David S. Stargel Deputy Chief Scientist, 711th Human Performance Wing Air Force Research Laboratory

Dr. David S. Stargel is the Deputy Chief Scientist of the 711th Human Performance Wing of the Air Force Research Laboratory, Air Force Materiel Command, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio. Dr. Stargel is the primary science and technology advisors to the Chief Scientist and the wing leadership. In this position he provides technical vision and strategy for the wing’s science and technology plans. The Wing is comprised of over 2000 personnel spread over 8 operating locations with an annual budget in excess of $300M.

Prior to his current duties, Dr. Stargel served as the branch chief for the Engineering and Information Sciences Branch in the Air Force Office of Scientific Research (AFOSR), Arlington, Va. He was also the program officer for the Multi-Scale Structural Mechanics Portfolio. The office has a staff of 200 people and an annual working budget of $400 million that supports more than 5,000 worldwide basic research projects critical to the defense of the U.S. The office selects, sponsors, and manages research relevant to Air Force needs in science and technology, and is the single manager for the entire Air Force basic research program. As a program manager for the Air Force Office of Scientific Research, Dr. Stargel is responsible for managing and organizing fundamental research in the structural mechanics field for the United States Air Force.

Dr. Stargel graduated summa cum laude with a bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering from Florida A&M University in 1993. Upon graduation, he was selected for the USAF Palace Knight program and began his career with the United States Air Force in September of 1993. Dr. Stargel earned a doctorate in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Maryland at College Park in 2005.

Education

• 1993 Bachelor of science, Civil Engineering, Florida A&M University
• 1996 Master of science, Mechanical Engineering, University of Maryland College Park
• 2005 Doctor of philosophy, Mechanical Engineering, University of Maryland College Park