Thomas Briggs

Dr. Thomas Briggs is a staff engineer at Southwest Research Institute (SwRI) where he has spent over a decade leading R&D programs for advanced spark- and compression-ignited engines. At SwRI he was responsible for programs on low-speed pre-ignition, advanced ignition systems, waste heat recovery, and advanced diesel combustion systems. Thomas also consults internationally on powertrain technology development, global regulations, and energy. Prior to joining SwRI, Thomas was on the staff at Oak Ridge National Laboratory where he led programs in waste heat recovery and low temperature combustion research. He began his career at Caterpillar where he developed engine simulation codes and coordinated external research programs at a number of universities and national laboratories.

Dr. Briggs has been an active member of SAE for many years, serving as an organizer for sessions at World Congress and Powertrain, Fuels, and Lubes meetings. He is also an associate editor for the SAE Journal of Engines. He is a past board member for the Central States Section of the Combustion Institute. He is an author or co-author on over 25 papers and has been an invited speaker at multiple conferences and events.

Thomas received his BS in Mechanical Engineering and his MS in Agricultural Engineering from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and his PhD in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Wisconsin – Madison. In addition to his role as a lecturer in the Masters of Engineering in Engine Systems program, Thomas also guest lectures at Trinity University in San Antonio, Texas.