معرفی
Professor Courtney J. Robinson serves as Professor and Chair of the Department of Biology within Howard University's College of Arts & Sciences. Her research integrates microbial ecology with host-microbiota interactions using innovative insect model systems, particularly the cabbage white butterfly (Pieris rapae), to investigate fundamental ecological concepts and disease mechanisms.
Education:
- B.S. in Microbiology, Xavier University of Louisiana (2000)
- Ph.D. in Microbiology, University of Wisconsin-Madison (2008)
Research Focus: Dr. Robinson's work centers on Microbial Ecology and Host-Microbiota Interactions, examining how diet, host development, and environmental perturbations shape microbial communities. Her lab employs molecular biology techniques to study community responses to invasion, microbiota structure in disease susceptibility, and vector-microbe-pathogen relationships in disease transmission systems. Recent projects include soil microbiome analysis at New York's African Burial Ground and Senegalese dust microbiota characterization.
Publication Trends: Her 15 most recent publications (2009-2023) reveal an evolving trajectory from foundational work on insect gut microbiomes (2009-2013) toward advanced genomic analyses of bacteriophages (2021-2023). Current research emphasizes environmental microbiome applications in radioactive waste sites (Hanford) and mycobacteriophage genomics, while maintaining core interests in host-microbe ecology and health disparities.
Scientific Recognition:
- NSF, Howard University Science Teacher Certification Program (Co-PI, 2014-2019)
- NIH-NIDDK Research Supplement (2008)
- University of Wisconsin Advanced Opportunity Fellowship (2007)
- Ford Foundation Dissertation Fellowship (2006)
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute Teaching Fellowship (2003, 2004, 2006)
- NIH Biotechnology Training Fellowship (2001)
Mentorship and Funding: Dr. Robinson actively mentors graduate students including Ingrid Harris and Leslie McKinnon. She directs the HHMI-funded PHAGES course, providing course-based undergraduate research experiences in bacteriophage genomics. Her funded projects span international collaborations with Ethiopia's University of Addis Ababa and Penn State University, addressing microbial diversity in disease vectors and Sahelian dust systems.
Laboratory Operations: The Robinson Lab operates from Ernest E. Just Hall (Room 239) at Howard University, maintaining partnerships with the Montague Cobb Research Lab and international institutions. Current research integrates soil microbiome analysis, insect vector studies, and phage genomics through both independent projects and large-scale collaborative initiatives.
