Rate My Professor David Thomas

David Thomas serves as Professor of Practice and Director of the Thunderbird Initiative for Space Leadership, Policy, and Business at Thunderbird School of Global Management, Arizona State University. Previously, he was Executive Director of the Milo Space Science Institute at ASU's School of Earth and Space Exploration, where he pioneered the Space Diplomacy initiative and helped establish the first university-led, non-governmental space agency. With more than 20 years of experience in applied science, defense, and international collaboration, Thomas has led high-tech teams and large-scale programs in the space industry, including roles as Director and CEO of ASU Research Enterprise (January 2019–July 2021), Program Manager of Strategic Programs at ASU (June 2018–January 2019), Director at CFD Research Corporation (April 2014–2018), Executive Manager, Director, and Senior Scientist at Aegis Technologies Group (2005–2014), Research Associate at the University of Tennessee Space Institute and NSF Industry/University Center for Biosurfaces (2001–2004), Manager of Research and Development at iScreen LLC (1999–2002) and Federal Electro Optics (1997–1999), and Research Associate at Los Alamos National Laboratory (1995).

Thomas earned an MSc in Physics (Summa Cum Laude, 1996) and BSc in Mechanical Engineering (Magna Cum Laude, 1994) from the University of Memphis, and a Strategic Innovation Management Certificate from Vanderbilt University (2015). His research specializations include space diplomacy and international relationships, operational excellence in large-scale initiatives, lunar exploration, climate action, space-enabled data for business models, nanotechnology, materials science, directed energy, sensors, terahertz technologies, biomaterials, and radiation effects on materials. He received the 2014 International Test and Evaluation Association Technical Achievement Award for novel measurement techniques in harsh environments. Notable publications comprise 'Terahertz Detection with Nanoscale Semiconductor Rectifiers' (IEEE Sensors Journal, Vol. 13, No. 1, 2013), 'Ionizing Irradiation for Sterilization and Modification of Orthopedic Biomaterials' (Trans. Tech. Periodicals, 2003), 'ESR Study of Radiation-Induced Oxidation in Poly(ester urethane)' (NIM B 185, 2001), and 'Evaluation of the iScreen digital screening system for Amblyogenic factors' (Can. J. Ophthalmology 35, 2000). Thomas contributes to the Milo Institute’s Advisory Council, advancing global access to space science and planetary stewardship.