Christopher S. Thaxton

Dr. Christopher S. Thaxton is a Professor in the Department of Physics and Astronomy at Appalachian State University, where he has served since 2004, progressing from Assistant Professor to his current position. He holds multiple leadership roles including Director of the Atmospheric Science Minor Program (since 2018) and previously directed the Environmental Science Program (2012-2017) and Professional Science Master's Program (2007-2012). He also served as Interim Director of the Engineering Physics Graduate Program from 2022 to June 2023.

Dr. Thaxton leads the Applied Fluids Laboratory (AppAFL), which investigates fluid mechanics of boundary layers and the coupling between fluids and terrestrial surfaces. The lab develops and applies instrumentation and analytical/numerical tools for research in sediment transport, seafloor dynamics, and atmospheric boundary layer processes.

His research interests span multiple areas of fluid dynamics with particular focus on:

• Seafloor object burial dynamics and sediment transport
• Atmospheric boundary layer processes in complex terrain
• Urban stream hydrology and temperature dynamics
• Computational fluid dynamics and modeling
• Machine learning applications in fluid dynamics

Dr. Thaxton's recent publications demonstrate strong activity in naval applications of fluid dynamics, atmospheric modeling using the Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF) model, and sediment transport mechanics. His work often involves interdisciplinary collaboration with environmental scientists, geographers, and engineers.

Notable awards and funding include:

• $350,000 contract with the U.S. Naval Research Laboratory's Ocean Sciences Division
• Collaboration in an NSF MRI program award of $530,000
• Multiple student NREIP (Naval Research Enterprise Internship Program) fellowships

As an advisor, Dr. Thaxton mentors both graduate and undergraduate students, with recent advisees including Adian Keaveney, Nick Mencis, Joshua McNeill, and Tess Mickey. His lab provides students with substantial computational resources and opportunities for research travel and conference participation. The Applied Fluids Laboratory maintains strong connections with the Naval Research Laboratory and other research institutions, providing students with valuable networking and career opportunities.

The lab maintains extensive computational resources including specialized workstations running Linux with software for computational fluid dynamics (OpenFOAM), atmospheric modeling (WRF), and machine learning applications. Dr. Thaxton also teaches courses related to his expertise including Atmospheric Physics and Fluid Mechanics.