J. Mark Thom

Associate Professor

thomj@purdue.edu

765-494-9757

NISW 207

School of Aviation and Transportation Technology, Purdue University
1401 Aviation Drive

West Lafayette, Indiana 47907-2015

Biography

J. Mark Thom is an Associate Professor at Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana. Professor Thom teaches courses in airframe systems in the Aeronautical Engineering Technology program.

Professor Thom is the current director of the National Test Facility for fuels and propulsion, a research and testing tacitly created by a Congressional Appropriation. This center involves development research regarding alternative and future aviation fuels. The Facility most recently has done testing and test development work for materials compatibility for various fuel developers working on unleaded aviation gasoline.

Professor Thom has collaborated on work regarding the technical skills required for aerospace engineers in the 21^st century and has worked on methods for re-integrating hands-on skills into engineering and engineering technology education. He has done research on applied skills in engineering, and he currently serves on the Department' s ABET accreditation working group, which has pioneered the use of the FAA Part 147 requirements into an engineering technology curriculum.

Certifications:

FAA Airframe and Powerplant mechanic
FAA Designated Mechanic Examiner
FAA Private Pilot Certificate

(2015) Research Excellence Award: Recognition for receiving a sponsored program award in excess of $1M, for the FAA PAFI program. Purdue University.
(2015) Favorite Faculty Nominee: The candidate was recognized as a valuable mentor by students living on campus and was honored at the annual Favorite Faculty Banquet at Purdue University.
(2011) Excellence in Research Award: Recognition for success of principle investigators for their efforts in development and implementation of the National Test Facility for fuels and propulsion (NaTeF), obtaining at least $1M in sponsored programs. Purdue University.
(2010) Excellence in Research Award: Recognition for success of principle investigators for their efforts in development and implementation of the National Test Facility for fuels and propulsion (NaTeF), obtaining at least $1M in sponsored programs. Purdue University.
(2008) Departmental Outstanding Tenured Faculty Award.
(2000) Certificate of Appreciation: Society of Logistics Engineers:
(1999) Certificate of Appreciation: Society of Logistics Engineers:
(1995-1996) Two-time recipient of the Departmental Outstanding Non-Tenured Faculty Award.
(1996) School of Technology Outstanding Non-Tenured Faculty Award.

Articles

Publications

Dubikovsky, Barnes, D.K., S.I., Davis, J.M., Hagovsky, T.C., Hedden, J., Ropp, T.D., Sterkenburg, R., Thom, J.M., Yother, T.L, Wang, P.H. (In Press) Core Competencies for Bachelor of Science Degree in Aeronautical Engineering Technology: What is Aeronautical Engineering Technology? Journal of Engineering Technology.
Thom, M.A., Thom, J.M., Atwood, D. (2019). How Do We Know an Alternative Aviation Gasoline Meets the Needed Form, Fit, and Function? Aerospace Research Central. AIAA 2019-3346. Published Online:15 Jun 2019 https://doi.org/10.2514/6.2019-3346
Dubikovsky, S.I., Yother, T.L., Thom, J.M. (2018). An Analysis of Undergraduate Commercial Spaceflight Programs in the United States. International Review of Aerospace Engineering. 11-6, 236-240.
Dubikovsky, S.I., Yother, T.L., Thom, J.M. (2017). Expectations of Fundamental Knowledge in a Commercial Space Education Program by Space Industry. Collegiate Aviation Review International. 35-2, 68-81.
Johnson, M.E., Motevalli, P., Thom, J.M. (2017). Survey of Faculty Hiring Needs for Collegiate Part 147 Programs. Aviation Technical Education Council Journal. 39-2, 8-14.
Thom, J.M., Hagovsky, T.C., Stanley, D.L., Hendricks, R. M., Johnson, M.E., and Dubkovsky, M. I. (2009). Is ABET for You? History and Rationale of Pursuing ABET. Inc. Accreditation. Aviation Technical Education Council Journal. 19-2., 45-54.
Thom, J.M., S.I. Dubikovsky, T.C. Hagovsky, D.L. Stanley, R.M. Hendricks (2010). A Historical Perspective for Incorporating the Airframe and Powerplant Certificate as a Relevant Engineering Technology Skill. JAAER. 19-2., 45-54.
Thom, J.M. and Gerbracht, T. L. (2008). Study of an Aviation Design Supportability Course for Engineering and Technology. JAAER. 17-2., 33-49.
Thom, J.M. and Thom, M.A. (2006). Back to the Future: A survey of Engineering and Technology Education over the Last Century. Aviation Technical Education Council Journal. 28-1., 24-30.
Thom, J.M. and Brzezenski, J. (2006). Turbine Powerplants: Using the A&P Course to Fulfill Engineering Needs. Aviation Technical Education Council Journal. 28-1.,9-13.
Hagovsky, T.C., Thom, J.M., Young, J.P. (2004). WebCT ™ In the Technical Classroom: Strengths and Weakness’ of Using the Delivery Method. Aviation Technical Education Council Journal. 26-1., 4-6.
K. McNamara,* Thom,* J.M., & R. E. Thompson (2005). Improving Safety in a High Reliability/Low Commitment Work Environment, Collegiate Aviation Review, 22-1., 9-15.
Thom,* J.M., & D. R. Clarrett,*. (2005). A Structured Methodology for Adjusting Perceived Risk, Collegiate Aviation Review, 22-1.,97-121.
Thom,* J.M. & T.C. Hagovsky (2004). Aircraft Wire Rope: Beyond the AC 43.13), Aviation Technical Education Council Journal. 25-2., 4-12.
Thom*, J.M., & Pickering, M. (2002). A New Look at Motivators for Women to Enter Aviation Maintenance, Aviation Technical Education Council Journal, 23-2,4-8.
Thom, J.M. (2001). Diagnostic Data for Repair and Overhaul, Aviation Technical Education Council Journal, 22-2.,4-7.
Thom*, J.M. (1997). Industry Inputs for Better Communication Training for Aviation Maintenance Students. Aviation Technical Education Journal, 19 (1), 8-10.
Kimble*,M.A. and Thom*, J.M. (1997). The Elimination of Halon: Nothing Else Works Like It. Aviation Technical Education Journal, 18 (2), 8-10.
Kimble*,M.A. and Thom*, J.M. (1996). A Background on the Elimination of Freon. Aviation Technical Education Journal, 18 (1), 8-10.
Thom,* J.M. (1996). ASTM, CRC and the Replacement Fuels for Leaded Aviation Gasoline. Aviation Technical Education Journal, 17 (2), 7-9.
Thom,* J.M. (1994). Who Dreamed Up This Design?. Aviation Technical Education Journal, 16 (2), 4-8.
Kimble*, M.A. and Thom*, J.M. (1994). Skydrol, Why the Bad Rap? Aviation Technical Education Journal, 16 (1), 5-7.
Thom*, J.M. (1993) A Background Study of the Ozone Depletion Issue. Journal of Avionics Education, 2 (1), 17-36
Kimble*, M.A. and Thom*, J.M. (1993). Freon and Halon Replacement; Possibilities and Problems. Journal of Avionics Education, 3 (1), 11-17.

Presentations

Thom, M.A., Thom, J.M., Atwood, D. (2019). How Do We Know an Alternative Aviation Gasoline Meets the Needed Form, Fit, and Functions? Paper presented at AIAA Annual Conference & Exposition, Dallas, Texas.
Yother, T., Burleson, C., Thom, J.M., Kozak, B. (2019). The Search for the Commercial Space Technologist: A Comparison of Aviation and Commercial Space Related Post-Secondary Programs. Paper presented ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition, Tampa, Florida.
Yother, T.L., Johnson, M.E., Thom, J.M. (2018). A Course Improvement Strategy that Works: The Improvement of Student Satisfaction Scores in a Lecture and Laboratory Courses Using a Structured Course Modification Methodology. Paper presented ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition, Salt Lake City, Utah.
Yother, T.L., Kozak, B., Johnson, M.E., Thom, J.M. (2017). Developing an Aeronautical Engineering Technology Course for Commercial Space Operations. Paper presented American Society of Engineering Education Conference, Columbus, Ohio.
Dubikovsky, S., Yother, T.L., Thom, J.M. (2016). An Analysis of Undergraduate Commercial Spaceflight Programs in the United States. Paper presented International Journal of Arts & Sciences (IJAS) International Conference for Teaching and Education, Munich, Germany.
Dougherty, S., York, B., Thom, J.M. (2006). Development of a Process Model for Managing Change in Previously Deployed Software Applications. Paper presented Software Engineering Process Groups Conference, Nashville, Tennessee.
Kimble-Thom, M.A., Thom, J.M. (2005). Building Solid Technical Education and Training on Contemporary Engineering Education Foundation. Paper presented Technology in Education and Training Conference, San Antonio, Texas.
Thom, J.M., Thom, M.A. (2005). Academic and Industrial Perspectives on Capstone Course Content and the Accompanying Metrics. Paper presented Frontiers in Education Conference, Indianapolis, Indiana.
Thom, M.A., Thom, J.M., Crossley, W. (2005). Identifying Specific, Measurable “Skills” Perceived as Requisite for Graduating Aerospace Engineers. Paper presented American Society of Engineering Education, Portland, Oregon.
Thom, M.A, Thom, J.M., Depew, D. (2005). Engineering Technology and the Lessons Learned from Engineering. Paper presented American Society of Engineering Education, Portland, Oregon.
Hagovsky, T.C., Thom, J.M., Young, J. (2004). WebCT tm in the Technical Classroom. Paper presented Aviation Technical Education Council conference, Las Vegas, Nevada.
Thom, J.M., Pickering, M., Thompson, R.E. (2002). Understanding the Barriers to Recruiting Women in Engineering and Technology Programs-Study Results. Paper presented Frontiers in Education Conference, Boston, Massachusetts.
Thom, M.A., Thom, J.M., Crossley, W. (2002). The Use of Structured Engineering Tools for Engineering Curriculum Development. Paper presented Frontiers in Education Conference, Boston, Massachusetts.
Thom, M.A., Thom, J.M., Weishaar, T. (2002). Engine-Airframe Integration – Collaborative Reality in the Classroom. Paper presented AIAA/ASME/SAE/ASEE Joint Propulsion Conference,
Thom, J.M. (2002). PowerPoint TM Animation: Creating Motion Animation Easily and Inexpensively. Paper presented Aviation Technical Education Council conference, Indianapolis, Indiana.
Thom, J.M., Thompson, R.E., Hoy, C. (2001). Understanding the Barriers to Recruiting Women in Engineering and Technology Programs. Paper presented American Society of Engineering Education, Albuquerque, New Mexico.

Industry Engagement:

Professor Thom was the Principle Investigator on a Congressionally mandated fuel development program. This program was the most comprehensive fuels development undertaking in the last 100 years. The Professor Thom lead the effort to develop test methods and to conduct materials testing for the Federal Aviation Administration’s fuel research program for the elimination of leaded aviation gasoline.
Professor Thom has also Principle Investigator on other testing programs for alternative fuel developers, including at least three multi-national petrochemical companies.
As a part of his work in developing Engineering Technology between 1997 and 2004, Professor Thom was awarded grants to facilitate the recruitment and retention of women into engineering and engineering technology

Consulting:

Baere Aerospace Consulting, Inc.

Purdue Polytechnic Institute

Global mobile menu

J. Mark Thom

J. Mark Thom

Associate Professor

Biography

Certifications:

Industry Engagement:

Consulting:

My Research Grants and Awards

My Research Interests

College Affiliations

News About Me

Pages

Information

Explore

Resources

About