Bob Tabita was a prolific biochemist, microbiologist, professor, mentor, and champion of the scientific community. In his own words, Bob was always fascinated by the "dark side" of microbiology; what transpires when a photosynthetic organism performs its magic to convert light energy to chemical energy." As a budding synthetic organic chemist at St. John's University (1961-1967), Bob soon discovered in his perspective that the best biochemists (by far) are microbes. As such, Bob endeavored to discover the underpinnings of microbial metabolism, drawing inspiration from pioneer biochemists, Melvin Calvin, Andrew A. Benson, and James A. Bassham. Per Bob, "as the most fundamental of synthetic processes, learning more about CO2 reduction seemed a good way to indulge one’s interests in biosynthesis, especially if one could develop systems where the process could be controlled.

Throughout his scientific career as a graduate student in the lab of Donald. G Lundgren at Syracuse University (1967-1971), as an NIH postdoctoral fellow in the lab of Bruce A. McFadden at Washington State University (1971-1973), and as a professor and director of his own research program at the University of Texas, Austin (1973-1989) and Ohio State University (Ohio Eminent Scholar, 1989-2021), Bob continued to contribute to our understanding of carbon cycling via CO2 fixation catalyzed by RubisCO, and its regulation in autotrophic bacteria; nitrogen cycling via Nitrogenase, its protection from oxidative damage, and transcriptional regulation; and new sulfur cycling pathways catalyzed by RubisCO-like and Nitrogenase-like enzymes.  

Bob's legacy is celebrated in his 250 plus peer-reviewed publications on microbial metabolism; 49 graduate students, 47 postdoctoral researchers and over 100 undergraduate students advised by Bob in his lab; and the numerous committees and scientific conferences that he served upon.