Hudiburg attended Pacific Lutheran University in Tacoma, Washington, graduating in 1998 with a bachelor's degree in Biology.[1] Following that, she attended Oregon State University where she graduated in 2008 with a M.S. in Forest Science.[2] She then continued at Oregon State University earning a Ph.D. in Forest Science in 2012.[2] Hudiburg's Ph.D work centered on biofuel production from forests in the pacific northwest.[4] She measured the greenhouse gas emissions from harnessing certain biofuels.[4] This work was completed with Oregon State University professor Beverly Law.[4] Hudiburg credits some of her early interest in forestry to her love of climbing trees as a child.[5]