Academic Credentials
  • Ph.D., Fire Protection Engineering, Worcester Polytechnic Institute, 2025
  • M.S., Fire Protection Engineering, Worcester Polytechnic Institute, 2022
  • B.S., Chemical Engineering, Worcester Polytechnic Institute, 2020
Professional Honors
  • Best Student Presentation, International Seminar on Fire and Explosive Safety (2025)
  • WPI-NFPA Graduate Fellowship (2025)
  • Best Paper, NFPA Suppression and Detection Conference (2024)
  • Crimson and Grey Award (for Outstanding Leadership), Worcester Polytechnic Institute (2023)
  • Best Student Presentation, International Seminar on Fire and Explosive Safety (2022)
Professional Affiliations
  • Society of Fire Protection Engineers

Jon Zimak is an Associate in Exponent's Thermal Science Practice specializing in Fire Protection with multidisciplinary expertise in fire protection, mechanical, and chemical engineering. Dr. Zimak has conducted extensive research work with large- and medium-scale experimentation, fire suppression systems, clean agent systems, and standardized fire testing. Dr. Zimak investigates and analyzes residential, commercial, and industrial fires and explosions and has experience evaluating the compliance of a myriad of products, materials, processes and systems according to national and international codes and standards including NFPA, ICC, EN, ISO, ANSI, OSHA, FM, and UL.

During his industry sponsored Ph.D. work in the Department of Fire Protection Engineering at Worcester Polytechnic institute, Dr. Zimak developed standardized testing to certify inert gas discharge systems and their components though over 200 large-scale experiments. He focused on how standardized testing translates to real world system performance. Through this work, Dr. Zimak analyzed, scaled, and developed multiple representative- and real-world- fire threats for suppression testing. His work led to developments in the fields of fire suppression, fire scaling, material burning rates, and reignition.

In addition to his inert gas research, Dr. Zimak has experience in leading multinational field-scale experimental campaigns, fire testing of intact battery electric vehicles, and wildfire litigation. He is also an actively serving engineering officer in the Massachusetts Army National Guard.