Thomas L Buck

Dr. Thomas Buck is an Assistant Professor of Computer Science at the University of Minnesota Duluth and a Senior Lecturer in Data Science at the University of Wisconsin–Superior, where he teaches computer ethics, information systems, machine learning, programming, and 3D design. His academic credentials span multiple disciplines, including BAs in Eastern History and Philosophy with minors in Mandarin Chinese and Mathematics; an MA in Elementary Education; an MS in Curriculum and Instruction; a PhD in Educational Psychology; a PhD in Applied Information Systems; an MBA in Rural Healthcare; and an MS in Health Informatics. This extensive, interdisciplinary education reflects his ability to bridge technology, education, and applied research.

An accomplished researcher and author, Dr. Buck’s scholarly work focuses on three key areas: web-based assessment tools and educational game design; e-commerce and social/cultural entrepreneurship; and autonomous drone fleet management using neural networks. He has published numerous peer-reviewed studies and books, including Marketing on the Internet, E-Commerce for New Enterprises, Learning in Cyberspace, and Computer Information Systems: Case Studies. His achievements have been recognized with awards such as the McGraw-Hill/Irwin Distinguished Papers Award and the MBAA Distinguished Research Award. His research integrates educational psychology, technology literacy, and innovative applications of AI and automation.

In addition to his academic career, Dr. Buck is an internationally recognized conservator of East Asian historical and cultural artifacts, with over thirty years of expertise in Japanese art swords. Trained under Dr. W. Y. Takahashi, Sensei, he has specialized in tsukamaki and Japanese lacquer-ware restoration for museums, collectors, and dealers. He is also the author of Historic Japanese Swords and Fittings, The Art of Tsukamaki, and Across the Spectrum: Historical Trends in Japanese Lacquer-ware, reflecting his deep commitment to preserving cultural heritage alongside advancing modern technological research.