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Sid Robinson Biology Scholarship

Sid Robinson Biology Scholarship

This award was established in 2012 by Jean Robinson Peters to honor the memory of her father, Sid Robinson, an Olympic track star who became an internationally famous exercise and environmental physiologist. The scholarship was first awarded in 2016.

About Sid Robinson

Sid Robinson (1902-1982) was a middle distance runner who represented the U.S. in the 1928 Olympics. He went on to become an internationally famous exercise and environmental physiologist.

Dr. Robinson earned an M.S. from Cornell University in 1929 and taught at the University of Kentucky for one year. He joined the IU faculty in 1930, serving as an Assistant Professor of Physical and Health Education; Head Cross Country Coach; and Assistant Track Coach. Under his tutelage, the IU cross country team won the Big Ten Championship five times in a row and the National AAU Championship three times.

In 1936, Dr. Robinson went to Harvard University to complete his graduate studies at the newly established Harvard Fatigue Laboratory, under the tutelage of David Bruce Dill, who headed that unit. Dr. Robinson received his Ph.D. in Physiology from Harvard in 1938. The following year, he was appointed Assistant Professor of Physiology here at IU, eventually becoming Chair of the Department of Anatomy and Physiology. He pursued research in human stress physiology throughout his career. After Dr. Dill retired, he joined IU, working with Dr. Robinson to duplicate research done on athletes they had previously studied in order to determine changes brought about by aging.

This image appears on page 27 of the December 1961 issue of the Indiana Alumni Magazine. The caption reads, in full: "Don Lash, famous as a runner for the University in the 1930's and now an Indianapolis FBI man, runs again on the treadmill in the physiology laboratory. Mr. Lash volunteered to participate in research being conducted by David B. Dill (right), research scholar, and Sid Robinson (left) head of the anatomy and physiology department, both former athletes also. Drs. Dill and Robinson are duplicating tests made many years ago on athletes, including themselves, to provide data on changes with age. Mr. Lash at the height of his athletic career cooperated with Robinson n extensive research on the physiological effects of exercise." Photo courtesy of IU Archives (Image #P0047097) — The above photo appeared in the December 1961 issue of the *Indiana Alumni Magazine*. Dr. Sid Robinson (left), then head of the anatomy and physiology department, and Dr. David B. Dill (right) collect data from a former athlete for an ongoing study on changes with age. Photo courtesy of IU Archives (Image #P0047097)

2023 Robinson Biology Scholar: Chloe Lopez

Chloe is pursuing a major in Biology and contemplating declaring a minor in Chemistry and American Studies. She is an undergraduate teaching intern for Lecturer Kimberly Arnold in CHEM-C 103 Introduction to Chemical Principles. She is a member of the student organization Medicine, Education, and Development to Low Income Families Everywhere—or MEDLIFE. The organization works to provide low-income communities with access to healthcare and educational workshops. Chloe will participate in a MEDLIFE service learning trip to Costa Rica this summer. Outside of her academic interests, Chloe enjoys playing softball and soccer.

Chloe Lopez standing at IU Sample gates with her dog Mila. — Chloe Lopez and her dog Mila at Sample Gates—the first photo Chloe took on campus. Courtesy photo

2023 Robinson Biology Scholar: Joy Seo

Joy is a freshman majoring in biology with minors in chemistry and English. She is in the ASURE Antibiotics 2.0 chemistry lab with Senior Lecturer Laura Brown, where she studies quorum sensing in bacteria and researches small molecule inhibitors that can make Vibrio coralliilyticus bacteria nonpathogenic. Joy is also involved in the Minority Association of Premed Students, the Hutton Honors Council Association, and UNi.SON. After graduation, she plans to attend medical school.

Department of Biology

Sid Robinson Biology Scholarship