AFRL researcher earns 2013 Top Ten African American Male honor Published Jan. 22, 2014 By Holly Jordan Aerospace Systems Directorate WRIGHT-PATTERSON AFB, Ohio -- Dr. Darius Sanders was recently named a recipient of the Parity, Inc., Top Ten African American Male Award for 2013. This award is conferred annually to Dayton area African American men who demonstrate strong leadership characteristics and a spirit of volunteerism. Sanders is an aerospace engineer in the AFRL Aerospace Systems Directorate, where he provides of Computational Fluid Dynamics expertise and analysis for several fan/compressor research programs, including the Turbine Engine Division's Inlet-Fan Interaction High Impact Technology Program. In addition, Sanders serves as the Air Force Integrated Product Team Lead for the fan module of the Pratt & Whitney Adaptive Engine Technology Demonstrator Program. In addition to his professional roles, Sanders also gives back to the community, serving as a mentor and a volunteer. He has mentored several Dayton-area high school students, encouraging them to enter careers in engineering and science. Additionally, he has participated in job-shadowing events to give students a feel for a day in the life of an engineer. Sanders volunteers as an algebra tutor for local high school students under the Tri-Math-A-Lon program and has participated as a panelist for the "Best Practices for Success in Graduate School" panel, held at Wright State University. Sanders is active in the local American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics Dayton-Cincinnati Chapter, where he serves as Career and Workforce Development Chair, and in the National Society of Black Engineers Dayton Professional Chapter, where he serves as treasurer. Through NSBE, Sanders has recently helped organize an aerospace-themed booth for the annual TechFest exhibit at Sinclair Community College. "Doctor Sanders' expertise and personal contributions are invaluable to AFRL and the Dayton community as a whole. He is an outstanding role model and mentor not only to those within our organization, but to countless young people seeking to enter engineering and technical fields," says Dr. Richard Fingers, AFRL Aerospace Systems Directorate Diversity Council Chairperson. Parity, Inc., is a community based non-profit organization dedicated to improving and strengthening the educational, economic, and social opportunities for African Americans in Montgomery County, Ohio. This year's Top Ten African American Male Award recipients will be honored at a luncheon on Feb. 20, at Sinclair Community College.