Dr. Thomas is a clinical neuropsychologist with expertise in psychometrics, cognitive modeling, functional brain imaging, psychosis, and aging. Dr. Thomas earned a Ph.D. in clinical psychology from Arizona State University. He completed an internship and postdoctoral fellowship in clinical neuropsychology at UC San Diego, and then later joined the faculty as an Assistant Research Associate. Dr. Thomas is now an Associate Professor in the Cognitive Neuroscience program at Colorado State University. His work combines latent variable analysis, mathematical cognitive modeling, and brain imaging. He is particularly interested in the development of new measures, quantitative methods, and software, particularly in relation to item response theory and computerized adaptive testing. He has significant experience in the analysis of bias (measurement invariance) in psychological testing. Substantively, his research focuses on populations that are often disadvantaged in terms of access to healthcare, housing, and work opportunities. Current projects focus on the assessment of cognitive deficits associated with psychosis spectrum disorders, determining the root causes of bias in testing, and understanding the effects of environmental exposures such as pesticides on the risk for cognitive impairment and dementia. He is also interested in interventions for cognitive deficits including cognitive training and transcranial magnetic stimulation. 

 

SDoH Publications:

MacDonald, K., Thomas, M. L., Sciolla, A. F., Schneider, B., Pappas, K., Bleijenberg, G., Bohus, M., Bekh, B., Carpenter, L., Carr, A., Dannlowski, U., Dorahy, M., Fahlke, C., Finzi-Dottan, R., Karu, T., Gerdner, A., Glaesmer, H., Grabe, H. J., Heins, M., … Wingenfeld, K. (2016). Minimization of childhood maltreatment is common and consequential: Results from a large, multinational sample using the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire. PLOS ONE, 11(1), e0146058. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0146058

 

MacDonald, K., Thomas, M. L., MacDonald, T. M., & Sciolla, A. F. (2015). A perfect childhood? Clinical correlates of minimization and denial on the childhood trauma questionnaire. Journal of Interpersonal Violence, 30(6), 988–1009. https://doi.org/10.1177/0886260514539761

 

Sturm, E. T., Castro, C., Mendez-Colmenares, A., Duffy, J., Burzynska, A., Stallones, L., & Thomas, M. L. (2022). Risk factors for brain health in agricultural work: A systematic review. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 19(6), 3373. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph19063373

 

Jester, D. J., Thomas, M. L., Sturm, E. T., Harvey, P. D., Keshavan, M., Davis, B. J., Saxena, S., Tampi, R., Leutwyler, H., Compton, M. T., Palmer, B. W., & Jeste, D. V. (in press). Review of major social determinants of health in schizophrenia-spectrum psychotic disorders: I. Clinical outcomes. Schizophrenia Bulletin.

 

Sturm, E.T., Thomas, M.L., Sares, A.G., Dave, S., Baron, D., Compton, M. T., Palmer, B. W., Jester, D. J., & Jeste, D. V. (in press). Review of Major Social Determinants of Health in Schizophrenia-Spectrum Disorders: II. Assessments. Schizophrenia Bulletin.