The SFPE Foundation has announced the selection of Amy Metz, a PhD student at Oregon State University, as the inaugural recipient of the 2024-2025 Grand Challenges Initiative (GCI) Applied Research Fellowship in Climate Change (WUI Fires).
Metz’s project, titled “Predicting VOC Contamination in Water Distribution Systems Following Wildfire,” addresses the emerging challenge of contamination during wildland-urban interface (WUI) fires.
As reported by the SFPE Foundation, the fellowship was established to provide $30,000 USD in funding for research on emerging fire safety topics, and the fellowship includes industry mentorship through a partnership with Jensen Hughes.
Metz’s research will focus on understanding and mitigating volatile organic compound (VOC) contamination in water systems affected by wildfire.
Metz expressed gratitude for the opportunity, saying: “I am honored and grateful to have been chosen to receive the SFPE Foundation’s GCI Applied Research Fellowship in Climate Change with a focus on WUI fires which facilitates collaboration with Jensen Hughes.”
She highlighted that the fellowship will allow her to advance her work on enhancing water distribution system resilience and help communities address the growing concern of VOC contamination.
Leslie Marshall, PhD, Director of the SFPE Foundation, emphasized the importance of the fellowship, stating: “Her innovative project on predicting volatile organic compound contamination in water systems during wildland-urban interface fires addresses a critical and emerging challenge in fire safety.”
The GCI Applied Research Fellowship offers an opportunity for doctoral and post-doctoral researchers to collaborate with host organizations that provide mentorship.
Findings from the fellowship research are shared through SFPE-affiliated outlets and broader networks, including industry conferences and events.
Derek White, Chief Technical Officer at Jensen Hughes, expressed support for the fellowship, noting: “This fellowship recognizes Amy’s potential to significantly impact community resilience through her innovative research.
“Her work will play a crucial role in enhancing decision-making and planning for WUI fire management.”
The Grand Challenges Initiative is part of a larger effort by the SFPE Foundation to promote multidisciplinary collaboration in fire engineering research.
The GCI Applied Research Fellowship is funded by various partners, including SFPE, Fire Safety Research Institute/UL Research Institutes, and Jensen Hughes.
In addition to the GCI Fellowship, the SFPE Foundation funds research projects through donations from members, companies, and government agencies.
The foundation periodically issues open calls for research proposals to address critical fire safety challenges.
The SFPE Foundation has announced the awarding of the 2024-2025 GCI Applied Research Fellowship in Climate Change (WUI Fires) to Amy Metz, a PhD student at Oregon State University.
Metz’s research focuses on predicting volatile organic compound (VOC) contamination in water distribution systems following wildland-urban interface (WUI) fires.
The fellowship provides $30,000 USD in funding and includes industry mentorship through a collaboration with Jensen Hughes.
The Grand Challenges Initiative, led by the SFPE Foundation, supports multidisciplinary research on emerging fire safety issues and receives financial backing from a range of corporate and academic partners.
