Diana F. Tomback is an American ecologist and an academic. She is a professor of Integrative Biology at the University of Colorado Denver as well as the policy and outreach coordinator at the Whitebark Pine Ecosystem Foundation, a non-profit organization.

Tomback has worked in the fields of evolutionary ecology, avian ecology, conservation biology and forest ecology, primarily focusing on the ecology of bird-dispersed pines and their corvid dispersers. She is best known for research on the coevolved mutualism between whitebark pine (Pinus albicaulis) and its avian seed disperser Clark's nutcracker (Nucifraga columbiana) and for studies or compilations on the ecology and restoration of whitebark pine. Among her notable works are publications in academic journals, including Journal of Animal Ecology, Forest Ecology and Management, Ecological Applications, BioScience, and Ecology and Evolution as well as an edited book titled Whitebark Pine Communities: Ecology And Restoration.

Tomback completed her Bachelor of Arts in zoology at the University of California at Los Angeles in 1970, followed by a Master of Arts in zoology in 1972 from the same institution with ornithologists Nicholas E. Collias and Thomas R. Howell as advisors. In 1977, she obtained a PhD in biological sciences from the University of California at Santa Barbara working in the fields of avian behavioral ecology, advised by Stephen I. Rothstein.

In 1977, while writing her dissertation, she was appointed as postdoctoral fellow and instructor in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences at Brigham Young University, where she collaborated with Joseph R. Murphy on studies of ferruginous hawks. After obtaining her PhD, from 1977 to 1981, she held various appointments, including a stint as a visiting assistant professor of zoology at Pomona College from 1977 to 1978; a lectureship in Biology at the University of California, Riverside between 1978 and 1979; and a postdoctoral fellowship in the Department of Zoology at Colorado State University, working with avian behaviorist Myron C. Baker. In 1981, she began a faculty position at the University of Colorado Denver. During her tenure at the University of Colorado, she followed the traditional academic progression, starting as an assistant professor of biology from 1981 to 1986, followed by a promotion to associate professor of biology in 1986. Since 1995, she has held the position of professor of Integrative Biology at the University of Colorado Denver.

Tomback was a founding member and director of the Whitebark Pine Ecosystem Foundation, Missoula, Montana, from 2001 to 2017.

Over the years, Tomback's work has garnered media attention, especially concerning the status of whitebark pine, with several interviews with regional public radio stations and coverage in multiple news outlets such as WIRED, the Denver Post and The Washington Post.

Throughout her career, Tomback has contributed to several books, including authoring chapters in Why Birds Matter. Avian Ecological Functions and Ecosystem Services, Mountain Ecosystems : Dynamics, Management, and Conservation. and Sierra East. She also served as lead editor for themed journal issues of Forest Ecology and Management and Forests. Moreover, she played a role in addressing the decline of whitebark pine ecosystems by assuming the lead editor role for the book Whitebark Pine Communities: Ecology And Restoration, published in 2001. The book reviewed the ecological importance, decline, and management strategies for whitebark pine in western high-mountain regions, highlighting the impact of exotic disease, historical mountain pine beetle outbreaks, and altered fire regimes on this widely-distributed high elevation species and offering insights for restoration efforts.

In 2002, Tomback authored a chapter in the book Rocky Mountain Futures: An Ecological Perspective, wherein she provided an analysis of the Rocky Mountains' biodiversity, addressing the contrast between its perceived untouched state and the reality of significant anthropogenic impacts. The book also advocated for intensive management and conservation efforts to preserve its ecological integrity. Moreover, she also contributed to the book Yellowstone's Birds: Diversity and Abundance in the World's First National Park. The book serves as a guide to the birds of Yellowstone National Park, covering over 200 species.