Institute for Genomic Biology at the University of Illinois

The Robinson Lab

Honey Bee Research at the University of Illinois

Lab Members

PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

POSTDOCTORAL ASSOCIATES

  • Dr. Cassondra Vernier (PhD, Washington University)
  • Dr. Tim Gernat (PhD, University of Leipzig)

Research Scientists

  • Dr. Zhenqing Chen (PhD, NYU)
  • Dr. Adam Hamilton (PhD, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign)

GRADUATE STUDENTS

  • Sarai Stuart (Ecology, Evolution and Conservation)
  • Malavika Venu (Program in Evolution, Ecology and Conservation Biology)
  • Melissa Flores (Neuroscience Program)

Past and present undergraduate Researchers (~200)

Undergraduate Honors Theses

  • Laura Kilikevicius, B.S. with High Distinction, 2021
  • Allyson Ray, B.S. with Highest Distinction, 2016
  • Chelsey Coombs, B.S. with Highest Distinction, 2014
  • Sam Akin, B.S. with Distinction, 2013
  • Kyle Carey, B.S. with Distinction, 2012
  • Roveiza Irfan, B.S. with Distinction, 2010
  • Nicole Spencer, B.S. with Distinction, 2009
  • Timothy Daugherty, B.S. with High Distinction, UIUC, 2009
  • Mira Kolodkin, B.S. with High Distinction, 2006
  • Dustin Rubinstein, B.S. with Distinction, 2002
  • Christopher Thompson, B.S. with Distinction, 2000
  • Russell Riley, B.S. with Distinction, 1998
  • Omar Jassim, B.S. with Highest Distinction, 1997
  • David Schulz, B.S. with Highest Distinction, 1995
  • Jennifer Angel, B.S. with honors, Stanford University (outside advisor), 1994
  • Jennifer Strand, B.S. with High Distinction, 1994 (co-advisor, S. Fahrbach)
  • Natasha Leacock, B.S. with High Distinction, (co-advisor S. Fahrbach)
  • Matthew O'Neal, B.S. with High Distinction, 1992

LAB PERSONNEL

  • Paul Tenczar (Research Scholar)
  • Dr. Amy Cash Ahmed (Lab Manager)
  • Nathan Beach (Bee Lab Manager)
  • Rachel Manweiler (Research Technician)      

Graduate Student, Postdoc, and Staff Lab Alumni 

  • Adrian Moran (Postdoctoral Research Associate, 2004-2006)
  • Alison Sankey (Bee Lab Manager)
  • Amy Toth (Ph.D. Program in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, 2007)
  • Andrew Barron (Postdoctoral Research Associate, 2000-2003)
  • Arian Avalos (Postdoctoral Research Associate, 2015-2018)
  • Axel Brockmann (Postdoctoral Research Associate, 2004-2011)
  • Beryl Jones (Ph.D. Ecology, Evolution & Conservation Biology, 2019)
  • Brian Herb (Postdoctoral Research Associate, 2017-2018)
  • Brielle Fischman (Ph.D. Ecology, Evolution and Conservation, 2013)
  • Cedric Alaux (Postdoctoral Research Associate, 2006-2009)
  • Charley Nye (Bee Lab Manager, 2010-2015)
  • Charlie Whitfield (Postdoctoral Research Associate, 2000-2004)
  • Christina Grozinger (Postdoctoral Research Associate, 2000-2004)
  • Christine Wagener-Hulme (Ph.D. Entomology, 2000)
  • Clare Rittschof (Postdoctoral Research Associate, 2012-2015)
  • Claudia Lutz (Ph.D. Neuroscience, 2012)
  • Dan Toma (Ph.D. Ecology, Ethology, Evolution, 1999)
  • David Schulz (Ph.D. Entomology, 2001)
  • Elizabeth Capaldi (Postdoctoral Research Associate, 1996-2000)
  • Emma Murdoch (Research Technician, 2013-2015)
  • Ernest Blackwell (Postdoctoral Research Associate, 2010-12)
  • Ginger Withers (Ph.D. Neuroscience, 1994)
  • Guy Bloch (Postdoctoral Research Associate, 1997-2001)
  • Hagai Shpigler (Postdoctoral Research Associate, 2013-2017)
  • Hongmei Li (Postdoctoral Research Associate, 2009-2012)
  • Ian Traniello (Ph.D. Neuroscience, 2020)
  • Joseph Sullivan (Ph.D. Entomology, 2001)
  • Julia Fine (Postdoctoral Research Associate, 2017-2019)
  • Karen Kapheim (Postdoctoral Research Associate, 2011-2014)
  • Karen Pruiett (Bee Lab Manager, 2004-2010)
  • Kari Jackson (MS Entomology, 2016)
  • Laura Heuser (M.S. Entomology, 1996)
  • Maggie Murphree (M.S Entomology, 2022)
  • Maria Vermiglio (M.S. Biology, 1998)
  • Marsha Wheeler (Ph.D. Entomology, 2014)
  • Matthew McNeill (Postdoctoral Research Associate, 2010-2014)
  • Michael Saul (Postdoctoral Research Associate, 2014-2018)
  • Michelle Elekonich (Postdoctoral Research Associate, 1997-2002)
  • Miguel Corona (Postdoctoral Research Associate, 2000-2007)
  • Molly Shook (Postdoctoral Research Associate, 2014-2016)
  • Morgan Carr-Markell (M.S. Ecology, Evolution and Conservation, 2013)
  • Moushumi Sen Sarma (Postdoctoral Research Associate, 2004-2010)
  • Nadya Kholina (Research Technician)
  • Nick Naeger (Ph.D. Entomology, 2015)
  • Rodrigo Velarde (Ph.D. Entomology, 2006)
  • S. Hollis Woodard (Ph.D. Ecology, Evolution and Conservation, 2012)
  • Sam Beshers (Postdoctoral Research Associate, 1995-1997)
  • Sarah Farris (Ph.D. Entomology, 1999)
  • Scott Kreher (Postdoctoral Research Associate, 2007-2009)
  • Scott Nixon (MS Biology, 2010)
  • Sean Collins (M.S. Entomology 1994)
  • Seth Ament (Ph.D. Neuroscience, 2010)
  • Steve Trumbo (Postdoctoral Research Associate, 1992-1995)
  • Tara McGill (MS Entomology, 2012)
  • Terry Harrison (Bee Lab Manager, 2015-2016)
  • Tim Dougherty, (MS Biology, 2010-2011)
  • Tom Newman (Lab Manager)
  • Trang Nguyen (Research Technician, 2002-2004)
  • Tugrul Giray (Ph.D. Entomology, 1997)
  • Yehuda Ben-Shahar (Ph.D Entomology and Postdoctoral Research Associate, 1996-2003)
  • Ying Wang (Ph.D. Cell and Developmental Biology, 2010)
  • Zachary Huang (Postdoctoral Research Associate and Research Scientist, 1990-1998)
  • Zhengzheng Sophia Liang (Ph.D. Neuroscience, 2013)