Marine biologist recognized for selfless service to students, faculty, community
Robert Toonen, faculty member at the Hawai‘i Institute of Marine Biology in the University of Hawai‘i (UH) at Mānoa School of Ocean and Earth Science and Technology, was honored as the 2025 recipient of the UH Board of Regents (BOR) Willard Wilson Award for Distinguished Service. The systemwide award recognizes a UH employee whose commitment and performance has made a significant impact on the university.
“Rob’s career at HIMB has been distinguished by a spirit of generosity and service to the community, his colleagues, and his students and postdocs,” said Megan Donahue, HIMB director. “We are thrilled to see this recognition of his work.”
A nomination letter for this award noted that Toonen, who is the director of the Marine Biology Graduate Program and the Ruth D. Gates Endowed Chair of Coral Reef Systems at UH Mānoa, is “widely recognized for his selflessness, his willingness to go above and beyond, and his genuine care for the well-being of his colleagues and students.”
Another nominator wrote, “Rob consistently advocates for junior faculty members, ensuring our voices are heard and our concerns addressed. This inclusive approach contributes to a collaborative environment at HIMB where all faculty feel valued and supported. Rob has created an environment where excellence thrives alongside mutual support—a rare combination that has made HIMB an exceptional place to work.”
Toonen joined HIMB in 2003 as an assistant professor and since that time he has been a lead or co-author on over 300 peer-reviewed publications related to diversity of marine organisms and their life-history, coral reef ecology, design of Marine Protected Areas, and origins of invasive species. In 2012, he was awarded the Peter V. Garrod Distinguished Graduate Mentorship Award and in 2019, the UH Board of Regents Medal for Excellence in Research in recognition of scholarly contributions that expand the boundaries of knowledge and enrich the lives of students and the community.
While at UH Mānoa, Toonen has advised 42 graduate students, mentored 28 postdoctoral researchers, served on the graduate thesis committees of 73 additional students, and advised 13 undergraduate students on their thesis research.
A faculty nominator wrote in their letter, “Rob Toonen is a true leader who shows how to lead by doing it – serving others in his world means investing in those people whom he serves, especially those in need.”
This sentiment was echoed in the letter from another student nominator who Toonen advised, who wrote, “I am one of many at the University of Hawai‘i who have benefitted from his
extraordinary willingness to mentor, guide, and uplift students across the UH System. What stands out most is that he offered this mentorship without any obligation—he stepped in simply because he cares deeply about the success of students and the future of science. His approach to mentorship—generous, rigorous, and inclusive—left a lasting impression on me, and it continues to shape how I engage with others in [the] research field.”
“Through his mentorship, leadership, and exceptional service, Dr. Toonen has made a lasting impact not only within the University of Hawai‘i but also across the broader community and scientific world,” wrote another nominator who Toonen advised. “His contributions are invaluable, and his support has shaped the paths of countless students, colleagues, and community members in meaningful and lasting ways.”
More on the Willard Wilson Distinguished Service Award
The Willard Wilson Distinguished Service Award was established in 1969 to honor the UH Board of Regents’ retiring secretary, who set the standard for exemplary service during his 40-year career. The winner, selected from full-time employees at all 10 UH campuses, must have a minimum of 20 years of service and display a consistent pattern of extraordinary dedication to the university that is constantly above and beyond the responsibilities of the nominee’s position, among other criteria.