Cristina Robins

Dr. Cristina Robins is a Researcher at the University of Alabama Museums, specializing in Invertebrate Paleontology. Her work focuses on the systematics, evolution, and paleoecology of fossil decapod crustaceans, particularly squat lobsters (Galatheoidea). She has contributed to taxonomic revisions, described new species, and explored biodiversity patterns spanning the Jurassic to Cenozoic eras. Her research integrates morphological analysis with paleontological data to understand evolutionary pathways and host-parasite interactions in deep time.

Her studies emphasize Lagerstätten deposits such as the Jurassic Ernstbrunn Limestone and Solnhofen-type sites, which provide exceptional preservation of delicate crustacean structures. She has also investigated chemosynthesis-based ecosystems in the Paleocene and explored the fossil record of Munidopsidae and related families. Dr. Robins collaborates on interdisciplinary projects like the Panama Canal geological internships, bridging fieldwork and educational outreach.

Key themes in her publications include the diversification of squat lobsters, the role of parasitism in crustacean evolution, and the application of standardized terminology for describing fossil morphology. Her work advances both taxonomic understanding and broader paleoecological frameworks, with implications for reconstructing ancient marine ecosystems.