Robin A. Bingham

Robin A. Bingham is a Professor of Biology at Western Colorado University, affiliated with the Natural & Environmental Sciences Department and the Clark Family School of Environment & Sustainability. His work bridges evolutionary ecology and plant-animal interactions, with a focus on plant defense mechanisms and phenotypic plasticity.

• PhD in Environmental, Population, and Organismic Biology, University of Colorado (1997)
• MA in Education, University of Colorado (1987)
• BA in Botany, University of Vermont (1984)

Dr. Bingham's research explores evolutionary community ecology, emphasizing plant-herbivore interactions, genetic diversity in alpine species, and the ecological impacts of phenotypic plasticity. He integrates molecular biology with field ecology to study adaptive evolution. His teaching portfolio includes Introductory Biology, Evolutionary Biology, and specialized courses like Rocky Mountain Flora.

The most recent publications analyze chemical ecology in plant-herbivore coevolution, pollinator conservation, and genetic variation in alpine plants. Key themes include defense trade-offs in milkweed, efficient pollination in high-altitude ecosystems, and herbicide resistance in agricultural weeds. Collaborations with the Rocky Mountain Biological Laboratory feature prominently in his work.

Dr. Bingham actively mentors undergraduate researchers, supervising projects on transgenerational defense in Brassica rapa, hormone-disrupting chemicals' effects on fern sex ratios, and cheatgrass biology. His office is located in Hurst Hall 222.