WPI Experts

Devastating wildfires including those in the Los Angeles area have demonstrated the need for research into wind-driven fires with an eye toward understanding how they spread and to defend people and communities.

At WPI, faculty in our Department of Fire Protection Engineering are experts on wildfire behavior and conduct research with our students, industry professionals, and other academic institutions to seek greater knowledge about wildfires, new fire detection methods, ways to improve first responder safety, and better wildfire suppression systems.

As home to the nation’s first master’s program in fire protection engineering and one of two universities in the National Science Foundation’s Wildfire Interdisciplinary Research Center, WPI has renowned wildfire experts who can comment on their research and the factors influencing fires.

The National Academy of Inventors (NAI), an esteemed organization dedicated to recognizing and honoring academic innovation, has named Worcester Polytechnic Institute President Grace J. Wang, as an NAI Fellow. This distinction, the highest professional honor awarded exclusively to academic inventors, highlights President Wang’s exceptional contributions to pioneering research and innovation.