Boštjan Lesar

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Roots and Education

I was born in December 1980 in Ljubljana, Slovenia, and spent my childhood in a village near Ribnica. Growing up with three younger brothers, we lived on a small farm that included cows, horses, and a forest. I always enjoyed working alongside my father and grandfather in the woods, preparing firewood and lumber for our farm. I took great pleasure in woodworking at home, whether repairing old roofs or constructing new wooden structures we needed. Although we didn't have a carpentry workshop at home, Ribnica is renowned for its woodenware, or "Suha Roba." For centuries, almost every farm in the area has produced wooden products. In 1492, a charter from Emperor Frederick III granted local residents the right to sell their handmade goods, which spurred the development of the crofter's trade and the production of Ribnica's famous woodenware.

My passion for woodworking led me to enroll in a secondary school for woodworking in Ljubljana. After completing high school, I joined the Biotechnical Faculty at the University of Ljubljana in 1999 to study wood science and engineering. I completed my diploma thesis under Professor Franc Pohleven, a former IRG member, titled "Analysis of Thermally Modified Wood by Infrared Spectroscopy and Thermal Analysis." During my studies, I developed a keen interest in the timber industry, particularly in building with wood.

Work Experience in Industry and University

Throughout high school and university, I gained valuable experience by working in various carpentry workshops, focusing on furniture production, joinery, and wooden building construction. My first job was with a company that manufactures and installs glulam beams. However, I quickly transitioned to a role as a constructor and production trainee at a German company in Austria called Hass. This experience taught me a great deal about timber construction efficiency and the just-in-time delivery of materials to job sites. During this time, I relocated to Maribor, the hometown of my girlfriend (now my wife). After completing my internship in Austria, I took a position as a sales representative for the Slovenian branch of Hass, but this role lasted only six months.

In the autumn of 2006, I was offered a chance to pursue a PhD as a young researcher at the Biotechnical Faculty, which I accepted after just two days of consideration. My research focused on boron leaching and wood hydrophobicity, culminating in my PhD thesis titled "Interactions of Boron Compounds and Wax Emulsions with Wood and Wood Fungi." Following my graduation in 2011, I worked for three years in the wood construction and natural insulation industry. Since 2014, I have served as an assistant professor and lecturer in the Department of Wood Science and Technology at the Biotechnical Faculty. My primary research areas include wood pests, wood protection, and wood construction. Recently, my studies have concentrated on the outdoor service life of wood and the resistance of wood in building structures. I also conduct case studies on damage caused by wood decay fungi in wooden buildings. In my lectures, I strive to convey insights from industry experiences and case studies involving damaged structures. Additionally, I head the Infrastructure Centre for Preparation, Ageing, and Field Testing of Wood and Lignocellulosic Materials, which aims to provide a platform for testing the resistance, service life predictions, and other properties of lignocellulose-based materials.

I have established strong ties with the industry and served as President of the Slovenian Woodworkers' Association from 2016 to 2020. In 2016, I received the Puh Award for Achievements in the Wood Industry as part of a team together whit IRG vice president Miha Humar and other colleges.

IRG

My first IRG meeting was IRG41 in Biarritz, France, in 2010. It was a delightful event with numerous networking opportunities. One highlight was a dinner at a market open exclusively to IRG participants. Due to my commitments in the industry, I missed several conferences afterward. However, since 2016, I have attended all IRG conferences regularly and always look forward to meeting colleagues from around the world in new and exciting locations. I served on the organizing committee for the IRG53 meeting in Bled, Slovenia, and since last year, I have been a member of the Scientific Programme Committee, Section 5: Sustainability & Environment.

Extracurricular Activities

I have brought my passion for wood and timber construction into my personal life by building a timber frame house, partly constructed from wood sourced from my forest in Ribnica. I completed much of the work myself, with the help of my three brothers and colleagues. I take particular pride in the façade, treated with iron sulphate, which has become a valuable research subject for my work at the faculty.

Additionally, since 2016, I have been cultivating Haskap berries on my father-in-law's farm. Our plantation was among the first in Slovenia, and we continue to learn about growing these plants to ensure a good fruit yield. I am actively involved in the Slovenian Association of Haskap Berry Growers, where I serve as a founding member and president.

In my free time, I actively engage with my local community as a member of a volunteer firefighting association. I also love spending time outdoors with my son, David, my daughter, Ronja, and my wife, Mateja. Our home features a large garden next to a forest, where we enjoy many moments together. On weekends, we relish hiking in the mountains and share a passion for skiing—especially my son, who is enthusiastic about everything related to snow. In recent years, I’ve taken up mountain biking to explore both my surrounding area and beyond during our family holidays. Most of our summer vacations are spent on the Croatian coast, where we also take time to discover the hinterland by bike. One of my fondest memories is walking the Camino de Santiago along the French way with Mateja in 2009; it was truly the best holiday we’ve ever had.

This bio was written for inclusion in November 2024 IRG Newsletter.