It is with great sadness that we report the death of Teaching Professor Emeritus Thomas J. Carlson, who passed away on 9 April 2025. Tom was a highly respected scientist and teacher who was beloved for his creative intellect, his kindness, and his humanity. Professionally, Tom’s career centered on two themes – botany and medicine. He held a Masters’ Degree in botany from the University of Michigan and was a Curator Emeritus in Berkeley’s University and Jepson Herbaria. Tom was also a pediatrician, with an MD from Michigan State University. Tom very successfully integrated these dual interests by conducting research on indigenous uses of medicinal plants, a line of inquiry that led him to numerous remote locations around the world. He was also a very gifted teacher who generously shared his time and expertise with thousands of students.
Tom’s connection with IB began in the 1990’s, when he first started teaching at Berkeley. He quickly became the core of IB’s human biology curriculum, teaching fundamental courses in Anatomy and Physiology as well highly popular classes in Human Reproductive Biology, Evolutionary Medicine, and Medical Ethnobotany. His support for IB undergraduates was legendary and extended far beyond the classroom. Tom’s office hours were wildly popular, reflecting both his innate ability to connect with students and his willingness to share stories about the many unusual objects on display in his office, most of which had been acquired during his travels in pursuit of medicinal plants. He wrote countless letters of recommendation and helped numerous undergraduates navigate the requirements of the IB major. His enthusiasm for sharing knowledge was boundless and he never hesitated to pause and to point out the edible plants on the Berkeley campus. An episode of NPR’s Science Friday program that featured Tom clearly captures his exceptional ability to engage others in the wonders of biology.
Tom retired from teaching in January 2024. The resulting hole in our curriculum has yet to be filled. Now, that hole is accompanied by a larger hole in our community. Tom will be deeply missed for the warmth, positivity, and genuine care that he brought to his interactions with all of us.
Tom is survived by his wife Jennifer Sowerwine and his children Indigo and Lief. His family asks that we honor Tom’s legacy of teaching, mentoring, and inspiring students by supporting the recently established Thomas J. Carlson Scholar Award. Contributions to this award may be made through Berkeley’s Give to Berkeley website here.
Photo right: Tom Carlson enjoying a flowering Ceanothus bush. Photo courtesy of Brent Mishler.