Since 2010, Thomas’ research has been supported by project grants from the NHMRC. His work has contributed significantly to the discovery and functional characterisation of so-called ‘tissue-resident memory T cells’. These cells are now increasingly recognised as central players in peripheral immune responses during infection, autoimmunity, transplantation and cancer. Furthermore, his work has unravelled basic principles of T-cell trafficking throughout the body and has revealed novel insights into the regulation of immune cell functions within infected tissues. Thomas is a frequent speaker at national and international meetings and a regular reviewer and/or editor for scientific journals and funding bodies.