Dr. Tomko received her bachelor’s degree in Psychology (B.S.) from the Pennsylvania State University and her M.A. and Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology from the University of Missouri. She completed her predoctoral internship and postdoctoral training at the Medical University of South Carolina/Ralph H. Johnson VA Medical Center. She is a faculty member within the Addiction Sciences Division of the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences. Clinically, Dr. Tomko works with young adults on difficulties with emotion regulation. She specializes in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Dialectical Behavior Therapy.
The overarching goal of Dr. Tomko's research is to improve treatment outcomes for individuals with substance use disorders by understanding individual differences in substance use disorder presentation and identifying which treatments are optimal for a specific individual. Specifically, her research focuses on:
1.
Understanding individual differences in cannabis use patterns, effects of
cannabis use, use of cannabis to cope with negative affect, and risk for
cannabis use disorder (including how these associations differ by sex, gender,
and over the developmental lifespan)
She
recently completed an ecological momentary assessment (EMA) study with young
adults to examine gender differences in the progression of negative
affect-related cannabis use. Currently, she is examining the role of sex,
gender, and ovarian hormones in cannabis use disorder remission.
2. Translating traditional substance use disorder clinical trial
results into personalized treatment recommendations
Randomized
controlled trials (RCTs) determine the efficacy of a treatment for a specific
population. Dr. Tomko and colleagues are developing predictive models to
translate traditional RCT data for substance use disorders into treatment
recommendations for a specific individual.
3. Developing technology and assessments to enhance substance
use research, particularly clinical trials
Dr.
Tomko also focuses on improving clinical trial methodology to expedite
treatment evaluation. She has developed, adapted, and/or validated
in-laboratory and ambulatory assessment/EMA techniques that can enhance
accuracy of self-report or objectively confirm substance use/medication
adherence in the real-world.
Cannabis research:
https://muschealth.org/medical-services/psychiatry/services/cannabinoid-research-collaborative
Adolescent and young adult-focused substance use research:
https://muschealth.org/medical-services/psychiatry/child/youth-collaborative