Jaap De Vries, Ph.D.
About Jaap De Vries, Ph.D.
Jaap De Vries, Ph.D., is a Staff Vice President and Principal Innovation Specialist at FM Global, and an Adjunct Professor at Brown University School of Engineering.
Company
Jaap De Vries, Ph.D., is currently employed at FM Global where he serves as the Staff Vice President and Principal Innovation Specialist. He has been with the organization in different capacities over the years, including Vice President, Innovation Science and Technology. In his current role, he focuses on exploring and developing generative AI use cases among other responsibilities related to innovation and technology.
Title
Jaap De Vries holds the title of Staff Vice President, Principal Innovation Specialist at FM Global. In this role, he is responsible for leading innovation initiatives and developing advanced technological solutions within the company. His work includes developing virtual reality experiences for fire protection training and holding patents related to smart fire protection.
Education and Expertise
Jaap De Vries achieved a Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering from Texas A&M University and another Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Central Florida. He also holds a Master’s Degree in Aerospace, Aeronautical and Astronautical Engineering from the University of Central Florida and a Bachelor's degree in Vliegtuig Operatie (Aeronautical Operations) from Amsterdam University of Applied Sciences. His areas of expertise include innovation science, technology development, and generative AI.
Background
Jaap De Vries has a diverse professional background, having worked in various roles and industries. He began his career as a Social Worker at Leger des Heils in the Netherlands and later transitioned to academia and research. He has held positions as a Visiting Researcher at Rolls-Royce and the University of Duisburg-Essen, as well as a Research Assistant at Texas A&M University. His professional journey also includes roles such as Lead Research Scientist and Senior Research Scientist at FM Global.
Achievements
Jaap De Vries has developed virtual reality experiences to enhance fire protection training and holds two patents related to smart fire protection. He mentors startups through RIHub’s Venture Mentoring Services, using the MIT Model for mentorship, and collaborates with startups to create structural digital twins for large-asset monitoring. Additionally, he serves on the Science and Technology Advisory Council, advising Rhode Island state leadership on innovation and entrepreneurship programs and policies.