Julie Bryant First Recipient of Newly Established UL Fellowship

Julie Bryant, a graduate student in the University of Maryland (UMD) Department of Fire Protection Engineering (FPE), is the first recipient of the UL Fellowship with UL's Fire Safety Research Institute (FSRI), established for the 2017/2018 academic year. This fund supports a FPE graduate research assistant and will be renewed each semester provided the Fellow remains in good academic standing. UL’s FRSI researches fire dynamics in contemporary environments to ensure victim and firefighter survival and safety. Bryant’s research topic, currently under development, will fall within this scope.

Bryant, a Maryland native, was groomed from a young age for the fire safety field.

“When I decided to attend UMD to complete my undergrad degree in engineering, my father suggested the Fire Protection Engineering program, as it is the only accredited undergraduate program in the county,” Bryant said. “He put me in touch with William Koffel (of Koffel Assoicates), who taught me about the consulting field and invited me to attend a guest lecture he was giving in ENFP101.”

Bryant’s decision to continue with FPE was solidified at the engineering orientation, during which she met Nicole Hollywood, FPE's Assistant Director of Student Services. Hollywood’s “show of support and kindness embodies the Department’s sense of community,” Bryant emphasized.

After joining the Department, Bryant interned at Aon Fire Protection Engineering and the Society of Fire Protection Engineers. On campus, Bryant was a member of Salamander, FPE’s honor society; the Mortar Board National Honor Society, and Tau Sigma. Currently, she is a volunteer EMT and firefighter for Prince George’s County.

When Bryant was offered the opportunity to teach the FPE High School Program, (Introduction to Math and Physics through Fire Dynamics course), she wasted no time in accepting.

“I had been a teaching fellow for the freshmen ENFP 101 course for three semesters during undergrad, so this new opportunity seemed like a natural progression,” Bryant said. “I absolutely loved watching the students grow and apply concepts taught in the lecture to the laboratory. I’m excited to facilitate a similar experience to a younger group of students.”

Bryant continued, “I would like to thank the FPE Department and UL’s FSRI for establishing the fellowship, and give a special thank you to Dr. Milke and Stephen Kerber for selecting me as the first recipient,” said Bryant. “I’m honored and excited to work with both departments.”

Follow this link to learn more about the UL Fellowship.

Published September 12, 2017