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Robert Tomko Jr., an Associate Professor in Biomedical Sciences at Florida State University, has been honored with the university’s premier teaching accolade for his commitment to nurturing strong bonds with his students and cultivating a learning environment founded on support, motivation, clarity, and transparency.

Tomko, who became a member of the College of Medicine in 2015, has been awarded FSU’s 2024-2025 Distinguished Teacher Award. The Faculty Awards Celebration, which was set for Tuesday, April 22, has now been postponed until the fall semester.

“Dr. Tomko possesses a profound enthusiasm for teaching and mentorship, particularly in aiding students to grasp intricate scientific concepts in straightforward, meaningful ways,” stated FSU Provost Jim Clark. “He has received multiple recognitions for his exemplary teaching and research, serving as an inspiration for both his students and peers.”

Professors who were awarded a University Teaching Award at least five years ago and can demonstrate ongoing exceptional teaching over the next five years qualify for this honor. Tomko, who received the University Teaching Award in 2019, will be granted a $7,500 reward from the institution.

“I am both honored and grateful to receive this recognition,” Tomko expressed. “The College of Medicine and my department truly value the significance of educating emerging scientists and clinicians, and I have been fortunate to learn from remarkable mentors early in my career who shaped my teaching style and philosophy.”

Tomko teaches courses for medical, physician assistant, and doctoral students, and he believes that as an educator, his responsibility is to ensure that his students are equipped for the future so that the College of Medicine produces “a group of skilled and impassioned scientists and clinicians to advance academic research and medical practice.”

He encourages his students to cultivate critical thinking and problem-solving abilities, emulate professional conduct, and take initiative in their academic and career journeys. He exemplifies high standards of professionalism that will be required of them, promoting respect and punctuality.

“I consistently remind students that their success is a result of their own efforts, and they must confront their ambitions and creatively seek paths to achievement when necessary. All students are familiar with my motto: Nothing worth pursuing is effortless.” — Associate Professor Robert Tomko

“I consistently remind students that their success is a result of their own efforts, and they must confront their ambitions and creatively seek paths to achievement when necessary,” Tomko noted in his award application. “All students are familiar with my motto: Nothing worth pursuing is effortless.”

In his role as an instructor for Clinical Pharmacology I in the Physician Assistant program, one of Tomko’s objectives is to prepare future clinicians for rare cases where conventional treatments may not yield results, employing a mix of reasoning, extensive medical knowledge, and innovation to uncover alternative causes or medications for specific symptoms.

By implementing a structured approach to knowledge enhancement, Tomko encourages students to make broader logical connections that aid them in identifying and pharmacologically diagnosing unusual conditions. He utilizes documented medical anomalies to illustrate that standard treatments may not always work and steers students towards solutions through probing questions and gentle guidance.

“A given set of symptoms typically points towards a specific illness or condition…until it doesn’t, and the designated treatment fails,” Tomko explained. “When that occurs, clinicians must be prepared to reevaluate their initial diagnoses and explore alternative treatments that are not conventional.”

Quill Thomas, a second-year graduate student in the Department of Biomedical Sciences at the College of Medicine, mentioned that Tomko consistently exceeds expectations for his students.

“He goes out of his way to provide support to students in whatever manner they require,” Thomas stated. “He’s an excellent mentor for his students as well as others. I know he’s held one-on-one meetings with different graduate students when they needed assistance or guidance.”

Tomko expressed that one of his greatest pleasures as an educator is witnessing a student successfully grasp intricate concepts.

“Observing all the pieces align and that moment of joy when everything clicks, allowing them to apply their knowledge to significant tasks, is truly rewarding,” he remarked.

Tomko directs the Tomko Lab, which explores the structure and functionality of the ubiquitin-proteasome system to aid in drug discovery initiatives aimed at treating cancer and infectious diseases. His remarkable achievements in teaching, service, and research also garnered him a Developing Scholar Award this year. This honor is presented to mid-career faculty at the associate professor level to bolster their research endeavors.

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