Peter B. Sunderland

Peter B. Sunderland is a Professor and Director of Undergraduate Studies in the Department of Fire Protection Engineering at the University of Maryland, College Park. He also holds affiliate roles in Mechanical Engineering and Aerospace Engineering, and is a Keystone Professor in the College of Engineering. His research focuses on fire dynamics, combustion physics, and microgravity flame behavior, with applications in fire safety, thermal protection systems, and aerospace engineering.

• Education: Ph.D. (Aerospace Engineering, University of Michigan, 1995), M.S. (Mechanical Engineering, University of Massachusetts, 1986), B.S. (Mechanical Engineering, Cornell University, 1983)
• Affiliations: Center for Risk and Reliability, Robert E. Fischell Institute for Biomedical Devices
• Notable Projects: ISS-based flame studies, flammable refrigerant safety, and wildfire ember ignition analysis

His research interests include soot formation and oxidation, flame quenching mechanisms, and the combustion behavior of gaseous and condensed fuels under varied conditions (e.g., microgravity, pressure extremes). Sunderland has pioneered the use of porous burners to emulate condensed fuel burning and has contributed to advancements in firebrand ignition modeling and thermal sensor technology.

Awards include the 2021 Fellowship of the Combustion Institute and the 2020 Philip Merrill Presidential Scholars Faculty Mentor Award. His work has been supported by NASA, NSF, and industry partners like Underwriters Laboratories.

Teaching responsibilities include courses on fire dynamics, fire protection fluid mechanics, and professional development in engineering. His research has led to over 100 peer-reviewed articles and collaborations with international space agencies and fire safety organizations.