Brian Brashaw is a Director of the Wood Materials and Engineering Program with the University of Minnesota Duluth, Natural Resources Research Institute. He is a Project Leader of the NDE research efforts at the Natural Resources Research Institute and is a coordinator of the NRRI Physical and Mechanical Testing Laboratory.

He has developed and conducted projects with wood materials emphasizing applied product development and technology transfer. Mr. Brashaw also has performed nondestructive evaluation and destructive testing of composite materials and structural components for building code approval, and analyzed experimental results. His current NDE research focus areas include: NDE technology assessment and implementation for logs, lumber, panel and end-products; development of hardwood structural products (l-joists and trusses and performance testing); participation in ASTM D-7 Wood standards development for NDE of wood products; and technical assistance for all wood products manufacturing.