WARP Group research spans protective equipment design, clothing comfort physiology, medical textiles, and material durability. Through federally funded projects and industry collaboration, we advance textile science and improve safety across multiple industries.
Dr. McQuerry has received $2 million in federal funding from the Federal Emergency Management Association (FEMA) to investigate the design, comfort, and mobility issues for female firefighters and most recently, to develop the first set of female gear designed with U.S. female firefighter anthropometrics. This work has led to numerous publications, magazine articles, conference presentations, webinars, and podcasts. Check them out below!
PBS NOVA DOCUMENTARY:
Academic Publications:
- Qiu, Z., Bolaji, J., McQuerry, M., & Kwon, C. (Invited; 2025). Assessing standard sizing chart effectiveness for U.S. female wildland firefighters: a contingency table analysis. Fire. 8(7), 270, DOI: 10.3390/fire8070270 https://www.mdpi.com/2571-6255/8/7/270
- Bolaji, J., Qiu, Z., McQuerry, M., & Kwon, C. (2025). U.S. female firefighter anthropometric versus wildland firefighting protective clothing sizing standards. International Journal of Occupational Safety and Ergonomics, 1-13, DOI: 10.1080/10803548.2025.2492947
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40366715/ - Bolaji, J., Qiu, Z., McQuerry, M., & Kwon, C. (2025). A comparative anthropometric analysis of U.S. female firefighters versus the general female population. Journal of Safety Research, 93, 206-213, DOI: 10.1016/j.jsr.2025.02.021 https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0022437525000428
- McQuerry, M., Kwon, C., & Poley-Bogan, M.* (Invited; 2023). Female firefighters’ increased risk of occupational exposure due to ill-fitting personal protective clothing. Frontiers in Materials Polymeric and Composite Materials; Special Issue: Challenges and Emerging Issues on Firefighter’s Toxic Chemical Exposure: Smoke Chemicals, Contaminated PPE, and Off-gassing. 10, 1-10, DOI: 10.3389/fmats.2023.1175559 https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/materials/articles/10.3389/fmats.2023.1175559/full
- McQuerry, M., Kwon, C, & Johnson, H**. (2019). A critical review of female firefighter protective clothing and equipment workplace challenges. Research Journal of Textile and Apparel, 23(2), 94-110, DOI: 10.1108/RJTA-01-2019-0002 https://www.emerald.com/insight/content/doi/10.1108/rjta-01-2019-0002/full/html
- McQuerry, M. (2020). Effect of structural turnout suit fit on female versus male firefighter range of motion. Applied Ergonomics, 82, DOI: 10.1016/j.apergo.2019.102974 https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31606711/
Trade Articles:
- McQuerry, M., Kwon, C., Qiu, Z., & Bolaji, J. (2025). The Silent Hazard: Why Female Firefighting PPE Isn’t a Luxury. It’s a Lifeline. Cracykyl Magazine. Special Issue: Women in Fire.
- Bolaji, J., Qiu, Z., McQuerry, M., & Kwon, C. (2025). Sizing up the gear: Lessons learned about female firefighter PPE fit. Fire Engineering/Firefighter Nation.
- McQuerry, M. & Kwon, C. (2023). Personal protective clothing inequities for female structural and wildland firefighters. Fire Engineering PPE Supplement. p16-17.
Webinars & Podcasts::
- NFPA Webinar: https://www.nfpa.org/videos/female-firefighter-personal-protective-clothing-investigation-of-design-comfort-and-mobility-issues
- Fire Engineering Fit for Her Webinar: https://www.fireengineering.com/webcast/fit-for-her-innovating-turnout-gear-for-female-firefighters-safety-and-performance/
- Humanetics Future of Fit Webinar: https://landingpage.humaneticsgroup.com/fofs3e3
- Fire Rescue Wellness Podcast: https://www.firerescuewellness.org/podcast/episode-65-the-s-doesnt-fit-with-meredith-mcquerry-phd-and-cassandra-kwon-phd?rq=mcquerry
ACHIEVEMENT SPOTLIGHT ARTICLES
- https://news.fsu.edu/news/business-law-policy/2025/10/16/jim-moran-college-of-entrepreneurship-professor-recognized-as-part-of-influential-women-series/
- https://www.wjhl.com/business/press-releases/ein-presswire/856866351/meredith-laine-mcquerry-phd-recognized-for-innovation-in-protective-apparel-featured-in-influential-women/
From heat stress in the construction industry to thermal protection in racing suits, numerous research projects are ongoing and have been published utilizing ANDI in the ThermaNOLE Comfort Lab®, many of which have been independently conceptualized and led by undergraduate and graduate students, supported by external funding organizations such as AATCC, ASTM, and the ACC.
Publications
- Zong, W.*, Elangovan, T.*, McQuerry, M., Poley-Bogan, M.*, Simonson, N.*, Park, H. (2025). Sustainable survival jacket design for the homeless population. International Journal of Fashion Design, Technology and Education, 1-11, DOI: 10.1080/17543266.2025.2480784
https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/17543266.2025.2480784 - Riedy, R.*, Maya, I.**, & McQuerry, M. (2024). Analysis of physiological effects of compression gear on American college and pro-level football athletes. AATCC Journal of Research, 11(6), 433-444, DOI: 10.1177/24723444241276000
https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10.1177/247234442412 76000 - Riedy, R.* & McQuerry, M. (2023). Thermal comfort analysis of auto-racing suits using a sweating thermal manikin. Journal of Industrial Textiles, 53, 1-16, DOI: 10.1177/15280837221150649 https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10.1177/15280837221150649
- McQuerry, M. & Grzywacz, J.G. (2023). Thermal comfort assessment of active cooling technology for agricultural end use: a field study. Journal of Textile Engineering & Fashion Technology, 9(1), 14-19, DOI: 10.15406/jteft.2023.09.00327 https://medcraveonline.com/JTEFT/thermal-comfort-assessment-of-active-cooling-technology-for-agricultural-end-use-a-field-study.html
-
McQuerry, M. & Hogans, K.* (2018). Assessment of ventilated athletic uniforms for improved thermal comfort. AATCC Journal of Research, 5(5), 1-8, DOI: 10.14504/ajr.5.5.1 https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10.14504/ajr.5.5.1
NEWS ARTICLES
Multiple industry-funded projects have led to the development of two full-scale market-ready prototypes for improved ergonomic performance and reduced heat stress. Similar work is ongoing related to improved protection for female firefighters. Dr. McQuerry and her lab stay ready to assist industry with current PPE problems and provide market-ready, NFPA-compliant solutions.
Publications:
- Bolaji, J. & McQuerry, M. (2024). Impact of self-contained breathing apparatus on air gaps in structural firefighting personal protective clothing. Applied Sciences. Special Issue: Innovative Functional Textiles and Their Applications, 15(6), 1- 11, DOI: 10.3390/app15010006
https://www.mdpi.com/2076- 3417/15/1/6 - Boisvert, R., McQuerry, M., & Schofield, S. (2024). Relationship between firefighter protective clothing design ease and heat stress. International Journal of Clothing Science and Technology, 36(5), 836-848, DOI: 10.1108/IJCST-11-2023-0160 https://www.emerald.com/insight/content/doi/10.1108/ijcst- 11-2023-0160/full/html
- McQuerry, M. & Schofield, S. (Invited; 2023). Structural firefighter personal protective clothing user needs in the US: a mobility perspective. Emergency Management Science and Technology. 3(15), 1-9, DOI: 10.48130/EMST-2023-0015 https://www.maxapress.com/article/doi/10.48130/EMST-2023-0015
- McQuerry, M. & Easter, E. (2022). Wildland firefighting personal protective clothing cleaning practices in the United States. Fire Technology, 58(3), 1667-1688, DOI: 10.1007/s10694-021-01212-z https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10694-021-01212-z
- McQuerry, M., Morrissey, M.*, Kisiolek, J.*, Gipson, S.*, & Ormsbee, M. (2020). Effect of a lightweight structural firefighter turnout composite on physiological comfort. Performance of Protective Clothing and Equipment: 11th Volume, Innovative Solutions to Evolving Challenges, ASTM STP1624, pp.176-203, DOI:10.1520/STP162420190083 https://compass.astm.org/document/?contentCode=ASTM%7CSTP162420190083%7Cen-US&proxycl=https%3A%2F%2Fsecure.astm.org&fromLogin=true
- McQuerry, M. (2020). A survey of structural firefighter station wear in the United States. Fire Technology, 56(3), 1287-1313, DOI: 10.1007/s10694-019-00930-9 https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10694-019-00930-9
DIGITAL ARTICLES
Externally funded research projects on medical gowns and novel, zinc-ion masks for COVID-19 prevention were conducted in the Textile Testing Lab and ThermaNOLE Comfort Lab®. Dr. McQuerry’s work in this area has been recognized by the National Academy of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine.
Publications:
- National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. 2024. Reusable Health Care Textiles for Use in Personal Protective Equipment: Proceedings of a Workshop. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. https://doi.org/10.17226/27762.
https://nap.nationalacademies.org/catalog/27762/reusable- health-care-textiles-for-use-in-personal-protective-equipment - McQuerry, M. & Dodson, A. (2024). An antimicrobial zinc ion fiber for COVID-19 prevention in nonwoven face coverings for healthcare settings. Journal of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene, 21(4), 239-246, DOI: 10.1080/15459624.2024.2310675 https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38437682/
- McQuerry, M., Easter, E., & Cao, A.** (2021). Disposable versus reusable medical gowns: a performance comparison. American Journal of Infection Control, 49(5), 563-570, DOI: 10.1016/j.ajic.2020.10.013 https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7572274/
This government funded research assessed a proprietary heated wearable technology system for its efficacy in subzero environments when worn alongside various cold weather uniforms. Multiple DOD technical reports were published with presentations and scientific articles forthcoming.
Technical Reports:
- Xu, X., McQuerry, M., Poley-Bogan, M., Jacques, J., Rioux, T., Gonzalez, J., & Hoyt, R. (2023). Evaluation of three cold weather ensembles with a heated base layer at -20°C using a thermal manikin with dynamic heat flux sensors. U.S. Army Research Institute of Environmental Medicine (USARIEM) Technical Report T23-009
https://discover.dtic.mil/ - Xu, X., McQuerry, M., Poley-Bogan, M., Rioux, T., Gonzalez, J., & Hoyt, R. (2023). Thermal properties of three cold weather ensembles and an unpowered heated base layer ensemble. U.S. Army Research Institute of Environmental Medicine (USARIEM) Technical Report T23-004
https://discover.dtic.mil/
Useful life and laundering durability play a large role in garment sustainability. Cutting-edge R&D technologies must also be vetted not only for their primary performance, but secondary longevity and consumer satisfaction. This area of research assesses how materials and garments perform over time and meet the functional and aesthetic requirements of the end user.
Publications:
- Riedy, R.* & McQuerry, M. (2021). Serviceability assessment of a printed finish on t-shirts. AATCC Journal of Research, 8(2), 48-53, DOI: 10.14504/ajr.8.2.6
https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10.14504/ajr.8.2.6 - Riedy, R.* & McQuerry, M. (2020). Development of a phase change material (PCM) measurement methodology for fabric surface quantification. Journal of Textile and Apparel, Technology and Management, 11(4), 1-11. https://jtatm.textiles.ncsu.edu/index.php/JTATM/article/view/1 7535
- McQuerry, M., Klausing, S., Cotterill, D., & Easter, E. (2015). A post-use evaluation of turnout gear using NFPA 1971 standard on protective ensembles for structural fire fighting and NFPA 1851 on selection, care and maintenance. Fire Technology, 51(5), 1149-1166, DOI: 10.1007/s10694-014-0446-x. https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10694-014-0446-x