Laura Hasburgh, Ph.D., P.E.

Current Research

As a building material, wood is limited in use because it is combustible. However, with the development of engineered wood products and benefits of building with wood, the market for wood structures is increasing. However, the fire performance of new products and the effects on fire growth need to be understood the products can be safely implemented in the building codes. The assessment and prediction of fire hazards and risks; mitigation of fire damage by proper design; and the research, development, and testing of wood-based materials for the built environment directly affects life safety of US citizens. Our current reseach focuses on the development of test methods for obtaining thermophysical properties, evaluating the physical and chemical reactions among the structural wood polymers that occur during pyrolysis, and evaluation of wood properties under non-standard fire scenaios for use in physical mathmatical modeling and performance-based design fire protection engineering.

Research Interest

• Thermochemical changes and charring behavior in wood
• Fire growth research as applied to wood products
• Wildland-urban interface and wood building products

Education

• University of Wisconsin - Madison, Doctor Of Philosophy Materials Science and Engineering , 2020
• University of Wisconsin - Madison, Masters Of Science Materials Science and Engineering , 2017
• University of Maryland - College Park, Masters Of Engineering Fire Protection Engineering , 2010
• Milwaukee School of Engineering, Bachelor Of Science Architectural Engineering , 2005

Professional Organizations

• ASTM International, Voting Member Committee E05 on Fire Standards Subcommittee Chair for E05.33 Fire Safety Engineering (2020 - current) and voting member on the following subcommittees: E05.11, E05.14, E05.21, E05.22, E0523, E05.32, E05.33, E05.40, E05.41, E05.42, and E05.43 (2013 - current) (2013 - Current)
• Society of Fire Protection Engineers, Member Committee member for the Standing Committee for Professional Qualifications and the committee on Research, Tools & Methods (RTM): Design Fire Scenarios (2008 - Current)

Awards

• MSOE Alumni Achievement Award, 2020 Presented by the MSOE Alumni Association board of directors, this award honors graduates of MSOE who have shown outstanding professional accomplishments in their fields while demonstrating public service and leadership.
• George G. Marra Award, 2019 For excellence in writing and research, presented by the Society of Wood Science and Technology.
• SFPE's Margaret Law Award, 2019 Presented by the Society of Fire Protection Engineers, this award recognizes individuals who have pioneered advancements associated with engineering fire safety of the built environment.
• Turnbull Service Award, 2019 Awarded by UW Madison’s Materials Science and Engineering department to honor an exemplary graduate student who has made notable contributions to public service.
• World Conference on Timber Engineering Young Scientist Award, 2018 This award is for graduate students who are the original author of the full paper who show high quality research in their field of study. Awardees are selected based on evidence of excellent research and contribution in the field of timber engineering.
• ASTM Emerging Professional, 2017 Identified by ASTM as a new member who has demonstrated the potential to be an industry and/or committee leader.
• Robert E. Dougherty Educational Foundation Scholarship, 2016 The Robert E. Dougherty Educational Foundation is a not-for-profit foundation whose sole mission is to provide financial assistance to students studying in the field of composite panel materials and affiliated industries.
• Greater Madison Federal Agency Association Partnership Award, 2014 Recognized for outstanding partnership/teamwork as part of the fire safety research team at FPL.