Denise L. Smith is the Division Director for the National Research and Data Division at the U.S. Fire Administration where she oversees the development and dissemination of critical research and data that will underpin the next generation of fire safety protocols and innovation. She previously served as the Professor of Exercise Science at Skidmore College in Saratoga Springs, NY and a Research Scientist at the University of Illinois Fire Service Institute. Dr. Smith earned her doctorate in kinesiology with a specialization in exercise physiology from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign in 1990. Her research is focused on the physiological effects of firefighting, particularly the cardiovascular strain associated with the combination of heavy physical work, heat stress, and the psychological stress that firefighters routinely encounter. Furthermore, she often shares the findings of her research in Fire Service journals such as Fire Engineering, Fire Chief, and Advanced Rescue Technology. Dr. Smith is a frequently invited speaker and regularly presents her research and applications of her research at national and state-level Fire Service conferences.