Turfgrass SpecialistAssistant ProfessorArea of Expertiseturfgrass management, athletic fields, turfgrass, turfgrass pests, golf courses, turfgrass troubleshooting EducationB.S., Horticulture, Iowa State University, 2006M.S., Plant Sciences, University of Tennessee, 2008Ph.D., Plant Sciences, University of Tennessee, 2015 AwardsOne of top 3 Graduate Student Presentations. ISEA Sport10 Conference (2014). Sport10 Conference, Sheffield, England.University of Tennessee Outstanding Graduate Teaching Assistant (2008). CASNAR, Knoxville, TN.Watson Outstanding Sports Turf Graduate Student (2006). Sports Turf Managers Association Conference, San Antonio, TX. Published ArticlesRefereed Articles (14 Total – 5 as Primary Author) Thoms, A.W., J.T. Brosnan, J.C. Sorochan, and A.M. Saxton. 2015. Exploring relationships in surface hardness data collected with different instruments. J. of Testing and Evaluation (under review). Thoms, A.W., J.T. Brosnan, and J.C. Sorochan. 2015. Root zone construction affects hybrid bermudagrass responses to simulated traffic. Eng. Sport11 (under review). Thoms, A.W., J.T. Brosnan, J.M. Zidek, and J.C. Sorochan. 2014. Models for predicting surface temperatures on synthetic turf playing surfaces. Eng. Sport10 72:895-900. Brosnan, J.T., G.K. Breeden, K.H. Dickson, A.W. Thoms, and J.C. Sorochan. 2014. Applications of preemergence herbicides in spring do not affect bermudagrass traffic tolerance in fall. Appl. Turf Sci. 11(1):1-2. Brosnan, J.T., K.H. Dickson, J.C. Sorochan, A.W. Thoms, and J.C. Stier. 2014. Large crabgrass, white clover, and hybrid bermudagrass athletic field playing quality in response to simulated traffic. Crop Sci. 54(4):1838-1843. Brosnan, J.T., G.K. Breeden, A.W. Thoms, and J.C. Sorochan. 2014. Effects of preemergence herbicides on the establishment rate and tensile strength of hybrid bermudagrass sod. Weed Technology. 28:206-212. Brosnan, J.T., W.E. Hart, A.W. Thoms, and J.R. Sarten. 2013. A new apparatus to evaluate turfgrass divot resistance. Intl. Turf. Soc. Res. J. 12:619-624. Thoms, A.W., J.T. Brosnan, M. Paquette, S. Zhang, and J.C. Sorochan. 2013. A new apparatus to simulate player-to-surface interactions on natural and synthetic turf. J. Testing and Evaluation. 41(3): doi: 10.1520/JTE20120103. Haselbauer, W.D., A.W. Thoms, J.C. Sorochan, J.T. Brosnan, B. Schwartz, and W.W. Hanna. 2012. Evaluation of experimental bermudagrasses under simulated athletic field traffic with perennial ryegrass overseeding. HortTechnology. 22:94-98. Brosnan, J.T., G.K. Breeden, A.W. Thoms, and J.C. Sorochan. 2011. Preemergence herbicide efficacy under athletic field traffic. Online. Applied Turfgrass Science. doi:10.1094/ATS-2011-1128-01-BR. Thoms, A.W., J.C. Sorochan, J.T. Brosnan, and T.J. Samples. 2011. Perennial ryegrass and grooming affect bermudagrass traffic tolerance. Crop Sci. 51(5): 2204-2211. Brosnan, J.T., G.R. Armel, A.W. Thoms, P.E. McCullough, G.K. Breeden, J.C. Sorochan, and T.C. Mueller. 2010. Efficacy of flazasulfuron for control of annual bluegrass (Poa annua) and perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne) as influenced by nitrogen. Weed Sci. 58(4):449-456. Brosnan, J.T., A.W. Thoms, G.K. Breeden, and J.C. Sorochan. 2010. Effects of various plant growth regulators on the traffic tolerance of ‘Riviera’ bermudagrass (Cynodon dactylon L.). HortScience. 45(6):966-970. Borst, S.M., J.S. McElroy, A.W. Thoms, and G.K. Breeden. 2008. Different herbicide responses by moss species in creeping bentgrass greens: Two herbicides produced different reactions in three species of mosses. Golf Course Management. 76(12):82-85. Department ProfileDepartment of Horticulture Contactathoms@iastate.edu515-294-2751106 Horticulture Hall2206 Osborn DrAmesIowa50011Website: TurfgrassBlog: Turfgrass Blog