His research interests include the design and analysis of algorithms, in particular quantum algorithms, randomized algorithms, and dynamic distributed algorithms. His research is supported by grants from the National Science Foundation.
Dr. Klappenecker received a National Science Foundation CAREER award and a TEES Select Young Faculty award in 2004, was named Halliburton Faculty Fellow in 2007, and Fellow-at-Large of the Santa Fe Institute in 2000, and received highest distinction for his Ph.D. thesis. In 2005 he received an Undergraduate Faculty Teaching Excellence Award. In 2014, he received Distinguished Achievement Award in Teaching from the Association of Former Students at Texas A&M University.