Travis Horton

W. Travis Horton is an Associate Professor of Civil Engineering at Purdue University, with a courtesy appointment in Mechanical Engineering. He holds a Ph.D. from Purdue University and has over 20 years of academic and industry experience in thermal systems research. His affiliations include the Lyles School of Civil Engineering and the Ray W. Herrick Laboratories at Purdue, focusing on advanced thermal energy conversion systems and sustainable building technologies.

Dr. Horton’s research emphasizes integration of HVAC systems with renewable energy, optimization of ground-source heat pumps, and innovative compressor/expander technologies. He leads projects on building energy modeling, combined heat and power systems, and waste heat recovery. His work bridges experimental facilities with computational models for system analysis and optimization.

His teaching includes courses on building mechanical systems design and energy audits. He is a licensed Professional Engineer (Michigan) and holds universal refrigerant certification. Active in professional organizations like ASHRAE, his research has produced over 50 peer-reviewed articles since 2001, addressing thermal efficiency, energy systems integration, and sustainable building design.