In A Nutshell

Brian Thoms spent the first third of his life living on the outskirts of NYC in a small whaling community on Long Island (whaling has since become illegal). He received his Bachelors of Science in Computer Science at Fordham and completed his MSIS @ Stevens Tech. Today, Brian is a first second third final-year PhD student graduate from Claremont Graduate University’s School of Information Systems and Technology, where he conducts research for the Social Learning Social Lab (SL Squared) and Kay Center for E-Health Research. His research focuses on the design and implementation of innovative information systems for private and public organizations. He is also Assistant Professor of Computer Systems at the State University of New York at Farmingdale.

Before joining academic life, Brian worked for five years as a software developer and analyst for Salomon Smith Barney in downtown Manhattan. Brian continues to work part-time building intelligent systems for both small businesses and non-profits in Southern California just about anywhere.

Thanks to modern science, he is able to live comfortably in Orange County, California New York, New York. You can find me on Google Earth. You can also find me on LinkedIn.

Email me to discuss the fate of your world: brian[at]brianthoms[dot]com.

Doctorate (August, 2009)


School: School of Information Systems & Technology (SISAT) at Claremont Graduate University, Claremont, CA

Degree: PhD in Information Systems and Technology

Activities: Preparing Future Faculty Fellow, 2008-2009 SISAT Student Council President, 2007 SISAT Student Council Vice President

Description: The PhD Program maintains a strong focus on research and field application. Unconstrained by a typical business school structure, students are allowed to focus specifically on those topics associated with IS&T (transcript).

Masters (January, 2006)


School: Stevens Tech, Hoboken, NJ

Degree: M.S. in Information Systems

Activities: M.S. Thesis Outsourcing: Inside Out and Outside In

Description: The MSIS Program focused largely on the effective and efficient use of information on various areas of technology & management.

Bachelors (May, 2001)


School: Fordham University, Bronx, NY

Degree: B.S. in Computer Science

Awards: Dean’s List Student, Atlantic-10 Commissioner’s Honor Roll

Activities: Four-year, D-1, Varsity Athlete (Mens Soccer), Computer Science Club

Description: The CS Program focused on programming in a variety of languages with a strong emphasis on computer architecture and system design.

Industry Experience

2009 to pres. HealthATM Inc., Claremont, CA
Chief Software Engineer
Architected and developed a complete web-based platform for e-health kiosks. Our software interfaces with external health APIs to deliver secure patient health portfolio data for underserved populations via an ATM-style interface. Technologies: PHP, MySQL, XML, XSL, HTML, AJAX and FLASH.
2007 to 2009 San Diego County Office of Education, San Diego, CA
Project Contractor
Architected and developed a reporting application for migrant service aides, which provides service workers with an electronic method for reporting critical services. Technologies: C#, DotNet, MSSQL, XML, HTML and AJAX.
2001 to 2005 Salomon Smith Barney, New York, NY
Programmer / Analyst
Provided analysis, development and support for the Global Finance Desk Trading System. Role involved software development, strategic problem solving and creative data analysis for Finance Desk trading desk. Technologies: Java/JSP, C/C++, UML, PERL, HTML, Secure FTP, Sybase/SQL and Unix Shell scripting.
1998 to 2001 ClearDev, New York, NY
Web Developer
Assisted in creating, uploading and maintaining web sites and servers for commercial businesses. Technologies: PERL, HTML, JavaScript, ASP, Databases, Photoshop, Flash

Teaching Experience

2010 to pres. State University of NY (SUNY) Farmingdale
Assistant Professor of Computer Systems
Teach an array of computer classes from general programming to the management of information systems.
2010 Kaplan University
Online Instructor
Teach courses on database systems (Oracle, MSSQL, Access)
2008 to 2010 San Diego State University
Lecturer
Tought general courses on information systems.
2010 California Art Institute
Instructor
Tought courses on user interface design and general website development.

Research Experience

2009 to pres. Kay Center for E-Health Resesarch
Research Fellow
My role involves the design and development of a web-based platform, HealthATM, for e-health kiosks. The software interfaces with Google Health APIs to deliver secure patient health portfolio data for underserved populations via an ATM-style interface. Primary technologies are: PHP, MySQL, XML, XSL, HTML, AJAX and FLASH.
2005 to 2010 Social Learning Software Lab (SL Squared)
Research Associate
SL Squared aims to create effective software solutions for social learning. My existing role involves research into the various learning opportunities in implementing social software to increase collaboration in transdisciplinary studies.
2009 to 2010 Safe Road Maps
Research Associate
As a research associate for the Safe Road Maps (SRM) Project, my role centered on finding creative solutions for the Safe Road Maps web platform. Technologies: ArcGIS, Google Earth / Maps, C#, MSSQL, XML/XSL, AJAX/HTML.
2006 Intelligent Systems Lab
Research Assistant
Research centered on using natural language processing to reduce the complexity of health information across the Internet.

2010 Publications

  • Brian Thoms. “A Dynamic Social Feedback System to Support Learning and Social Interaction in Higher Education,” Accepted with revisions by IEEE Transactions on Learning Technologies. Resubmitted 07/21/2010.
  • Nathan Botts, Thomas Horan, Brian Thoms. “Cloud Computing Architectures for the Underserved: Public Health Cyberinfrastructures through a Network of HealthATMs”. (Forthcoming 2010)
  • Brian Thoms, Nathan Garrett Terry Ryan . “A Blog Reputation System to Foster Learning in Online Communities of Practice,” HICSS 43 (2010).
  • Nathan Botts, Brian Thoms, Aisha Noamani, Thomas Horan,“Cloud Computing Architectures for the Underserved: Public Health Cyberinfrastructures through a Network of HealthATMs,” HICSS 43 (2010).

2009 Publications

2008 Publications

2007 Publications

2005 Publications

  • Brian Thoms, “Outsourcing: Inside Out and Outside In,” Stevens Master’s Thesis, 2005, available online at http://brianthoms.com/articles/Thesis.pdf.

2010 Presentations

  • “Binary Search Trees: A Technology Tutorial,” Department of Computer and Information Systems at the School of Business at Farmingdale State University, Aril 23, 2009, Farmingdale, NY.
  • “The Design and Evaluation of a Peer Ratings System for Online Learning Communities,” 43rd Annual Hawaiian International Conference on System Sciences, January 4-7, 2008, Kauai, HI.
  • “Cloud Computing Architectures for the Underserved: Public Health CyberInfrastructures through a Network of HealthATMs,” 43rd Annual Hawaiian International Conference on System Sciences, January 4-7, 2008, Kauai, HI.

2009 Presentations

  • “Expanding Learning and Social Interaction through Intelligent Systems Design: Implementing a Reputation and Recommender System for the Claremont Conversation Online,” a Dissertation Defense at Claremont Graduate University, July 29, 2009, Claremont, CA.
  • “IT Does Matter,” Guest Lecture for IT509 MBA course at Woodbury University, June 13, 2009, Burbank, CA.
  • “Database Normalization: A Technology Tutorial,” Department of Computer and Information Systems at the School of Business at Farmingdale State University, Aril 23, 2009, Farmingdale, NY.
  • “Teaching Web Development Roundtable,” Craig School of Business at California State University, Fresno, April 3, 2009, Fresno, CA.
  • “Expanding Learning and Social Interaction through Intelligent Systems Design.” The Craig School of Business at California State University, Fresno, April 3, 2009, Fresno, CA.

2008 Presentations

  • “Claremont Conversation Online Open Source Tutorial,” Guest Lecture on Social Technologies. November 6, 2008, Claremont,CA.
  • Dissertation Proposal Defense, “Expanding Learning and Social Interaction through Intelligent Systems Design: Implementing a Reputation and Recommender System for the Claremont Conversation Online.” August 20, 2008, Claremont CA.
  • “July 2008 Claremont Conversation Online Update”, Social Learning Software Lab. July 30, 2008, Claremont CA.
  • “Beyond the Claremont Conversation”, Educational Studies Faculty & Board of Visitors. April 03, 2008, Claremont CA.
  • “Graduate Student Success with the e-Portfolio”, 20th Annual Lilly-West Conference, March 21-22, Kellogg West Ranch, Cal Poly Pomona, CA.
  • “Understanding the Roles of Knowledge Sharing and Trust in Online Learning Communities,” 41st Annual Hawaiian International Conference on System Sciences (HICSS), January 7-10, Waikaloa, Hawaii.

2007 Presentations

2006 Presentations

  • “CIO Roundtable Presentation on Online Social Learning / Social Networking,” Harper Hall, April 11, 2006, Claremont, CA.

Professional Activities

Professional Memberships
  • Association for Information Systems (AIS)
  • Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE)
Professional Peer Reviews
  • International Journal of Networking and Virtual Organizations (IJNVO)
  • International Journal of Information and Communication Technology Education (IJICTE)
  • Hawaiian International Conference on System Sciences (HICSS)
  • Americas Conference on Information Systems (AMCIS)
  • International Information Management Association (IIMA)
  • IEEE Intelligence and Security Informatics Conference (ISI)
  • International Information Management Association (IIMA)
  • International Conference on Information Systems (ICIS)
  • Persuasive

Professional Honors

2010 Awards
  • Kay Center for E-Health Research Post-doctoral Fellowship
2009 Awards
  • Persuasive Conference Distinguished Service Award
  • HICSS Nomination for Best Paper
2008 Awards
  • 2008 Spring CGU Travel Award
2007 Awards
  • SISAT Doctoral Screening Exam (Passed with Distinction)
  • IADIS Winner of Best Research Paper
  • HICSS Winner for Best Research Paper
  • DESRIST Nomination for Best Research Paper
  • SISAT Student Council Summer Travel Award
  • Hillcrest Transdisciplinary Research Award
  • Preparing Future Faculty Fellowship

Current Courses

Management Information Systems (BCS300)
Course examines the various levels and types of software and information systems required by an organization to integrate these functions.
Data Structures (BCS370)
Course presents sequential and linked representations of various built-in and abstract data structures including arrays, records, stacks, queues, and trees. Algorithms are developed relating to various sorting and searching techniques, merging and recursion. A high-level programming language, such as C++, is used in exploring and developing these algorithms with an emphasis on object oriented programming techniques and static and dynamic storage concepts.
Programming Concepts and Problem Solving (BCS101)
This course will provide an introduction to programming logic and problem solving techniques using different programming languages. The topics covered in this course will provide the skills needed to learn languages such as Visual Basic, C++ and JAVA. Topics include such items as constants and variables, data types, scope of variables, basic logic constructs, subroutines and functions.

Previous Courses

User Experience Design
An examination of systems for organizing and presenting information so that it is effective, efficient and understandable. Students will design and organize content into information structures that encourage users to browse, search and explore.
SQL Server Database Administration
Covers the database administration role for SQL Server relational databases, focusing specifically on the following: hardware capacity planning, installation of database management software and utilities, control of access to data and resources, automation of administrative tasks, optimizing database performance, and procedures for disaster recovery operations.
Oracle Database Administration
This course covers database administration using Oracle tools. Students focus on the following: installation of database management software and utilities; control of access to data and resources; troubleshoot an Oracle database; backup and recovery of Oracle databases; and resolving common performance problems using Oracle.
Database Concepts Using Microsoft Access
This course is an introduction to relational database management systems. Students use relational database management systems to create and maintain a database. Students create filters, sorts, queries, forms, and reports. Emphasis is placed on the skills needed to meet user requirements.
Introduction to Information Systems
An examination of systems for organizing and presenting information so that it is effective, efficient and understandable. Students will design and organize content into information structures that encourage users to browse, search and explore.

Content Management Services Consultation


I have worked extensively across many different content management and social networking websites for small-to-midsize organizations and non-profits.

Some of the installations I have helped manage and develop for include: Drupal, Joomla, Wordpress, Mambo, ocPortal, Elgg, Xoops.


I am available for various consulting services. Email me for a quote and description of needs at brian[at]socialxyz[dot][com].

Health Information Services Consultation


I have performed extensive research and development in the area of personal health record (PHR) systems.

To date, all health information consulting operates through HealthATM Inc.

Click here for more information.

Blogs


I currently do not maintain various blogs across the web (but I vow I will start again!). Here is a short list:



Links


Here are a few links to various organizations and projects I am currently a part of.