Gene E Robinson

Gene E. Robinson is the Maybelle Leland Swanlund Endowed Chair and Professor of Entomology at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. He leads the Carl R. Woese Institute for Genomic Biology (IGB) and holds affiliate appointments in multiple departments, including the Center for Advanced Study, Neuroscience Program, and Beckman Institute. His work integrates genomics, neuroscience, and behavioral ecology to study social insect behavior, primarily using honey bees as a model.

Robinson earned his Ph.D. in Entomology from Cornell University (1986) and joined UIUC in 1989. His research focuses on the genetic and neuroendocrine mechanisms underlying social behavior, division of labor, aggression, and communication in honey bees. Key projects include studying nutritional regulation of brain gene expression, gene regulatory networks in social evolution, and automated behavioral monitoring using RFID and AI.

He has authored over 350 publications, secured $70M+ in research funding, and trained ~60 early-career scientists. His honors include the Wolf Prize in Agriculture, Guggenheim Fellowship, and memberships in the National Academy of Sciences and National Academy of Medicine. Robinson’s interdisciplinary approach bridges molecular biology, ecology, and computational methods to address societal challenges in agriculture and health.

• Affiliations: Carl R. Woese Institute for Genomic Biology, Department of Entomology, Center for Advanced Study
• Leadership: Director of IGB (2001–present), former Neuroscience Program co-director
• Research Themes: Social evolution, genomics, neurogenomics, and bee health