John Thomas

Education:

Undergraduate

• B.S. in Biology, Norwich University, Northfield, Vermont

Graduate School

• M.S. in Microbiology, Syracuse University, Syracuse, New York

• Ph.D. in Molecular Virology, Syracuse University, Syracuse, New York

Training:

Captain, US Army
Medical Service Corps (MSC)
Brook Army Medical Center, Fort Sam Huston, San Antonio, TX.

Sabbatical, Cardiff University
School of Dental Medicine and Wales University Hospital
Cardiff, Wales, UK.

Certification

• American Board of Bioanalysis (ABB), High Complexity Clinical Laboratory Director (HCLD)

Focus

     “Global Microbiologist and International Educator”

• Biofilms and Infections associated with Indwelling Medical Devices (IMD)
• Infections in ICU, particularly Mechanically Ventilated Patients
• Antibiotic Resistance and International Consequences
• Global Education for Graduate, Doctoral, and Post Doctoral Students
• Oral-Systemic Link in Infectious Diseases
• Simulator Design in Biofilm Diseases
• Probiotics as Replacement Therapy and Therapeutic Microbiology

Research Interests:

• Translational Research in Biofilms and Chronic Diseases, particularly VAP and Chronic Wounds
• Replacement Therapy (Probiotics) in reversing biofilm associated infections
• Development/Creation of Simulators/Models duplication environment of disease: Adult VEL, Infant VEL, Triphasic Wound Model
• Unmasking similarities and treatment of biofilms and solid tumors, understanding that tumors are actually “eucaryotic biofilms”

Appointments:

Invited Presentations:

Highlights for 2009 (National and International)

• Jan 23              Roanoke, VA 
  Regional Dental Association, Virginia Dental Association
  Full Day Seminar
  “Biofilms and Oral Diseases; Management and New Options”

• February 16     Dartmouth College, NH
  Department of Microbiology, School of Medicine
  “Biofilm and Respiratory Diseases: The Connection.”

• March  3           Pittsburgh, PA   
  Alleghany-Singer Research Institute, Center for Genomic Sciences
  “Biofilm Scandal in the Mechanically Ventilated Patient”

• March 10         Bethesda, MD
  3rd FDA Presentation
  “Silver Coated Endotracheal Tube:510k Application for Covidien”

• September, 20-22        Wuhan, China (International)
  IADR/PAPF/APR
  2nd Meeting of IADR PAPF/1st Meeting of APR
  Key Note Speaker “Oral Biofilms: Linking the Systemic Diseases”

• Sept., 20-22     Wuhan, China
  Plan 1st Annual Asia-Pacific Global Biofilm Symposium (2010)

• Sept., 25-28     Manila, Philippines
  Philippine Association of Dental Colleges
  “Changing Paradigms in Oral Microbiology: It’s Growing Significance in Systemic Diseases”

• Sept., 22-27     Pasay City, Philippines 
  101st Annual Convention of the Philippine Dental Association
  “Changing Paradigms in Oral Microbiology: It’s Growing Significance in Systemic Diseases”

• Sept., 24-25     Wheeling, WV
  20th Annual John G. Thomas WV Microbiology Symposium

• October, 20-21            Philadelphia (Mendenhall), PA
  16th Annual E.G. Scott Symposium
  “Biofilms in 3-D and Linking Oral Health to Systemic Diseases: What Can a Microbiologist Do?”

• November, 14-17       Palm Springs, CA
  American Institute of Oral Biology (AIOB). Update of Biofilms Using 3-D Imaging:
  1. “The Oral Microbial World in 3-D”
  2. “Probiotics and Replacement Therapy: Y/N?”

Selected Publications:

Textbooks

• Thomas JG, Posey SP, Namsupak A. Probiotics: The Link Between Beneficial Oral Bacteria and Total Health. Sherman Oaks, CA. Health Pointe Press; 2009.
• Thomas JG, Posey SP. Biofilms. In: APIC Text of Infection Control and Epidemiology - 3rd Edition. Washington, DC: APIC; 2009;94,94-1
• The Role of Biofilms in Device-Related Infections. Shirtliff M and Leid J. Edited by J. William Costerton and John G. Thomas. “Biofilm Ventilation” Life Sciences. Springer Series on Biofilms. Jan 3, 2009.
• Thomas JG. Probiotics: The Key to a Healthy digestive and Immune System: The Body’s Partner for Good Health. Sherman Oaks, CA. Health Pointe Press; 2009.
• Thomas JG, Nakaishi L, Corum L. Ch 14. Consequences of Biofilms on Indwelling Medical Devices: Cost and Prevention. In: Manivannan G, ed. Disinfection and Decontamination: Principles, Applications, and Related Issues. Boca Raton, FL: CRC Press; 2008:289-338.
• Disinfection and Decontamination: Principles, Applications, and Related Issues. Thomas, J., Nakaishi, L., Corum, L. “Antimicrobial Anti-infective Coated Medical Devices: Costs and Consequences of Biofilms” Chapter 14. CRC Press. Oct 4, 2007.

Manuscripts

• Wilson A, Gray D, and Thomas J. Increases in Endotracheal Tube Resistance Are Unpredictable Relative to Duration of Intubation. Chest. Oct 2009;136(4):1006-13. 
• Percival SL, Thomas JG. Transmission of Helicobacter pylori and the role of water and biofilms. J Water Health. Sept 2009;7(3):469-77.                                                         
• Thomas JG, Posey SB. Emergence of Oral/Dental Microbiology: The mouth is the most diverse and least understood reservoir of microbiology. Advance for Administrators of the Laboratory. June 2009:18(6);35-38.
• The Consequence of Microbial Biofilms: Collateral damage and “A Call to Arms.”  Advance for Administrators of the Laboratory. In Press.
• Thomas JG, Posey SB. Results Reporting in Microbiology Experts share views of the “seven deadly sins” of a microbiology lab report. Advance for Administrators of the Laboratory. Sept 2008:17(9);66.
• Polk DE, Weyant RJ, Crout RJ, McNeil DW, Tarter RE, Thomas JG, Marazita ML. Study Protocol of the Center for Oral Health Research in Appalachia (COHRA) Etiology Study. BMC Oral Health. June 2008:8;18.
• Prenshaw P, Novac M, Mellonig J, Magnusson I, Polson A, Giannoble W, Rowland R, Thomas J, Walker C, Dawson D, Sharkey D, and Bradshaw M.  Modified-Reclose Subantimicrobial Dose Doxycycline Enhances Sealing and Roof Planning in Subjects with Periodontal Disease. J. Peridontol. Feb 2008: 79(3); 440-452.
• Editorial: Wise MP, Williams DW, Lewis MA, Thomas JG and Frost PJ. Impact of Poor Dental Health on Pneumonia. Editorial to Article Entitled “New Evidence of Risk Factors for Community-Acquired Pneumonia: a Population-based Study”. Eur. Respir. J. June 2008: 31(6);1274-1284.

Awards

• The Student Research Development Award from the WVU School of Dentistry.     
  Oct. 15, 2009. (3rd time receiving award: 1998, 2006, and 2009)
• WVU Faculty Recognition Teaching Award, March 2, 2007.
  Presented by WVU President, David C. Hardesty Jr. and the Honorable Joseph   Manchin, III, Governor of the State of West Virginia
• Award for Excellence in Pathology, Researcher of the Year, 2004.
• WVU School of Dentistry, Alumni Association, Commendation Award, 2006.