Brian Sanders

Biography

Throughout his Air Force career, Dr. Sanders has served in a variety of positions that include aircraft weapon systems technician, acquisition officer, and several senior scientific positions within the Air Force Research Laboratory. His scientific background includes basic and applied research in developing new Air Force weapon system capabilities in gas turbine engines, hypersonic flight vehicles, and unmanned aerial systems (UAS).

His research in the area of adaptive structures was groundbreaking. Dr. Sanders' research and leadership led to successful demonstrations of morphing aircraft structures for future UAS. He is pioneering multi-organizational programs that bring high-quality technical information early in the acquisition timeline via qualitative decision-making tools and state-of-the-art modeling and simulation techniques.

Dr. Sanders is an internationally recognized researcher. He has published more than 70 journal articles, conference publications, and technical reports, and he is frequently an invited conference speaker. Dr. Sanders is regularly requested to initiate and lead new research efforts within the Air Force and Department of Defense. The Air Force Office of Scientific Research (AFOSR) and the Defense Advance Research Project Agency (DARPA) utilize his scientific and technical expertise to establish new research areas and to lead and advise groundbreaking technical efforts of significance to ACC.

Organizations: American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA); American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME); Vice Chair ASME Aerospace Division Executive Committee; ASME Adaptive Structures and Material Systems Technical Committee; AIAA Structures Technical Committee; Engineering Program Advisory Committee, United States Air Force Academy; Associate Editor, Journal of Intelligent Material Systems and Structures

Career: Weapon Systems Technician, 479th AGS, Holloman AFB (NM), 1980-82; Weapon Systems Crew Chief, 479th AGS, Holloman AFB (NM), 1982-83; Logistics Engineer, Strategic Systems Program Office, Wright Patterson AFB (OH), 1985-87; Logistics Engineer, Short Range Attack Missile II Program Office, Wright Patterson AFB (OH), 1987-89; Researcher, High Temperature Composite Materials Branch, Air Force Research Laboratory, Materials Directorate, Wright Patterson AFB (OH), 1992-95; Program Manager, Structural Mechanics Program, Air Force Office of Scientific Research, Washington, D.C., 1995-99; Senior Research Scientist, Air Force Research Laboratory, Air Vehicles Directorate, Wright Patterson AFB (OH), 1999-2002; Adaptive Structures Team Leader, Air Force Research Laboratory, Air Vehicles Directorate, Wright Patterson AFB (OH), 2002-08; Assistant Chief Scientist, Air Combat Command, Langley AFB (VA), 2008-13

Awards: Honor Graduate Basic Military Training; Honor Graduate Weapon Systems Technical School; Air Force Good Conduct Medal; Air Force Achievement Medal; Air Force Commendation Medal; National Defense Service Medal; Meritorious Service Medal (2); Inspector General Award for Management of SRAM II Logistics Engineering Program; Associate Fellow, American Institute of Aeronautics; Sigma Gamma Tau (National Aerospace Honor Society); Tau Beta Pi (National Engineering Honor Society)

Education

• Ph.D. - Doctor of Philosophy in Doctoral Studies: Aerospace Structures, Air Force Institute of Technology-Graduate School of Engineering & Management
• M.S. - Master of Science in Modeling and Simulation, Old Dominion University
• M.S. - Master of Science in Aerospace Engineering, University of Dayton
• B.S. - Bachelor of Science in Aerospace Engineering, University of Southern California

Currently Teaching

• ESCI 325: Engineerg Materials & Structrs
• ENGR 115: Intro to Computing for Engrs
• ENGR 101: Introduction to Engineering

Publications

1. Sanders B., Shen Y., Vincenzi D. (2020) Understanding User Interface Preferences for XR Environments When Exploring Physics and Engineering Principles. In: Ahram T. (eds) Advances in Human Factors in Wearable Technologies and Game Design. AHFE 2019. Advances in Intelligent Systems and Computing, vol 973. Springer, Cham
2. Sanders B., Vincenzi D., Holley S., Shen Y. (2019) Traditional Vs Gesture Based UAV Control. In: Chen J. (eds) Advances in Human Factors in Robots and Unmanned Systems. AHFE 2018. Advances in Intelligent Systems and Computing, vol 784. Springer, Cham
3. Sanders B., Vincenzi D., Shen Y. (2018) Investigation of Gesture Based UAV Control. In: Chen J. (eds) Advances in Human Factors in Robots and Unmanned Systems. AHFE 2017. Advances in Intelligent Systems and Computing, vol 595. Springer, Cham https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-60384-1_20
4. Sanders B., Vincenzi D., Shen Y. (2017) Scale and Spatial Resolution Guidelines for the Design of Virtual Engineering Laboratories. In: Kantola J., Barath T., Nazir S., Andre T. (eds) Advances in Human Factors, Business Management, Training and Education. Advances in Intelligent Systems and Computing, vol 498. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-42070-7_34
   
5. Sanders, B, Vincenzi, D., Fuller, C., Shen, Y. “Exploration of Interactive and Educational Virtual Engineering Laboratories”, Paper number 16270, Interservice/Industry Training, Simulation, and Education Conference (I/ITSEC) 2016, Orlando Fla.

6. Sanders, B, Shuttleworth, D, Deuro, J and Padilla, J.J. “Learning Discrete Event Simulation Design Methodology via Interactive and Collaborative Projects,  Paper number 47, 2016 Spring Simulation Multi-Conference, April 3-6, 2016, Pasadena, CA..

Memberships and Credentials

·       Associate Fellow-American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics

·       Tau Beta Pi - Engineering Honor Society

·       Sigma Gamma Tau - Aerospace Engineering Honor Society

·       American Society of Engineering Education

Awards, Honors and Recognitions

·       2018 Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University Worldwide Latitude Award – Models of Growth – Given to the Department of Engineering and Technology

·       2016 Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University Worldwide Latitude Award – Outstanding Accomplishments in Research