Robin Corbet obtained a PhD in high-energy astrophysics from University College London at their Mullard Space Science Laboratory.
He subsequently continued his astronomical research at Oxford University, the Japanese Institute of Space and Astronautical Science, and Pennsylvania State University. He is now a Senior Research Scientist at the University of Maryland, Baltimore County, based at the NASA Goddard Space Flight Center where he works with the Fermi Gamma-ray Space Telescope.
His research centers on binary star systems containing black holes or neutron stars, where the incredibly strong gravitational and magnetic fields result in the production of X-rays and gamma rays. He has also explored new approaches for undertaking the Search for Extra-Terrestrial Intelligence (SETI). At MICA, Robin Corbet co-teaches the astro-animation class, and he seeks ways to build bridges between science and art.