Professor John G. Thomas, MS, PhD, HCLD

Prof. John G. Thomas, a clinical microbiologist for more than 41 years, returned from a 6 month Sabbatical, on January 5, 2008, as a Visiting Professor at Cardiff University School of Dental Medicine, Wales, UK. His primary purpose was to unmask the link between dental flora and ventilator associated pneumonia (VAP) via the endotracheal biofilm in a 25 patient ICU study. While in Cardiff, translational research focused on organism detection using a combination of molecular methods for Viable, But Non-Cultivable (VBNC) microorganisms in VAP emphasizing 16S RNA PCR-DGGE (Denaturing Gradient Gel Electrophoresis), Confocal Laser Scanning Microscopy using PNA FISH for yeast, PFGE for typing isolates, PCR and SEM/X-ray microanalysis for biofilm matrix elemental composition. The project was conducted with Dr. David Williams, Reader in Microbiology, and Prof. M. Lewis, Professor of Oral Medicine, Head of Oral Surgery Medicine and Pathology, and President of the Royal  College of Physicians and Surgeons, Glasgow University.

Secondary translational research focused on biofilms in chronic wounds, where his clinical colleagues included Drs. David Leaper and Keith Harding, Wales University Hospital.  

Since 2007, Prof. Thomas has traveled greater than 100,000 miles, covering four continents, 16 countries, and has presented to greater than 15,000 scientists, dentists, and public health individuals integrating clinical microbiology, biofilms, antibiotic resistance and links between oral and systemic disease. Highlights included: keynote speaker at the American Association of Endodontics in Philadelphia, Opening Session, (March); Symposium Presentation at World Dental Congress, CFDI, Dubai (October); Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons (Chartered 1599), Glasgow, (November); and the Eastman Dental School, College of London and New Castle University, New Castle, UK (December).

In April, 2008, Prof. Thomas circumvented the Globe on a 25,000 mile, 4 nation, Asia-Pacific tour highlighted by 3-D animated presentations at the IDEM in Singapore (April), Singapore National Hospital, NUS, the Royal School of Dentistry in Mumbai, and the School of Dental Medicine in Jakarta. He finalized his world travels with Key Note addresses for the introduction of Oral Probiotics, Manchester Stadium, UK (May), Advanced Wound Care Management in San Diego, CA, USA (April) and Biofilms and Antibiotic Resistance, Center for Veterinary Medicine, FDA (June).

Dr. Thomas integrates 4 academic and educational positions at West Virginia University: School of Medicine, Pathology, School of Dentistry, Periodontology, School of Pharmacy, and Graduate School, Department of Microbiology and Cell Biology. He also holds teaching positions at Rutgers University and internationally is a Visiting Professor a Cardiff University, School of Dental Medicine and National University of Singapore, School of Dentistry.

In 2008, Dr. Thomas was invited to join the Scientific Advisory Council, ADA, and in 2007, he was awarded the Mountain Award, the highest achievement for University Teaching, recognized by students.