Liam O’Brien

Liam O’Brien joined the School of Forest Resources in June 2026 as an Assistant Research Professor of Building Science. He completed his Ph.D. in Interdisciplinary Studies (Building Science) at the University of Maine in May 2026, where his work centered on bio-based building materials and building enclosure performance. Before joining SFR, he worked on research projects focused on the hygrothermal and energetic behavior of wood-fiber insulation and other bio-based materials in building applications.

His research examines how the physical, mechanical, and hygrothermal properties of bio-based materials influence building product design, manufacturing, and long-term building performance. He uses a combination of hygrothermal and energy modeling, lab-scale testing, and in-situ monitoring of assemblies and full buildings to study coupled heat, air, and moisture transport, durability, and thermal performance. His current interests include advancing low-carbon, bio-based enclosure systems, improving modeling tools for heat, air, and moisture exchange, de-risking emerging material adoption, and supporting the development of codes and standards that enable high-performance, climate-resilient buildings.