James Milke, PhD

Dr. James A. Milke is a Professor in the Department of Fire Protection Engineering at the University of Maryland, College Park, where he has been a faculty member since 1977. He served as Department Chair from 2011 to 2023. Dr. Milke's educational background is extensive, including a Ph.D. in Aerospace Engineering (UMD, 1991), M.S. in Mechanical Engineering (UMD, 1981), B.S. in Fire Protection Engineering (UMD, 1976), and B.S. in Physics (Ursinus College, 1974). His expertise focuses on smoke management, fire detection, and analyzing material responses to fire conditions. Dr. Milke is a Fellow and past President of the Society of Fire Protection Engineers (SFPE) and has held key positions in various professional organizations. He has received numerous awards for his contributions to the field, including multiple Harry C. Bigglestone Awards for best papers in Fire Technology. At UMD, Dr. Milke teaches courses on fire protection engineering and offers a Coursera course titled "The Effect of Fires on People, Property and the Environment," which provides a comprehensive overview of fire safety challenges and solutions. His research and teaching have significantly advanced the field of fire protection engineering, making him a leading authority in the discipline.