Professor Thomas has worked in Indigenous health and health research for 30 years. He has worked as a doctor for three Aboriginal community controlled health services. He has published peer-reviewed research articles about many aspects of Indigenous health and the book, Reading Doctors’ Writing (Aboriginal Studies Press, 2004).

Prof Thomas established and has led the Tobacco Control Research Program at Menzies since 2007. He has completed research about many aspects of Indigenous tobacco control, including the national longitudinal study ‘Talking About The Smokes’, an RCT, Cochrane reviews, qualitative research (including the examination of historical tobacco industry documents), evaluations of local and national policies and projects, and monitoring trends in smoking.  This work has been in collaboration with Australian and international researchers, including many Indigenous researchers, and in close partnership with Indigenous communities and organisations, especially Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Services.   

Prof Thomas is involved in the translation of research into policy and practice through advocacy, collaborations with policy makers and practitioners, and his membership on several important national and NT committees.