for use in building).
• Member of the Australasian Wood Preservation Committee (AWPC), timber remediation guide advisory board and NZ standards committee (NZS 3640).
• Invited as a keynote speaker at various national and international conferences/meetings.

Selected papers

Peer-reviewed journal articles

T Singh, D Page (2018): Case studies on the history and use of timber bridges in New Zealand. Wood Material Science and Engineering 13, 159-166.

I Hussain, C Chittenden, T Singh (2018): Synthesis and characterization of hydroxycoumarin esters: their antifungal activities against basidiomycetes. In Press

T Singh, A Vaidya, L Donaldson, A Singh (2016): Improvement in the enzymatic hydrolysis of biofuel substrate by a combined thermochemical and fungal pretreatment. Wood Science and Technology 50, 1003-1014.

T Singh, I Simpson, D Page (2016): Remedial Boron treatment of difficult to access timber in buildings. European J of Wood and Wood Products 74, 703-710.

H Cameron, S Campion, T Singh, A Vaidya (2015): Improved saccharification of steam-exploded Pinus radiata on supplementing crude extract of Penicillium sp. 3 Biotech, 5(2), 221-225.

AP Singh, T Singh (2014): Biotechnological applications of wood-rotting fungi: a review. Biomass and Bioenergy 62, 198-206.

D Page, T Singh (2014): Durability of New Zealand grown timber. New Zealand Journal of Forestry 58, 26-30.

T Singh, D Page, van der Waals (2014): The development of accelerated test methods to evaluate the durability of framing timber. International Biodeterioration & Biodegradation 94, 63-68.

I Hussain, T Singh (2014): Synthesis of biaryls through aromatic C-H bond activation: A review of recent developments. Advance Synthesis and Catalysis 356, 1661-1696.

L Cookson, D Page, T Singh (2014). Accelerated above-ground decay testing in Australia and NZ. International Biodeterioration & Biodegradation 86, 210-217.

T Singh, D Page, A Bennett (2013): Effectiveness of on-site remedial treatments for framing timber. International Biodeterioration & Biodegradation 86, 136-141.

I Hussain, C Chittenden T Singh (2013): Scoping Antifungal Activities of Various Forms of Chitosan Oligomers and Their Potential Fixation in Wood. Journal of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering 7, 1175-1180

T Singh, AP Singh, I Hussain, P Hall (2013): Durability assessment and chemical characterization of torrefied radiata pine wood chips. International Biodeterioration & Biodegradation 85, 347-353.

D O’Callahan, T Singh, I McDonald (2012): Evaluation of lactic acid bacterium from chilli waste as a potential antifungal agent for wood products. Journal of Applied Microbiology 112, 436-442.

I Hussain, T Singh, C Chittenden (2012): Preparation, characterization of chitosan oligomers and their antifungal activities. Holforschung, 66, 119-125.

A Vaidya, T Singh (2012): Pre-treatment of Pinus radiata substrates by fungi to enhance enzymatic hydrolysis. Biotechnology Letters, 34, 1263-1267.

T Singh, AP Singh (2012): A review on natural products as wood protectant. Wood Science and Technology 46, 851-870.

T. Singh and C. Chittenden (2011): Antifungal activity of essential oils against wood degrading fungi and their applications as wood preservative. International Wood Products Journal, 2, 44-48.

T. Singh and C. Chittenden (2010): Efficacy of natural extracts in inhibiting mould growth on panel products. Building and Environment, 45, 2336-2342.

A.P. Singh, T. Singh and C.L. Rickard (2010): Visualising impregnated chitosan in Pinus radiata early wood cells using light and scanning electron microscopy. Micron, 41, 263-267.

C. Chittenden and T. Singh (2009): In vitro evaluation of combination of Trichoderma harzianum and chitosan for the control of sapstain fungi. Biological control, 50, 262-266.

T. Singh and C. Chittenden (2008): In vitro antifungal activity of chilli extracts in combination with Lactobacillus casei against sapstain fungi. International Biodeterioration & Biodegradation, 62, 364-367.

T. Singh, D. Vesentini, A.P. Singh and G. Daniel (2008): Effect of chitosan on physiological, morphological and ultrastructural characteristics of wood degrading fungi. International Biodeterioration & Biodegradation, 62, 116-124.

T. Singh (2008): Migration of methylene bis thiocyanate in wood and its effect on a wood degrading fungus. European Journal of Forest Research, 127, 195-202.

T. Singh, B. Kreber, A. Singh, A. Stewart and M. Jaspers (2006): Microscopic, biochemical and physiological assessment of the effect of methylene bisthiocyanate on the sapstain fungus Ophiostoma floccosum. European Journal of Plant Pathology, 114, 317-328.

T. Singh, B. Kreber, R. Wakeling and A. Stewart (2006): Effect of Methylene bisthiocyanate on propagules and established mycelium of two sapstain fungi. Forest Product Journal, 56 (1): 40-45.

T. Singh, R. Wakeling, B. Kreber, M.V. Jaspers and A. Stewart (2002): Advances in understanding the mode of action of MBT fungicide used in wood protection. New Zealand Plant Protection, 55: 63-67.

Peer reviewed books, book chapters, books edited

A Singh, YS Kim, T Singh (2016): Bacterial degradation of wood – Chapter 9. In Secondary xylem biology: origin, functions and applications. Pp 169-190. Elsevier, Academic Press.

T. Singh and AP Singh (2016): Fungi as decomposers of lignocellulosic materials and their role in waste and pollution control.  In Fungal Biology Series, Springer International Publishing, Fungal Applications in Sustainable Environmental Biotechnology, Diane Purchase Edition.

T. Singh (2010): Sapstain control: Mode of action of mehylene bisthiocyante on sapstain fungi. ISBN 978-3-8383-5057-8, Lambert Academic Publishing AG & Co. KG., Germany. Pp 181.

Selected Conference proceedings

T Singh, D Page (2018): Above-ground testing methods – review of Rotorua, New Zealand test site results after ten years. International Research Group on Wood Protection. Document IRG/WP 18-40801. Stockholm, Sweden.

C Vandermeer, M Patel, K Olejar, S Swift, T Singh, P Kilmartin (2018): Converting grape tannins from winery marc into active packaging. Macrowine conference in Spain.

D O’Callahan, C Chittenden, van der Waals, D Meason, T Singh (2017): Redwood durability in NZ – Can pure culture laboratory tests predict outdoor service life? International Research Group on Wood Protection. Document IRG/WP 17-20610. Stockholm, Sweden.

I Hussain, D O’Callahan, P Kilmarin, T Singh (2017): Preparation of chitosan oligomers, cross-linking with selected compounds and their antimicrobial activities. Tetrahedron Symposium on Bioorganic and Medicinal Chemistry.

D Page, T. Singh (2017): A summary of history and use of timber bridges in New Zealand. International Research Group on Wood Protection. Document IRG/WP 17-40801. Stockholm, Sweden.

T Singh, A. Stocchero (2016):  New Technologies on Wood Panel Modification. At the 7th Wood Products and Chemicals conference in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam (Invited Keynote).

A. Stocchero, T Singh (2016):  Innovations in Cross Laminated Timber (CLT). 7th Wood Products and Chemicals conference in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam.

T Singh, D Page (2016): CCA treated timber, will is last 100 years? International Research Group on Wood Protection. Document IRG/WP 16-20575. Stockholm, Sweden.

T Singh, D Page (2016): The durability of manufactured structural building materials. International Research Group on Wood Protection. Document IRG/WP 16-40718. Stockholm, Sweden.

T Singh (2016): Current and Future Wood Protection Research. Wood Innovation conference, Rotorua, New Zealand (Invited presentation).

D Page, T Singh (2015): An update on durability of New Zealand grown timber. International Research Group on Wood Protection. Document IRG/WP 15-10851. Stockholm, Sweden

T Singh (2014): Current Research and Development from the Scion Wood Protection Group (Bio-based preservatives, testing methods, leaky building related research). Wood Innovation conference, 17-18 September, Rotorua, New Zealand.

T Singh, D Page, A Bennett (2013): Effectiveness of on-site remedial treatment for framing timber in leaky buildings. The 2nd International conference on Biodeterioration of Wood and Wood Products, April 24-27, Tartu, Estonia.

T Singh (2012): Biological pre-treatment of Pinus radiata substrates to enhance enzymatic digestion. The 6yh Bio-energy & Biotechnology symposium, November 23. Bioenergy Research Center, South Korea (Invited Keynote).

T Singh (2012): Innovative Products and Process Developments. Wood Preservation conference, 16th -17th May 2012, Rotorua, New Zealand (Invited Keynote).

F. Saxe; A. Singh, M. Eder; T. Singh; I. Burgert (2011): Micromechanical and structural characterisation of chitosan impregnated radiata pine (Pinus radiata) wood. Novel Materials from wood or cellulose; IAWA International Conference 31st August – 2nd September 2011.

J. Strong and T. Singh (2010): Screening fungal isolates for mannanase production. Biofuel Science Symposium, Scion, Rotorua.

T. Singh and C. Chittenden (2010): Protection of natural product from mould using natural extracts – A potential green building product. New Zealand Sustainable building conference (SB 10), 26-28 May, Wellington. Paper No. 64.

A. Singh, T. Singh, A. Masic and I. Burgert (2009): Chitosan for wood protection: advances in imaging chitosan within impregnated wood tissues. Wood Science and Biotechnology Symposium, Chonnam National University, South Korea (Invited Keynote).

T. Singh and C. Chittenden (2009): Effect of essential oils on decay resistance of wood. III International Conference on Environmental, Industrial and Applied Microbiology (BioMicroWorld2009), 2-4 December, Lisbon Portugal.

T. Singh (2009): Protection of wood against sapstain fungi using an eco-friendly biotechnology.  In Proceedings of “Bioenergy and Biotechnology International Symposium”, Chonnam National University, South Korea (Invited Keynote).

C. Rickard, T. Singh, A. Singh, and R. Newman (2009): Discovering anti-fungal agents in New Zealand native plants for use in wood protection.  International Research Group on Wood Protection. Document IRG/WP 09-10692. Stockholm, Sweden.

D. O’Callahan, T. Singh, and I. McDonald (2009): A rapid microscale assay for determining growth of wood inhabiting fungi against Lactobacillus metabolities. International Research Group on Wood Protection. Document IRG/WP 09-20412. Stockholm, Sweden.

K. Nasheri, R.F. Franich, T. Singh and M. Hedley (2009): Innovative wood products and processing. FIEA wood preservation conference, Rotorua, New Zealand (Invited Keynote).

K. Bayne, B. Dawson, T. Singh and B. Walford (2008): Life home – Moving beyond green design to enhance occupant lifestyle. The 5th World Sustainable Building Conference, Melbourne, Australia.

T. Singh, D. Vesentini, A.P. Singh and G. Daniel (2007): A comparison of the effect of chitosan at cellular level aginst two wood degrading fungi. In Proceedings of "Biodeterioration of Wood and Wood Products" BWWP 2007, Riga, Latvia, 26-29 August.

T. Singh, D. Vesentini, A.P. Singh and A. Osman (2006): Mode(s) of action of chitosan: 1. The effect on fungal cell membranes.  In Proceedings of "8th International Mycology Congres, Cairns, Australia, 20-25 August.

T. Singh, and R.L. Farrell (1999): Immunolocalisation of Sphaeropsis sapinea in wood.  In Proceedings of “The 2nd New Zealand Sapstain Symposium”, Kreber, B. (Ed). Rotorua, New Zealand, 18-19 November.  Forest Research Bulletin No. 215, pp. 109-116.