HOT SPRINGS, SOUTH DAKOTA, FEBRUARY 9, 2007

The International Association of Wildland Fire is pleased to announce that it has awarded two scholarships to students in Canada and Australia. These scholarships, each worth $2,500 USD, are designated for Master of Science or PhD. students studying wildland fire or wildland fire-related topics.

Sean T. Michaletz, a PhD. student at the University of Calgary in Canada, received one of the scholarships. Sean has developed models for deciduous and coniferous mortality following low intensity fires, and has also worked with crown scorch models. His PhD. research will concentrate on combining some of his individual tree models into stand and landscape level models.

Andrew Sullivan, a PhD. student at the Australian National University in Canberra, Australia, received the other scholarship. Andrew has been working on the development of fire spread simulation software, was co-author of a book on grass fire behavior and management, and conducted field experiments in Australian forests. His PhD. research focuses on the role of the competitive thermokinetics of cellulose thermal decomposition and combustion in patterns of bushfire spread.

We received many excellent applications from students that are engaged in first class research. The selection panel had a difficult task selecting only two scholarship recipients. The IAWF is exploring ways to expand the scholarship program in 2008 to also include students enrolled in undergraduate wildland fire programs. We expect to make an announcement about how to apply for the next round of scholarships in the third quarter of 2007.

More information, including photos of the two individuals, can be found on our Scholarships page.