Joel Thomas

Background

About Joel Thomas

Engineer well-versed in medical device design, assessment and patent protection. Presently working in quality engineering, risk management of medical devices, combination products and formulations at AbbVie. Over a decade of experience in biomedical engineering research at a T1 research institution, including training by industry professionals on medical device design, R&D, documentation, risk analysis, regulatory submissions (FDA, EU MDR), and quality management. Working knowledge of Six Sigma methodology, 21 CFR 820, ISO 13485, ISO 14971, 510(k), PRD remediation. Wrote dissertation on the use of stimulation via low-level electric currents as a therapy for degenerative diseases of the retina, supported in part by the US Department of Veterans Affairs, Emory U. and the VA Medical Center, Atlanta, GA. In order to answer some fundamental questions about electrostimulation, taught myself 3D modeling in SolidWorks and FE simulations in ANSYS, constructed virtual models of rat and human heads, and then built the computer on which to run those simulations. Soft-skills cultivated across years of work in research, student affairs, volunteerism and alumni relations, including peer mediation, understanding group dynamics, networking and managing crisis response. Specialties: medical device design, quality engineering, risk management, bioinstrumentation, electrophysiology, electronic signal analysis, technical drafting and modeling (SolidWorks, AutoCAD), neuroscience, vision science, intellectual property/ patent evaluation, leadership development.