معرفی
Michael A. Thomas is a Professor in the Department of Biological Sciences at Idaho State University, where he has served since 2003. His research focuses on bacteriophage biology and genomics with applications in combating antibiotic-resistant infections, alongside investigations into environmental impacts of pharmaceuticals on neurological health.
Dr. Thomas' educational background includes:
- Ph.D. in Entomology from Pennsylvania State University (2000)
- M.S. in Biology from Kansas State University (1994)
- B.S. in Biology from the University of Nebraska, Lincoln (1991)
- Postdoctoral fellowship at the Medical College of Wisconsin (2000-2003) on the Rat genome project
His research program spans bacteriophage host range evolution, genome annotation of novel phages (particularly Microbacterium-infecting clusters EG and EE), and environmental neurotoxicology examining psychoactive pharmaceuticals' links to autism and Alzheimer's disease. He employs genomic, proteomic, and bioinformatic approaches to study viral evolution and contaminant impacts on biological systems.
Recent publications (2022-2025) reveal dual research trajectories: bacteriophage discovery/annotation (Rowlf, SallyK, KillerTomato) and environmental neurotoxicology, with increasing emphasis on educational innovation through course-based research experiences.
No scientific awards or fellowships are documented in the provided materials.
Dr. Thomas mentors undergraduate and graduate researchers in his Life Sciences 436 laboratory, developing course-based research experiences including the Bacteriophage Discovery & Bioinformatics Lab (BIOL 1111/1112). His teaching portfolio spans Genetics, Organic Evolution, and Senior Seminar courses. Research funding appears focused on phage genomics and environmental toxicology through NIH and NSF mechanisms, though specific grants aren't detailed.
His laboratory maintains active bacteriophage isolation and sequencing capabilities, supporting his inclusive Research and Education Community (iREC) model for undergraduate science education reform, which integrates research and teaching through structured course-based experiences.
