Ku Thomas

Former USPTO Patent Examiner exploring new opportunities in IP law, patent drafting, and innovation strategy

Denver Metropolitan Area

About

I’m a former USPTO Patent Examiner with one year of experience reviewing patent applications related to self-driving vehicle technologies, many of which used AI. I bring an interdisciplinary science and engineering background, supported by master’s degrees in both chemistry and nuclear engineering. My technical experience spans semiconductors, polymers, medicinal plants, cancer cells, nuclear waste recycling, and other areas.

Experience

  • Stand Lead, Team Member at Elitch Gardens Theme & Water Park
    May 2024 - Present · 2 yrs 2 mos

    • Manages 6 concession stands • Assists team members in resolving conflicts with customers

  • Patent Examiner at USPTO
    Jul 2024 - Jun 2025 · 1 yr

    • Focused on self-driving vehicles, AI (Artificial Intelligence), 5G, and wireless technologies • Conducted prior art searches through PE2E, used Google to find non-patent literature • Drafted office actions that addressed rejections, objections, and allowable subject matter • Led examiner-attorney interviews to discuss proposed amendments and patentability strategy

  • Research Assistant at Colorado School of Mines
    Aug 2022 - May 2024 · 1 yr 10 mos

    • Created and purified over 300 g of chemicals for recycling nuclear waste • Generated code for modeling nuclear reactors and electrical generation systems

  • Afternoon Enrichment Teacher at Hongwanji Mission School
    Jun 2022 - Jul 2022 · 2 mos

    • Created the curriculum for a summer Pacific Island Cultures class • Taught 15 groups of approximately 20 students that were in grades 1 through 8

  • Senior Intern at Thermo Fisher Scientific
    Jan 2021 - Dec 2021 · 1 yr

    • Analyzed defects in semiconductor wafers, reduced defect rate from 40% to 10% • Fabricated a Python algorithm that detected shapes in semiconductor wafers