After more than a decade in the college’s Department of Fish and Wildlife Conservation, Jamie Roberts (’03 M.S. and ’12 Ph.D. fisheries and wildlife science) has moved on to a position as assistant professor of fisheries at Georgia Southern University.

“Jamie’s contributions over the past 10 years have been invaluable,” said Restoration Biologist Jess Jones. “From teaching to research to his work with our graduate and undergraduate students, he has pushed forward the college’s mission.” He also engaged in frequent outreach, especially with children from schools and 4-H.

“Overall, Jamie is perhaps the most capable, well-rounded scholar I’ve advised in my 26 years here,” said Professor Paul Angermeier, Roberts’ advisor.

Over the course of his extensive study of Roanoke logperch, Roberts significantly expanded the science of the species, detailing life history, population structure, and basic biological information. He is now considered the world’s foremost expert on the endangered fish.

“His research results inform management efforts by the Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to conserve imperiled species,” said Professor Eric Hallerman, Roberts’ co-advisor.

Roberts’ education efforts were equally impactful. He taught both undergraduate- and graduate-level courses while helping graduate students give shape to their ideas and get their research off the ground. “By the end of his time here, he was teaching his mentors,” added Hallerman. “That is the mark of an exceptional mentee.”

“Jamie’s presence in the college will be missed,” emphasized Jones. “We hope Virginia Tech has been a great launching point for the exciting career ahead of him.”