Carol Loopstra retires after 31 years advancing forestry genetics

After 31 years of research and teaching at Texas A&M University, Carol Loopstra, Ph.D., associate professor in the Department of Ecology and Conservation Biology, will retire on Jan. 2, leaving a legacy rooted as deeply as the forests she spent her career studying.

As a forest geneticist, Loopstra’s research focused largely on loblolly pine, the most commercially important tree species in the southeastern U.S. Alongside her graduate students, she advanced forest genetics and genomics for a rapidly evolving field.

Among those contributions was groundbreaking work in marker development. One of her doctoral students identified more than 2.8 million genetic markers in loblolly pine — far exceeding what had previously been available. That work contributed to the development of genetic marker tools and informed research into drought tolerance, a growing concern for Texas forests.

“My work shifted to drought tolerance in pine trees because it’s a research area where we could make an incredible impact for growers, especially those with small tracts,” Loopstra said. “Landowners put a lot of work and investment into regenerating their forests, and losing 50% of their seedlings to drought could be devastating.”

Student success creates legacy

Loopstra’s impact extended well beyond applied research.

She became a steady advocate for the university’s forestry program. She served as undergraduate forestry program leader and ensured students received a rigorous, accredited forestry education based in strong science.

Loopstra advised 17 graduate students, including seven seeking their doctorate. Over the past several years, her focus shifted toward undergraduate students. Whether advising on internships, career paths or graduate school, she worked to create a program culture that prioritized student success.

Now, through former students, her influence ripples throughout the forestry field – from the Texas A&M Forest Service and U.S. Forest Service to urban foresters, city planners and consultants.

That student-centered philosophy carried into the classroom, particularly in her Forest Trees of North America course, where students learned hands-on tree identification techniques – first outdoors, then through herbarium specimens representing forests across the continent. For many students, the class sparked an unexpected appreciation for forestry and the natural world.

“I took it seriously that we offer our students a good program,” Loopstra said. “Forestry is actually very important in Texas, even if many people may not always realize it.”