Biography
Dr. Thomas earned his B.S. and M.S in Nutrition, with an emphasis on Clinical Nutrition and Wellness from East Carolina University. After becoming a Registered Dietitian in 2001, he worked as a Clinical Dietitian in Greensboro, NC managing medical nutrition therapy for patients in general medicine, cardiac, rehabilitation, and intensive care units.
Dr. Thomas completed his Ph.D. in Nutritional Science at the University of North Carolina Greensboro and a Post-Doctoral Fellowship at the University of Kansas. Throughout his doctoral and postdoctoral studies, Dr. Thomas expanded his clinical knowledge base to include aspects of exercise physiology, sports nutrition, body composition, and hormone physiology. Dr. Thomas is a Board Certified Specialist in Sports Dietetics (CSSD) and is currently an Assistant Professor of Clinical and Sports Nutrition in the Department of Clinical Sciences at the University of Kentucky.
Teaching & Research Focus
General: Medical Nutrition Therapy & Nutrition for Athletic Performance
Specific: Role of vitamin D in promoting muscle health and performance; Nutrition interventions that influence the nitrate–nitrite–nitric oxide pathway in clinical populations
Personal
Dr. Thomas is married and has two children, Averie and Collin. In his free time, he enjoys traveling, staying physically active, cooking and gardening. He is an avid fan of collegiate sports and a serious foodie.
Publications
- D Thomas T, DelCimmuto NR, Flack KD, Stec DE, Hinds, Jr. TD. 2022. Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS) and Antioxidants as Immunomodulators in Exercise: Implications for Heme Oxygenase and Bilirubin. Antioxidants. 11(2):179.
- Kostelnik SB, Davy KP, Hedrick VE, D Thomas T, Davy BM. 2020. The Validity of Urine Color as a Hydration Biomarker within the General Adult Population and Athletes: A Systematic Review.. J Am Coll Nutr. :1-8.
- Ross JA, D Thomas T, Winters JD, Royer SD, Halagarda CJ, Sheppard R, Abt J, Heebner NR. 2020. Military Protein Intake Related to Strength and Fat Mass Independent of Energy Intake.. Mil Med.
- Schnell DM, R Walton G, Vekaria HJ, Sullivan PG, Bollinger LM, Peterson CA, D Thomas T. 2019. Vitamin D produces a perilipin 2-dependent increase in mitochondrial function in C2C12 myotubes.. J Nutr Biochem. 65:83-92.
- Lee S, Abel MG, D Thomas T, T Symons B, Yates JW. 2019. Acute beetroot juice supplementation does not attenuate knee extensor exercise muscle fatigue in a healthy young population.. J Exerc Nutrition Biochem. 23(1):55-62.
- D Thomas T, Schnell DM, Redzic M, Zhao M, Abraha H, Jones D, Brim H, Yu G. 2019. Local In Vivo Measures of Muscle Lipid and Oxygen Consumption Change in Response to Combined Vitamin D Repletion and Aerobic Training in Older Adults.. Nutrients. 11(4)
- Royer SD, D Thomas T, Winters JD, Abt JP, Best S, Poploski KM, Zalaiskalns A, Lephart SM. 2018. Physical, Physiological, and Dietary Comparisons Between Marine Corps Forces Special Operations Command Critical Skills Operators and Enablers.. Mil Med. 183(11-12):e341-e347.
- Jefferson GE, Schnell DM, D Thomas T, Bollinger LM. 2017. Calcitriol concomitantly enhances insulin sensitivity and alters myocellular lipid partitioning in high fat-treated skeletal muscle cells.. J Physiol Biochem. 73(4):613-621.
- Stewart MLottes, Biddle M, D Thomas T. 2017. Evaluation of current feeding practices in the critically ill: A retrospective chart review.. Intensive Crit Care Nurs. 38:24-30.
- D Thomas T, Erdman KAnne, Burke LM. 2016. Position of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, Dietitians of Canada, and the American College of Sports Medicine: Nutrition and Athletic Performance.. J Acad Nutr Diet. 116(3):501-528.
- Cassity EP, Redzic M, Teager CR, D Thomas T. 2016. The effect of body composition and BMI on 25(OH)D response in vitamin D-supplemented athletes.. Eur J Sport Sci. 16(7):773-9.
- Al-Attar A, Presnell SR, Peterson CA, D Thomas T, Lutz CT. 2016. Data correlations between gender, cytomegalovirus infection and T cells, NK cells, and soluble immune mediators in elderly humans.. Data Brief. 8:536-44.
- D Thomas T, Erdman KAnne, Burke LM. 2016. American College of Sports Medicine Joint Position Statement. Nutrition and Athletic Performance.. Med Sci Sports Exerc. 48(3):543-68.
- D Thomas T, Erdman KAnne, Burke LM. 2016. Position of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, Dietitians of Canada, and the American College of Sports Medicine: Nutrition and Athletic Performance.. J Acad Nutr Diet. 116(3):501-528.
- Henry B, Zhao M, Shang Y, Uhl TL, D Thomas T, Xenos ES, Saha S, Yu G. 2015. Hybrid diffuse optical techniques for continuous hemodynamic measurement in gastrocnemius during plantar flexion exercise.. J Biomed Opt. 20(12):125006.
- Redzic M, Powell DK, D Thomas T. 2014. Vitamin D status is related to intramyocellular lipid in older adults.. Endocrine. 47(3):854-61.
- Lennie TA, Moser DK, Biddle MJ, Welsh D, Bruckner G, D Thomas T, Rayens MKay, Bailey AL. 2013. Nutrition intervention to decrease symptoms in patients with advanced heart failure.. Res Nurs Health. 36(2):120-45.
- Redzic M, Lewis RM, D Thomas T. 2013. Relationship between 25-hydoxyvitamin D, muscle strength, and incidence of injury in healthy adults: a systematic review.. Nutr Res. 33(4):251-8.
- D Thomas T. 2013. Could vitamin D and bicarbonate supplementation synergize to mitigate age-related loss of muscle? Endocrine. 44(2):280-2.
- Lennie TA, Moser DK, Biddle MJ, Welsh D, Bruckner G, D Thomas T, Rayens MKay, Bailey AL. 2013. Nutrition intervention to decrease symptoms in patients with advanced heart failure.. Res Nurs Health. 36(2):120-45.