Robin Shields-Cutler

Robin Shields-Cutler is an Associate Professor of Biology at Macalester College in St. Paul, MN, currently on sabbatical. His research focuses on the biochemical interface between diverse bacteria and their hosts (primarily humans), utilizing both computational and experimental approaches to investigate complex microbial interactions.

Education:

• BA: Grinnell College (Biological Chemistry)
• PhD: Washington University in St. Louis (Molecular Microbiology & Microbial Pathogenesis)
• Postdoc: University of Minnesota (BioTechnology Institute, College of Biological Sciences)

Shields-Cutler's research spans multiple areas of microbiome science, with particular emphasis on computational profiling of secondary metabolites in bacterial communities and primate microbial biodiversity. His work bridges wet lab experimental microbiology with dry lab computational analysis, using techniques ranging from culture work and mass spectrometry to advanced bioinformatics. He maintains active collaborations with the Como Zoo, Mayo Clinic, University of Minnesota Masonic Cancer Center, and multiple other institutions.

His publication record reveals strong focus areas in gut microbiome dynamics related to transplantation medicine, host-microbe interactions in primates, and the development of computational tools for microbiome analysis. Several of his methods papers like SHOGUN and SplinectomeR have become important resources for the microbiome research community.

Scientific Awards:

• Faculty of 1000 Prime Recommended for Chemical Biology
• Selected as JBC 'Paper of the Week'
• Cover feature for June 26, 2015 issue of Journal of Biological Chemistry
• Highlighted in Nature Reviews: Gastroenterology and Hepatology

Shields-Cutler actively mentors undergraduate researchers at Macalester College, with numerous publications featuring undergraduate co-authors. His research program has secured funding through collaborative grants with major institutions including the Mayo Clinic, Como Zoo, and University of Minnesota. His work on the gut microbiome in hematopoietic cell transplantation patients has particular clinical significance.

His laboratory features dedicated space for both computational and experimental work, reflecting his dual approach to microbiome research. He maintains active GitHub repositories for his computational tools and collaborates extensively through the Macalester College Biology Department and beyond.