Thomas B. Ellis
استاد · South Asian religious and philosophical traditions
Appalachian State Universityمعرفی
Thomas B. Ellis serves as Professor of Religious Studies in the Department of Philosophy and Religion at Appalachian State University, part of the College of Arts and Sciences. His interdisciplinary scholarship uniquely bridges religious studies with biological sciences, focusing on South Asian traditions and their cognitive-cultural dimensions.
His academic credentials include:
- Ph.D. in Religious Studies from the University of Pennsylvania
- M.A. in Asian and Middle Eastern Studies – Indology from the University of Pennsylvania
- B.A. in Religious Studies from the University of South Carolina
Ellis's research program centers on South Asian religious and philosophical traditions (classical and contemporary), the psychology and biology of religion, infectious disease-culture interactions, secular humanism, and methodological theories. His groundbreaking 2022 monograph Religion, Disease, and Immunology establishes him as a leader in examining immunological aspects of religious practices and pandemic responses, while his cognitive science work explores ritual behavior and religious cognition through biological frameworks.
Recent publications (2025-2016) reveal intensifying focus on cross-cultural religious comparisons and disease-religion dynamics. His 2025-2024 Athens Journal of Philosophy articles compare Western and South Asian religious frameworks, while 2022 book chapters in Hinduism in 5 Minutes make complex concepts accessible. This body of work consistently bridges humanities and sciences, addressing topics from Tantra's biological dimensions to behavioral ecology of ritual.
No scientific awards are listed on the department webpage.
As a professor, Ellis advises undergraduate students in religious studies with research opportunities in his specialty areas. His sustained publication record—including books, journal articles, and reviews—demonstrates active research engagement, though specific grant details aren't provided. The department's Religion in Life program offers additional platforms for public scholarship through its weekly show exploring contemporary faith practices.
