Albert Simeoni

Albert Simeoni
Nationality	French
Alma mater	University of Corsica (BSc 1994; PhD 2000) Polytech Marseille (MEng 1996)
Known for	Experimental and numerical modelling of wildland and wildland-urban-interface fires
Awards	Arthur B. Guise Medal (2022)
Scientific career
Fields	Fire safety science; wildland-fire dynamics
Institutions	University of Corsica (2000–2013) University of Edinburgh (2013–2015) Worcester Polytechnic Institute (2017–present)

Albert Simeoni is a French fire-safety engineer and academic whose research explores the behaviour of wildland and wildland-urban-interface fires. He is Professor and Head of the Department of Fire Protection Engineering at Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI) in Massachusetts, United States. ^{[1] [2]}

Early life and education

Simeoni read physics at the University of Corsica, graduating with a Licence (BSc) in 1994. ^[1] He completed an MEng in thermal transfers at Polytech Marseille in 1996 before returning to Corsica for doctoral work. His PhD thesis (2000) developed multiphase models to improve predictions of forest-fire spread. ^[3]

Career

After earning his doctorate, Simeoni was appointed maître de conférences (assistant professor) at the University of Corsica, where he led a CNRS-affiliated research group on forest-fire modelling. ^[4]

In 2013 he moved to the United Kingdom to take up the BRE Chair of Fire Safety Engineering at the University of Edinburgh, a post he held until 2015. ^{[5] [6]} Simeoni joined WPI in 2017 and became department head the same year. ^[1] Beyond the university sector he serves as Treasurer (board member since 2014) of the International Association of Wildland Fire (IAWF). ^[7]

Simeoni’s work combines laboratory and field experiments with computational fluid-dynamics models to examine flame spread, firebrand generation and coupled fire–atmosphere interactions. His recent projects include establishing a National Science Foundation Wildfire Interdisciplinary Research Center at WPI and developing physics-based tools for assessing extreme fire behaviour. ^[8]

Honours

• Arthur B. Guise Medal of the Society of Fire Protection Engineers (2022), recognising his “eminent achievement in connecting wildland-fire science with fire-protection practice”. ^[9]

Selected publications

• Santoni, P.A.; Simeoni, A.; et al. “Instrumentation of wildland fire: characterisation of a fire spreading through a Mediterranean shrub”, Fire Safety Journal41 (3): 171–184 (2006). ^[10]
• Thomas, J.C.; Simeoni, A.; et al. “Investigation of firebrand generation from an experimental fire: development of a reliable data-collection methodology”, Fire Safety Journal91 : 864–871 (2017). ^[11]
• Mueller, E.; Mell, W.; Simeoni, A. “Large-eddy simulation of forest-canopy flow for wildland-fire modelling”, Canadian Journal of Forest Research44 (12): 1534–1544 (2014). ^[12]

References

1. "Albert Simeoni – Faculty profile". Worcester Polytechnic Institute. Retrieved 27 July 2025.
2. "A look inside a lab studying fire in Worcester". www.wbur.org. 2025-02-27. Retrieved 2025-07-27.
3. "Albert Simeoni – Assistant Professor profile" (PDF). Joint Research Centre, European Commission. 2009. p. 7. Retrieved 27 July 2025.
4. "Recent forest-fire related accidents in Europe – Author biographies" (PDF). Joint Research Centre. 2009. p. 7. Retrieved 27 July 2025.
5. "Fire Safety Engineering at Edinburgh – History". University of Edinburgh. Retrieved 27 July 2025.
6. "BRE Research Chair of Fire Safety Engineering: Albert Simeoni | Staff news". The University of Edinburgh. 2024-11-12. Retrieved 2025-07-27.
7. "Albert Simeoni – IAWF Board profile". International Association of Wildland Fire. Retrieved 27 July 2025.
8. "Albert Simeoni – Media expert biography". Worcester Polytechnic Institute. Retrieved 27 July 2025.
9. "Albert Simeoni, Fire Protection Engineering Department Head, Receives Prestigious International Research Award". Worcester Polytechnic Institute. 4 August 2022. Retrieved 27 July 2025.
10. Santoni, P. A.; Simeoni, A.; Rossi, J. L.; Bosseur, F.; Morandini, F.; Silvani, X.; Balbi, J. H.; Cancellieri, D.; Rossi, L. (2006-04-01). "Instrumentation of wildland fire: Characterisation of a fire spreading through a Mediterranean shrub". Fire Safety Journal. 41 (3): 171–184. doi:10.1016/j.firesaf.2005.11.010. ISSN   0379-7112.
11. Thomas, Jan C.; Mueller, Eric V.; Santamaria, Simon; Gallagher, Michael; El Houssami, Mohamad; Filkov, Alexander; Clark, Kenneth; Skowronski, Nicholas; Hadden, Rory M.; Mell, William; Simeoni, Albert (2017-07-01). "Investigation of firebrand generation from an experimental fire: Development of a reliable data collection methodology". Fire Safety Journal. Fire Safety Science: Proceedings of the 12th International Symposium. 91: 864–871. doi:10.1016/j.firesaf.2017.04.002. ISSN   0379-7112.
12. Mueller, Eric; Mell, William; Simeoni, Albert (2014). "Large eddy simulation of forest canopy flow for wildland fire modeling". Canadian Journal of Forest Research. 44: 1534–1544. doi:10.1139/cjfr-2014-0184.