The Marcus Wallenberg Prize (MWP) is an international award that recognises, encourages, and stimulates pathbreaking scientific achievements in forestry. Specifically, those that contribute significantly to broadening knowledge and to technical development within the fields of importance to forestry and forest industries. Dr Gerald Tuskan was awarded the 2025 Marcus Wallenberg Prize for his pioneering work in sequencing and analyzing the first tree genome; that of the black poplar (Populus trichocarpa), published in 2006. His leadership in this project  has revolutionized research in tree and forest genomics and biotechnology, paving the way for genome-based breeding of commercially important trees and many other important innovations in forestry and  biotechnology.

The Marcus Wallenberg Prize Symposium 2025 was held on 4 November as part of the awards ceremony with this year’s theme being “From tree genomes to future forest”. Nine speakers were invited to present at this year’s symposium, delivering presentations on forest genomics from scientific, regulatory, and business perspectives with the keynote address by the 2025 MWP Laureate, Dr Gerald Tuskan. Prof. Sanushka Naidoo, research leader of the Forest Molecular Genetics (FMG) research group and the Eucalyptus Pine Pathogens Interaction (EPPI) research group in FABI was one of these invited speakers to participate in this year’s symposium on 4 November. Her presentation “Harnessing the power of genomics to enhance tree resistance” gave insights on how her research group is harnessing the power of genomics to improve plantation trees’ resistance to pests and pathogens while maximising yield. Prof. Mike Wingfield, a member of the MWP Scientific Advisory Committee was the moderator for the symposium that was live-streamed to a global audience on 4 November.

A recording of the Marcus Wallenberg Prize Symposium 2025 can be viewed by clicking here.