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. She is open to working with trainees who have an interest in studying biological sex differences in cannabis use. Specifically, her research focuses on:
1.
Understanding individual and sex differences in cannabis use patterns, effects of
cannabis use, and risk for
cannabis use disorder: Recent and ongoing work is examining sex-specific recommendations for low-risk cannabis use, changes in objective and subjective functioning with cannabis reduction, the influence of ovarian hormones on ability to reduce cannabis use during CUD treatment, and sex differences in stress reactivity during cannabis withdrawal.
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.