Research interests

Areas of Research

  1. Integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in STEM Education
    1. Leveraging adaptive learning platforms to enhance student efficacy, engagement, and confidence.
    2. Investigating the role of adaptive learning platforms in improving student efficacy, engagement, and persistence, particularly in foundational engineering and STEM courses.
    3. Exploring AI-driven personalized learning pathways that cater to individual student needs, fostering critical thinking and problem-solving skills.
    4. Developing AI-enhanced instructional materials that bridge the gap between abstract STEM concepts and real-world applications.
  2. Veteran Transition to Civilian Careers
    1. Developing educational frameworks tailored for veterans entering STEM fields.
    2. Designing educational programs that leverage veterans’ unique skill sets, such as discipline, teamwork, and technical expertise, to succeed in STEM careers.
    3. Examining the challenges veterans face when transitioning to civilian educational environments and providing targeted solutions through AI-supported tools.
    4. Analyzing the efficacy of tailored STEM curricula in increasing persistence, graduation rates, and career outcomes for veterans.
  3. STEM Education for Military Families Overseas
    1. Designing programs to support military families stationed at bases such as Ramstein Air Base, Germany, focusing on cross-cultural adaptation and STEM career readiness.
    2. Creating STEM programs that address the unique challenges of military families, such as frequent relocations, cultural differences, and limited access to resources.
    3. Collaborating with overseas military bases like Ramstein Air Base to support educational continuity and career readiness for service members and their families.
    4. Integrating cross-cultural elements into STEM education to prepare students for global career opportunities and foster adaptability in diverse environments.
  4. Cross-Cultural Engineering Education
    1. Comparing AI-integrated instructional practices between the United States and the DACH region (Germany, Austria, and Switzerland).
    2. Conducting comparative studies on AI-integrated instructional practices between the U.S. and European countries, particularly the DACH region (Germany, Austria, Switzerland).
    3. Examining how cultural and educational differences influence the effectiveness of AI in STEM education, with a focus on transferable best practices.
    4. Developing frameworks that incorporate global perspectives to enhance STEM education outcomes for international and military-connected students.
  5. Collaboration with Leading AI Research Centers
    1. Partnering with the German Research Center for Artificial Intelligence (DFKI) to stay at the forefront of AI innovations in education.
    2. Applying cutting-edge AI research to curriculum development, focusing on scalable and inclusive STEM learning models.
    3. Exploring collaborative opportunities that integrate AI, engineering education, and cross-cultural studies to drive impactful research and practice.
  6. Global Standards for AI Integration in Curriculum Design
    1. Establishing benchmarks to ensure inclusive, practical, and future-ready educational practices.
    2. Establishing universal benchmarks for AI-enhanced education that prioritize equity, accessibility, and cultural adaptability.
    3. Advocating for ethical AI practices in education, ensuring tools respect diversity and promote inclusion for all learners.
    4. Creating models that inspire educational institutions worldwide to adopt AI in ways that transform learning and support diverse student populations.

  7. Long-Term Educational Impact

    1. Empowering military-connected communities by providing STEM education that fosters economic mobility, career success, and personal growth.
    2. Influencing global educational practices to integrate technology and AI effectively, creating opportunities for lifelong learning across cultures.
    3. Preparing a future workforce that is equipped with both technical skills and cultural competence to excel in an increasingly interconnected world.

Broader Goals and Impact

By focusing on these areas, Thomas' research aims to:

  1. Revolutionize the way AI is used in education, making learning more personalized and accessible.
  2. Create meaningful pathways for veterans and military families to achieve success in STEM fields.
  3. Foster cross-cultural collaboration and understanding through innovative educational models.
  4. Set a global standard for integrating AI in curriculum design, ensuring sustainable and impactful educational practices.