The Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety (IBHS) has hired Steve Quarles, Ph.D., as senior scientist–hurricane/high-wind building durability and fire protection. Dr. Quarles also will occupy the South Carolina Wind and Hail Underwriting Association hazard resilience chair at the IBHS Research Center.

Dr. Quarles previously was the cooperative extension advisor at the University of California, addressing durability and in-service performance issues of wood-frame buildings. He currently serves as co-chair of the Extension Wildfire Information Network community of practice and is a member of the Society of Wood Science and Technology, the Forest Products Society, the American Society of Testing and Materials, the American Wood Protection Association, the National Fire Protection Association, and the Association of Natural Resource Extension Professionals.

Dr. Quarles earned a bachelor's degree in forestry from Virginia Tech and a master's degree and doctorate in forest products from the University of Minnesota.