Robert Anholt

Robert Anholt is the Provost’s Distinguished Professor of Genetics and Biochemistry at Clemson University and Director of Faculty Excellence in the College of Science. He holds a BSc from The Hebrew University of Jerusalem (1973), MSc from University College London (1975), and PhD from UC San Diego (1982). His research focuses on dissecting the genetic architecture of behavior using Drosophila, with emphasis on olfaction, addiction, and environmental interactions. He has published over 160 papers and mentored numerous students and postdocs. Key contributions include systems genetics of behavior, Drosophila models for human disorders, and epistatic network analysis.

Education:

• BSc, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, 1973
• MSc, University College London, 1975
• PhD, UC San Diego, 1982

Research Interests:

• Behavioral genetics in Drosophila
• Genetic basis of addiction and drug sensitivity
• Phenotypic plasticity and epistasis
• Drosophila as a model for human diseases
• Toxicogenomics and environmental exposures

Scientific Awards:

• Alexander Quarles Holladay Medal (NCSU, 2016)
• AAAS Fellow
• Beijing Forestry University Honorary Professor (2016–2019)
• Clemson University Research Award (2023)

Lab & Collaborations:

• Mackay-Anholt Lab (merged with Trudy Mackay’s lab)
• Focus on systems genetics and causal genotype-phenotype relationships