Robert Erdmann

Robert Erdmann is an Assistant Professor at the University of Minnesota Rochester, affiliated with the Center for Learning Innovation (CLI). His research spans Bioinformatics, Data Science, and Educational Research, with a focus on pedagogical methodologies and classroom analytics.

• Education: B.S. in Chemistry and Biochemistry from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, Ph.D. in Biology from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

Erdmann’s work bridges computational biology and educational innovation. He has contributed to understanding RNA-directed DNA methylation, epigenetic polymorphisms, and plant genetics, while also pioneering interdisciplinary approaches to teaching in STEM disciplines. His pedagogical research explores instructional planning, peer instruction, and student group formation.

The 15 most recent publications highlight a dual focus on biological systems (e.g., small RNA profiling, DNA methylation, and plant epigenetics) and educational research (e.g., classroom dynamics, instructional strategies, and community-building). This interdisciplinary approach integrates tools from bioinformatics and data science to address challenges in both biological research and higher education.

Erdmann’s email contact is rerdmann@r.umn.edu, and he is based at 318 Commons, Rochester, MN, USA.