Barrie Robison

Barrie Robison is a Professor and Director of the Idaho Informatics & Bioinformatics Initiative (IIDS) at the University of Idaho. He holds a primary appointment in the Department of Biological Sciences within the College of Science. His research focuses on the genetic architecture of complex traits in fish, including studies on rainbow trout and zebrafish, with an emphasis on genomic analysis of behavioral variation and locally adaptive phenotypes. Robison also leads the Robison Lab and co-founded Polymorphic Games, an on-campus commercial game studio exploring educational and scientific applications of game mechanics. His work bridges evolutionary biology, genomics, and computational biology, often integrating experimental and computational approaches.

Research Interests: Robison investigates how genomic variations influence behavioral and physiological traits in aquatic organisms. Key areas include the genetic basis of bold/shy behavioral syndromes in zebrafish, evolutionary responses to environmental stressors, and applications of genomics to fisheries management. His lab employs cutting-edge technologies like genomic surveillance and CRISPR-based editing to study adaptive traits.

Key Projects: The Polymorphic Games initiative demonstrates his interdisciplinary approach, applying evolutionary principles to game design while fostering student entrepreneurship. His recent work includes genomic studies of SARS-CoV-2 transmission dynamics at universities and investigations into antibiotic resistance mechanisms in zebrafish microbiomes.

Awards: While no specific awards are listed, his contributions to zebrafish genomics and innovative educational technologies reflect significant scholarly impact. Robison has advised multiple interdisciplinary projects, including NSF-funded studies on behavioral adaptation in fish. His lab collaborates with institutions globally, emphasizing open-source tools and data-sharing in bioinformatics.