Guy Robinson

Guy Robinson is a Visiting Scholar in Biology at Fordham University's College of Natural Sciences, based at the Lincoln Center campus (815G). He can be contacted at grobinson@fordham.edu. His research bridges paleoecology and modern aeroallergen monitoring, with a focus on understanding past environmental changes and their implications for public health.

Education:

• PhD in Biology (2003), Fordham University. Dissertation: "Landscape paleoecology and late Quaternary extinctions in the Hudson Valley".
• BS Summa cum Laude in Biology (1997), Ignatius College, Fordham University.

Research Interests: Dr. Robinson specializes in paleoecology, using sediment cores from lakes and bogs to study pollen, spores, and charcoal as proxies for past environments. His work investigates the role of human arrival and climate change in late Quaternary megafaunal extinctions, particularly in New York State. Concurrently, he leads Fordham's aeroallergen monitoring program, operating the only certified stations in NYC and Armonk to study pollen's impact on public health.

Publication Trends: His publications (2003-2013) reveal two interconnected strands: paleoecological reconstructions of megafaunal extinctions and contemporary studies linking pollen counts to allergy medication sales. This interdisciplinary work spans ecology, climate science, and epidemiology, often involving multi-institutional collaborations.

Awards:

• 2012 CSTEP Outstanding Service Award for mentoring students at Fordham College at Lincoln Center.
• 2010 W. S. Cooper Award (Ecological Society of America) for contributions to geobotany and plant distribution along environmental gradients.

Advising and Grants: Dr. Robinson actively mentors undergraduate and graduate students, particularly through the CSTEP program. His research has been supported by collaborations with the NYC Department of Health and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, including a study on pollen and allergy medication sales.

Labs and Teams: He manages two aeroallergen monitoring stations and a network of 55 passive pollen traps across New York City. His paleoecology fieldwork involves collaborations with local farmers and institutions to sample sediment at fossil sites, such as the Hyde Park Mastodon excavation.