Travis Shane Taylor, Ph.D., is an American aerospace engineer, optical scientist, science fiction author, and television personality. Born in 1968 in Decatur, Alabama, he holds five advanced degrees including a Ph.D. in Optical Science and Engineering and a Ph.D. in Aerospace Systems Engineering. He has spent over 25 years working on classified programs for the U.S. Department of Defense and NASA, contributing to weapons development, space exploration, and advanced propulsion research. Taylor is best known as the lead investigator and chief scientist on the History Channel series The Secret of Skinwalker Ranch, where he applies rigorous scientific methodology to investigate the anomalous phenomena reported on the 512-acre property in Utah. He has also appeared on Rocket City Rednecks, Ancient Aliens, and NASA's Unexplained Files. He is the author of over 20 science fiction novels and several nonfiction books on advanced physics and space warfare.