Phyllis Robinson
Professor
Biological Sciences
Biological Sciences Bldg 220
Education
Ph D University of Wisconsin-Madison 1981
AB Wellesley College 1973
About
I obtained a BA from Wellesley College and a Ph.D from University of WI-Madison. I was a post doctoral fellow at Brandeis University and joined the faculty at UMBC in 1992. In addition to my research program, I am known for my efforts to increase the participation of women and minorities in science at UMBC. She co-founded the Women in Science and Engineering group at UMBC and was a Co-PI on the UMBC NSF ADVANCE grant and currently co-chairs the University executive committee on Gender and Diversity in Science, technology, engineering and math. I am also the Director of the U-RISE NIH training program.
Research Interests
The aim of my research is to understand how information in the environment is transformed into an appropriate biological signal. I study this problem of signal transduction in photoreceptors for they are accessible to a variety of techniques, providing a system in which it is possible to interface the approaches of biochemistry, molecular biology and physiology. My research has resulted in 50 peer-reviewed publications and several book chapters.13PhD students have graduated from my laboratory with 3 current PhD students. I have mentored over 50 undergraduates.
Teaching Interests
I am interested in Vision Science, Signal Transduction and Neurobiology.
Selected Classes
- Spring 2020 BIOL 397 – Ethics/Integ Scient Res
- Fall 2019 BIOL 651 – Neurobiology
- BIOL 451 – Neurobiology
- Spring 2019 BIOL 654 – Vision Science
- BIOL 454 – Vision Science
- Fall 2018 BIOL 645 – Signal Transdxn
- BIOL 445 – Signal Transduction
Contracts, Fellowships, Grants, and Sponsored Research
Robinson, Phyllis R. “FASEB's The Biology and Chemistry of Vision Conference,” Grant (In-Progress). Sponsored By: NIH.
Robinson, Phyllis R (Co-Principal). “Highly Sensitive Planar Anapole Microsonators for Electron Paramagnetic Resonance Spectroscopy of submicroliter /submicromolar sample,” Sponsored Research (Funded). Sponsored By: NIH.
Peercy, Bradford E., Hoffman, Kathleen (Co-Principal), Robinson, Phyllis R (Supporting). “Learning and Innovation at the Interface of Mathematics and Medicine: A NEW Approach,” Grant Sponsored By: Hrabowski Innovation Fund. (Jan 1, 2015 – Dec 31, 2018).
Robinson, Phyllis R. (Co-Principal), Hattar, S, Brown, R L. “The functional contribution of melanopsin phototransduction in ipRGC subtypes,” Grant (Funded). Sponsored By: NIH. (May 1, 2017 – May 31, 2026).
Robinson, Phyllis R (Principal). “U-RISE at the University of Maryland Baltimore County,” Grant (Funded). Sponsored By: NIH. (Apr 1, 2020 – Mar 31, 2025).
Intellectual Contributions
Fasick, Jeffry I., Algrain, Haya, Samuels, Courtland, Mahadevan, Padmanabhan, Schweikert, Lorian E., Naffaa, Zaid J., Robinson, Phyllis R. (2021). Spectral tuning and deactivation kinetics of marine mammal melanopsins. 10. 16 e0257436 Baltimore: PLOS ONE.
Valdez-Lopez, Juan C., Petr, Stephen T., Donohue, Matthew P., Bailey, Robin J., Gebreeziabher, Meheret, Cameron, Evan G., Wolf, Julia B., Szalai, Veronika A., Robinson, Phyllis R. (2020). The C-Terminus and Third Cytoplasmic Loop Cooperatively Activate Mouse Melanopsin Phototransduction. 2. 119 389-401 Baltimore: Biophysical Journal.
Fasick, J I., Algrain, H, Serba, K M., Robinson, Phyllis R. (2019). The retinal pigments of the whale shark (<i>Rhincodon typus</i>) and their role in visual foraging ecology.. 36 E011 Visual neuroscience.
Valdez-Lopez, Juan C., Gebreeziabher, Meheret, Flores, Jair, Awotunde, Olanike, Burnett, Thomas, Byerly, Adam, Robinson, Phyllis R. (2019). The Role of Protein Phosphatase 2A in the Re-Sensitization of Melanopsin During Continued Light Stimulation. 3. 116 234a Baltimore: Biophysical Journal.
Valdez-Lopez, Juan C., Petr, Stephen, Donohue, Matthew P., Szalai, Veronika, Robinson, Phyllis R. (2018). Unique Molecular Determinants that Contribute to Melanopsin's (OPN4) Capability to Sustain Light Responses. 3. 114 107a Baltimore: Biophysical Journal.
Somasundaram, Preethi, Wyrick, Glenn R., Fernandez, Diego Carlos., Ghahari, Alireza, Pinhal, Cindy M., Simmonds Richardson, Melissa, Rupp, Alan C., Cui, Lihong, Wu, Zhijian, Brown, R. Lane., Badea, Tudor Constantin., Hattar, Samer, Robinson, Phyllis R. (2017). C-terminal phosphorylation regulates the kinetics of a subset of melanopsin-mediated behaviors in mice. 10. 114 2741-2746 Baltimore: Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.
Fasick, Jeffry, Robinson, Phyllis R. (2016). Adaptations of Cetacean Retinal Pigments to Aquatic Environments.. 4 70 Frontiers in Ecology and Evolution..
Keenan, William Thomas., Rupp, Alan C., Ross, Rachel A., Somasundaram, Preethi, Hiriyanna, Suja, Wu, Zhijian, Badea, Tudor C., Robinson, Phyllis R., Lowell, Bradford B., Hattar, Samer S. (2016). A visual circuit uses complementary mechanisms to support transient and sustained pupil constriction. 5 eLife.
Robinson, Phyllis R., Hoffman, Kathleen, Kang, Hye-Won. (2016). Deterministic and Stochastic Mathematical Modeling of Melanopsin's Light Response in ipRGCs and HEK Cells. 3. 110 90a Biophysical Journal.
Keenan, W., Rupp, A C., Ross, R A., Somasundaram, Preethi, Hiriyanna, S, Wu, Z, Baeda, t, Robisnon, P R., Lowell, B B., Hattar, S. (2016). A visual circuit uses complementary mechanisms to support transient and sustained pupil constriction.. Elife.
Robinson, Phyllis R., Jackson, Abigail, Ortega, Jessica, Kang, Hyewon, Hoffman, Kathleen. (2015). Mathematical Modeling of Melanopsin's Light Response in ipRGCs and Hek Cells. 2. 108 151a Biophysical Journal.
Brown, R. Lane., Camacho, Erika, Cameron, Evan G., Hamlet, Christina, Hoffman, Kathleen, Kang, Hye Won., Robinson, Phyllis R., Williams, Katherine S., Wyrick, Glenn R. (2015). A stochastic model of the melanopsin phototransduction cascade. IMA Journal of Applied Mathematics/Institute of Mathematics and its Applications.
Brown, R. Lane., Camacho, Erika, Cameron, Evan G., Hamlet, Christina, Hoffman, Kathleen A., Kang, Hye-Won, Robinson, Phyllis R., Williams, Katherine S., Wyrick, Glenn R. (2015). A Stochastic Model of the Melanopsin Phototransduction Cascade. The IMA Volumes in Mathematics and its Applications 175-195 Springer New York.
Cameron, Evan G., Robinson, Phyllis R. (2014). β-Arrestin-Dependent Deactivation of Mouse Melanopsin. 11. 9 e113138 Baltimore: PLoS ONE.
Porter, M L., Kingston, A C., McCready, R, Cameron, E G., Hofmann, Christophe M., Suarez, L, Olsen, G H., Cronin, Thomas W., Robinson, Phyllis R. (2014). Characterization of visual pigments, oil droplets, lens and cornea in the whooping crane Grus americana.. Pt 21. 217 3883-90 The Journal of experimental biology.
Blasic, Joseph R., Matos-Cruz, Vanessa, Ujla, Devyani, Cameron, Evan G., Hattar, Samer, Halpern, Marnie E., Robinson, Phyllis R. (2014). Identification of Critical Phosphorylation Sites on the Carboxy Tail of Melanopsin. 16. 53 2644-2649 Baltimore: Biochemistry.
Blasic, Jr., Joseph R.., Matos-Cruz, Vanessa, Ujla, Devyani, Cameron, Evan, Hattar, Samer, Halpern, Marnie, Robinson, Phyllis R. (2014). Identification of the phosphorylation sites of melanopsin involved in deactivation. Biochemistry.
Blasic, Joseph R., Brown, R. Lane., Robinson, Phyllis R. (2012). Phosphorylation of Mouse Melanopsin by Protein Kinase A. 9. 7 e45387 Baltimore: PLoS ONE.
Carvalho, Livia S., Davies, Wayne L., Robinson, Phyllis R., Hunt, David M. (2012). Spectral tuning and evolution of primate short-wavelength-sensitive visual pigments. 1727. 279 387-393 Proceedings of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences.
Blasic,JR, Joseph R., Brown, R. Lane., Robinson, Phyllis R. (2012). Light-dependent phosphorylation of the carboxy tail of mouse melanopsin.. 9. 69 1551-62 Cell Mol Life Sci.
Matos-Cruz, Vanessa, Blasic, Joseph, Nickle, Benjamin, Robinson, Phyllis R., Hattar, Samer, Halpern, Marnie E. (2011). Unexpected Diversity and Photoperiod Dependence of the Zebrafish Melanopsin System. 9. 6 e25111 PLoS ONE.
Cronin, Thomas W., Porter, Megan, Bok, Michael, Wolf, Julia B., Robinson, Phyllis R. (2010). The molecular genetics and evolution of colour and polarization vision in stomatopod crustaceans , Ophthal.Physiol.Opt. 30 460-469
PORTER, MEGAN L., BOK, MICHAEL J., Robinson, Phyllis R., CRONIN, THOMAS W. (2009). Molecular diversity of visual pigments in Stomatopoda (Crustacea). 3. 26 255-265 Visual Neuroscience.
Newman, Lucy A., Robinson, Phyllis R. (2006). The visual pigments of the West Indian manatee (Trichechus manatus). 20. 46 3326-3330 Baltimore: Vision Research.
COWING, Jill A., POOPALASUNDARAM, Subathra, WILKIE, Susan E., Robinson, Phyllis R., BOWMAKER, James K., HUNT, David M. (2002). The molecular mechanism for the spectral shifts between vertebrate ultraviolet- and violet-sensitive cone visual pigments. 1. 367 129-135 Biochemical Journal.
FASICK, JEFFRY I., Robinson, Phyllis R. (2000). Spectral-tuning mechanisms of marine mammal rhodopsins and correlations with foraging depth. 5. 17 781-788 Baltimore: Visual Neuroscience.
FASICK, JEFFRY I., CRONIN, THOMAS W., HUNT, DAVID M., Robinson, Phyllis R. (1998). The visual pigments of the bottlenose dolphin (<i>Tursiops truncatus</i>). 4. 15 643-651 Baltimore: Visual Neuroscience.
Weng, Ke, Lu, C.-C., Daggett, Lorrie P., Kuhn, Rainer, Flor, Peter J., Johnson, Edwin C., Robinson, Phyllis R. (1997). Functional Coupling of a Human Retinal Metabotropic Glutamate Receptor (hmGluR6) to Bovine Rod Transducin and Rat Go in an in Vitro Reconstitution System. 52. 272 33100-33104 Baltimore: Journal of Biological Chemistry.
Kahana, Alon, Robinson, Phyllis R., Lewis, Laura J., Szuts, Ete Z., Lisman, John E. (1992). ATP-independent deactivation of squid rhodopsin. 6. 9 595-602 Visual Neuroscience.
Zhukovsky, Eugene A., Robinson, Phyllis R., Oprian, Daniel D. (1992). Changing the location of the Schiff base counterion in rhodopsin. 42. 31 10400-10405 Biochemistry.
Zhukovsky, Eugene A., Robinson, Phyllis R., Oprian, Daniel D. (1991). Transducin Activation by Rhodopsin Without a Covalent Bond to the 11- <i>Cis</i> -Retinal Chromophore. 4993. 251 558-560 Science.
Robinson, Phyllis R., Cote, Richard H. (1989). Characterization of guanylate cyclase in squid photoreceptors. 1. 3 1-7 Visual Neuroscience.
Johnson, Edwin C., Robinson, Phyllis R., Lisman, John E. (1986). Cyclic GMP is involved in the excitation of invertebrate photoreceptors. 6096. 324 468-470 Nature.
Presentations
Robinson, Phyllis R. (Author), Valdex, Juan (Author & Presenter). 18th International Conference on Retinal Proteins. Paper. "Structural and Molecular Analysis of Signaling Activation and Desensitization in Melanopsin, an Opsin G-Protein Coupled Receptor," International Conference on Retinal Proteins. (Sep 1, 2018).
Robinson, Phyllis R. (Author), Valdez, Juan. 18th International Conference on Retinal Proteins. Poster. "Structural and Molecular Analysis of Signaling Activation and Desensitization in Melanopsin, an Opsin G-Protein Coupled Receptor," International Conference on Retinal Proteins. (Sep 1, 2018).
Robinson, Phyllis R. (Author & Presenter), King, J. (Author). American Chemical Society Annual meeting. Oral Presentation. "MARC at UMBC," American Chemical Society. (Aug 1, 2018).
Robinson, Phyllis R., Valdez, Juan, Szalai, Veronika, Petr, Stephen. Retinal Neurobiology and Visual Processing. Poster. "Unique Structural and Molecular Determinants that Contribute to Melanopsin (Opn4) Phototransduction," FASEB. (Jun 1, 2018).
Robinson, Phyllis R., Rubin, Alexis (Author & Presenter). Retinal Neurobiology and Visual Processing. Poster. "A comparison of genetic editing techniques to create mutations in the mouse melanopsin sequence.," FASEB. (Jun 1, 2018).
Robinson, Phyllis R (Author & Presenter). Marine Mammal Sensory Systems: an Integrated Perspective. Lecture. "Phyllis Non-image forming vision in Cetaceans: What is melanopsin doing in the Aquatic mammal eye?," Society for Marine Mammalogy Biennial Conference on Marine Mammal Biology Post-COnference Workshop. (Oct 29, 2017).
Robinson, Phyllis R., Algrain, Haya (Author & Presenter). Biennial Conference on Marine Mammal Biology. Poster. ", Cetacean sunglasses? Deactivation kinetics of melanopsin in cetacean rod monochromats,," The Society for Marine Mammalogy. (Oct 1, 2017).
Robinson, Phyllis R. (Author), Algrain, Haya (Author & Presenter), Fasick, Jeffrey (Author). The Biology and Chemistry of Vision. Poster. "The Adaptation of Melanopsin Signaling Kinetics in Rod Monochromats,," FASEB. (Jun 1, 2017).
Robinson, Phyllis R. (Author), Somasundaram, Preethi (Author & Presenter). The Biology and Chemistry of Vision. Oral Presentation. "C-terminal phosphorylation regulates the kinetics of a subset of melanopsin-mediated behaviors in mice," FASEB. (Jun 1, 2017).
Robinson, Phyllis R (Moderator). The Biology and Chemistry of Vision. Oral Presentation. ":”Seeing the Future: Vision careers in industry, government and academia”," FASEB. (Jun 1, 2017).
Robinson, Phyllis R. (Author), Samasundraram, Preethi (Author & Presenter). ARVO. Poster. "C-terminal phosphorylation regulates the kinetics of a subset of melanopsin-mediated behaviors in miceAssociation for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology," Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology. (May 1, 2017).
Somasundaram, P (Author & Presenter), Fernandez, D C. (Author), Rupp, A (Author), Baeda, T C. (Author), Brown, R L., Hattar, S (Author), Robinson, Phyllis R (Author). Society for Neuroscience. Poster. "C-terminal phosphorylation plays a crucial role the kinetics of non-image forming visual behaviors i," Society for Neuroscience. (Nov 1, 2016).
Robinson, Phyllis R. (Author & Presenter), Porter, Megan (Author). International Society for Eye Research. Oral Presentation. "Shedding New Light on Opsin Evolution,," International Society for Eye Research. (Jul 1, 2012).