He is a clinical psychologist specializing in behavioral medicine and obesity research. Binks received his Ph.D. in clinical psychology from Fairleigh Dickenson University, trained at the Bronx VA Medical Center and completed pre- and postdoctoral training in behavioral medicine at the Medical University of South Carolina. He is formerly an assistant professor at Duke University Medical Center, Division of Medical Psychology. He was director of behavioral health, research, and new business and strategic alliances at the Duke Diet & Fitness Center.