Thomas Thesen, PhD
Associate Professor, Departments of Medical Education at Geisel School of Medicine and Computer Science at Dartmouth College; Co-Director, Neuroscience & Neurology and Medical Learning Sciences - MD Programs; Director, Neuroscience-Informed Learning & Education (NILE) Lab
Thomas Thesen is an associate professor in the departments of Medical Education at Geisel School of Medicine and Computer Science at Dartmouth College. He is the director of the Neuroscience & Neurology and the Medical Learning Sciences courses in the MD program at Geisel. He directs the Neuroscience-Informed Learning & Education (NILE) Lab.
Dr. Thesen’s research combines the fields of brain, cognitive, and behavioral sciences with technology and pedagogy to inform optimal conditions for learning, with a focus on health sciences. Current research projects include the Wearable Wellness Study and CREST Study, looking at curricular determinants of well-being and behavioral lifestyle interventions in medical students. He also works on educational technologies that leverage Large-Language Models for medical training, such as the AI Patient Actor.
Dr. Thesen has received funding from the NIH, NSF, Wellcome Trust, AMA, IAMSE, AAN, and philanthropic organizations. He is a Visiting Scientist at the Brain & Mind Institute in Nairobi, Kenya.
As a dedicated educator, Dr. Thesen has received numerous teaching awards, such as the Distinguished Lecturer Award at Geisel, two Teaching Innovation Awards from the University of Houston, and the A.B. Baker Teacher Recognition Award from the American Academy of Neurology.
He is an avid sailor and outdoor enthusiast, enjoying skiing, hiking, and freediving.
Dr. Thesen’s full bibliography