Dr. Terry Robinson is a world-renowned neuroscientist whose pioneering work has fundamentally reshaped our understanding of addiction mechanisms. He currently holds the distinguished title of Elliot S. Valenstein Distinguished University Professor Emeritus of Psychology and Neuroscience at the University of Michigan, where he has been a faculty member since 1978. Born and educated in Canada, Robinson earned his B.A. in psychology from the University of Lethbridge in 1972, followed by an M.A. from the University of Saskatchewan in 1974, and completed his Ph.D. in Biopsychology at the University of Western Ontario in 1978. After postdoctoral training with Gary Lynch at the University of California, Irvine, he established his research program at Michigan, rising through the ranks to become one of the university's most decorated scholars before his retirement in December 2024.
Robinson's groundbreaking research on the neurobiological basis of addiction, particularly his development of the incentive-sensitization theory with collaborator Kent C. Berridge, has revolutionized the field by explaining how repeated drug use alters brain systems to produce compulsive drug-seeking behavior. His theoretical framework, which distinguishes between 'liking' and 'wanting' of rewards, has been cited tens of thousands of times and has become foundational to modern addiction science. With over 220 publications and more than 31,000 citations (h-index of 81), Robinson has been consistently recognized as one of the top 0.5% most cited scientists in Neuroscience since 2006. His work has not only advanced theoretical understanding but has also informed clinical approaches to treating substance use disorders, bridging the gap between basic neuroscience and therapeutic applications.
Beyond his research contributions, Robinson has profoundly influenced the field through extensive mentorship and leadership roles, training generations of neuroscientists who now hold prominent positions worldwide. He served as Editor-in-Chief of Behavioural Brain Research for 13 years, shaping the dissemination of knowledge in behavioral neuroscience, and currently directs the NIDA Training Program in Neuroscience at Michigan. His exceptional contributions have been recognized with numerous prestigious honors including the American Psychological Association's D.O. Hebb Distinguished Scientific Contribution Award, the William James Fellow Award for Lifetime Achievement from the Association for Psychological Science, and the Distinguished Scientist Award from the European Behavioral Pharmacology Society. As a Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science and current President-Elect of the European Behavioral Pharmacology Society, Robinson continues to provide visionary leadership in neuroscience despite his recent transition to emeritus status.
