Thomas studied for his Master’s and PhD in Mechanical Engineering at Queen’s University Belfast, completing in 2022.
His PhD project was entitled “A Feature-Mapping Optimisation Framework for CAD Based Design”, where he explored the potential of integrating topology optimisation frameworks with feature-based CAD systems. This involved working with; implicit and explicit geometry representations, sensitivity analysis for geometric and structural parameters, structural analysis with commercial FEA software, and gradient-based optimisation algorithms.
He subsequently worked on the COLIBRI project, developing automated geometry decomposition algorithms to facilitate hexahedral meshing. This provided exposure to B-Rep data structures and computational geometry.
His research interests focus on enhancing engineering design processes by bridging the gap between geometry and analysis. Thomas joined the RIED team in June 2023, to focus on the challenges related to creating manufacturing-ready geometry.
Thomas has now progressed from the RIED project and, as of March 2026, has transitioned to a new research initiative titled VECTA, where the ambition is to realise Exascale computing for hydrogen gas turbines. He will contribute to VECTA by continuing research on CAD-CAE interoperability, looking at methods to support the rapid preparation of large CAD assembly models for CAE. This will leverage knowledge of methods of interacting with CAD systems gained while on the RIED project.