Robin S. Reid

Robin S. Reid is an American environmental scientist who is a professor at Colorado State University. She led research activity at the International Livestock Research Institute, Kenya, for almost twenty years. She was elected to the National Academy of Sciences in 2021.

Early life and education Reid earned a bachelor's degree from Duke University in 1979 and her master's degree in ecology from the University of Washington in 1983. Her research investigated patterns of juvenile mortality in response to mountain goat disturbance in the Olympic National Park. Reid joined Colorado State University as a doctoral researcher. Her doctorate involved studying livestock-mediated tree regeneration.

Research and career In 1992, Reid joined the team who established the International Livestock Research Institute. Trypanosomiasis, a condition caused by the Tsetse fly, causes sleeping sickness in humans. Reid worked to strengthen the relationship between people, their lands and their livestock.

Inspired by the Maa language expression "Reto-o-Reto", which means 'I help you; you help me,’, Reid built partnerships between human, wildlife and livestock populations. She coordinated hundreds of meetings with scientists, local communities and policy makers. Reto-o-Reto and the Kitengela Ilparakuo Landowners Association were awarded a Consultative group on international agricultural research award.

Reid left the International Livestock Research Institute in 2008, and joined Colorado State University, where she was appointed Director of the Center for Collaborative Conservation at the Warner College of Natural Resources.

Awards and honors Reid was elected to the National Academy of Sciences in 2021.

Selected publications