Jacksonville, Florida – Perry Weather, the leading weather safety platform, today announced a new collaboration with the Korey Stringer Institute (KSI) at the University of North Florida (UNF) to open a state-of-the-art heat laboratory on UNF’s campus in spring 2026.
As lead partner, Perry Weather will provide WBGT and advanced heat-monitoring instrumentation, software infrastructure, and ongoing financial and research support to power this landmark facility.
Inside the Perry Weather Heat Lab
The Perry Weather Heat Lab at UNF’s Korey Stringer Institute, housed in UNF’s Hicks Hall, will enable student and faculty research across athletic training, kinesiology, biomedical sciences, nutrition, and more. It will also serve as a testing ground for evidence-based protocols aimed at safeguarding athletes, military personnel, and outdoor laborers against exertional heat stress.
Perry Weather’s real-time environmental data platform will drive correlations between microclimate conditions and physiological responses—fueling case studies, research reports, field tests, and educational webinars that inform work-to-rest recommendations and policy advocacy.
A Milestone Partnership in Heat Safety
“We’re incredibly proud to partner with the Korey Stringer Institute and the University of North Florida to help advance the science of heat safety,” said Colin Perry, Perry Weather CEO.
“This is an important investment in the future of athlete and worker safety, supporting critical research that will shape how schools and organizations nationwide combat heat stress.”
“Through the deployment of real-time WBGT monitoring sensors and data logging platform, we’ll work side by side with KSI researchers to develop science-backed heat mitigation strategies. Our ongoing commitment includes conducting collaborative field evaluations and equipping policymakers and organizations nationwide with actionable insights that enhance performance and save lives.”
“The Korey Stringer Institute is thrilled to partner with Perry Weather and UNF to expand our reach into Florida,” said Douglas Casa, KSI’s CEO.
“Jacksonville’s year-round heat and diverse population of athletes, military members, and laborers make it an ideal location for exertional heat safety research. Perry Weather’s active engagement and technological leadership will help us refine work-to-rest protocols based on environmental conditions—optimizing productivity and safety across industries.”
Building on World-Class Expertise
Two faculty members from KSI’s original site at UConn have joined the UNF team—Dr. Michael Szymanski as Director and Assistant Professor, and Dr. Gabrielle Brewer as Associate Director and Postdoctoral Research Associate—ensuring continuity of expertise.
UNF student-athletes and interdisciplinary scholars will gain full access to the lab’s resources, supporting both academic curricula and high-impact field studies throughout Northeast Florida.
About Perry Weather
Perry Weather is a leading weather safety platform dedicated to preventing exertional heat stress and severe-weather risks for athletes and workers through integrated hardware and software.
In partnership with organizations such as the Korey Stringer Institute (KSI) and the National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS), Perry Weather helps companies, schools, districts and organizations make smarter decisions around extreme heat, lightning and other weather-related risks.
Learn more at www.perryweather.com
About Korey Stringer Institute at UNF
The Korey Stringer Institute (KSI) at the University of North Florida is the nation’s premier exertional-heat-stroke prevention center. Founded in 2010 at UConn to honor Minnesota Vikings lineman Korey Stringer, KSI blends cutting-edge research, education, and service to curb heat-related illness among athletes, soldiers, and outdoor workers.
KSI’s expertise has shaped more than 460 environmental-safety policies nationwide, including revisions at over 300 high schools—and it routinely advises major organizations such as Delta Air Lines and UPS on best-practice workplace protocols.
Learn more at www.unf.edu.
