Dr. Robins joined the Division of Ichthyology as a Faculty Curator Emeritus in 1994. He continues to be an active researcher studying the systematics of various marine fish groups. Robins has contributed many cusk eel (ophidiiform) and cutthroat eel (synaphobranchids) specimens to the collection.

Prior to joining KU, Dr. Robins was a Marine Science Professor at the University of Miami.