Richard GannDr. Richard G, Gann recently retired from the National Institute of Standards and Technology. He led and conducted research into nearly all aspects of fire science for 40 years, notably leading to decreases in the fatalities from cigarette-initiated ires and the severity of bed fires. His leadership of the Department of Defense's Next Generation Fire Suppression Technology Program was credited with revitalizing the field of fire suppression science. He was the editor/author of the Government's final reports reconstructing the World Trade Center disaster on September 11, 2001. His awards include two Gold Medals from the U.S. Department of Commerce, the Ingberg Award from ASTM International, the Sjolin Award from the FORUM of International Fire Research Directors, and the Interflam Award. In 2011, he was recognized with the (U.S.) Presidential Rank of Distinguished Senior Professional, the highest commendation afforded to Federal employees. Dr. Gann is active in transferring research findings into practice through fire safety standards, including chairing the subcommittee on fire threat to people and the environment within the International Standards Organization and the NFPA Toxicity Technical Advisory Committee. Dr. Gann earned a B.S. degree in chemistry from Trinity College (Connecticut) and a Ph.D. in physical chemistry from M.I.T. He has served on the Editorial Boards of Fire and Materials, Combustion and Flame, and Fire Technology. Read More Read Less