Thomas D. Howell (M'81, SM'89) received the B.S. degree in mathematics from the California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA, in 1973 and the Ph.D. degree in computer science from Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, in 1976.

He became a Lecturer in computer science and electrical engineering at San Jose State University, CA, in 2002. From 1977 to 1990 he was a research staff member in the IBM Research Division at their San Jose, Zurich, and Almaden centers, where he conducted research on the application of advanced signal processing techniques to magnetic recording channels. After joining Quantum Corporation in 1990, he managed advanced engineering groups in a variety of areas and helped introduce new technologies including digital channels, magnetoresistive and giant magnetoresistive heads into the company's products. He held a number of positions, ending as Vice President of Research. He served on the board of directors of the National Storage Industry Consortium and on industrial advisory councils at several university research centers during the 1990s.

Dr. Howell served as an editor of the IEEE Transactions on Magnetics (1997-2000) and chaired The Magnetic Recording Conference (2000).