DeMarcus Thomas, PhD, supports various Missile Defense Agency (MDA) projects as a Senior Software Assurance Analyst at COLSA. He serves as a team lead who performs software assessments to detect potential issues in our customers’ products.
Utilizing a robust set of capabilities, including Static Application Security Testing (SAST), Dynamic Application Security Testing (DAST), and other advanced evaluation techniques, Dr. Thomas identifies vulnerabilities, assesses the severity of the findings, and reports them to stakeholders for adjudication and remediation. He also serves as lead analyst and primary Point of Contact (PoC) between his team and customers.
“I have been given the opportunity to work with creative people and try to empower them to do their job freely. I aim to listen well and identify the key issues my customers and coworkers are experiencing to generate effective solutions.”
From Academia to Industry
Dr. Thomas is a Columbia, Mississippi native who obtained his Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science from Mississippi Valley State University. After that, he received a Master’s degree in Computer Science from Norfolk State University. Finally, he attended Mississippi State University and earned a PhD in Computer Science with an emphasis in Cyber Security.
Over the course of his academic career, Dr. Thomas was able to hold internship opportunities at Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory, Caterpillar Inc., Jackson State University, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, and Pacific Northwest National Laboratory. Immediately before joining COLSA, he worked as a Senior Research Engineer at a research lab at Mississippi State University.
Why Dr. Thomas Chose COLSA
Dr. Thomas said that COLSA has provided the ability to conduct interesting work with experts in the field while performing activities that really matter.
“I was looking for the opportunity to work with great people and take care of my family, and COLSA has afforded me this beyond what I expected.”
Making Family His Top Priority
Dr. Thomas said that outside of work, his family is his top priority.
“I married the love of my life in 2015, and we have four beautiful children. Each of them is very active and I cherish the ability to be an active, supportive father.”
He is also an avid sports fan and enjoys watching all major sports and pretty much anything on ESPN. Beyond sports, Dr. Thomas says he enjoys working and building with his hands. Particularly, he enjoys switching from the abstract nature of his job role to working with tangible materials around the house.
Whether he’s working at COLSA, enjoying time with his family, or working on his hobbies, Dr. Thomas emphasizes the importance of excellence. He said:
“I believe that excellence is not something you simply wake up with, but something that must be pursued actively every day. I strive towards the habit of excellence in all opportunities that I am afforded. I work towards this goal to honor the commitment that I have made to COLSA, to present a positive role model to my children and community, and as an expression of my faith in my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.”
