Well-deserved recognition for one of our leading researchers and mentors, James Roberts.
The Society for Reproductive Investigation is the largest Reproductive Sciences / OBGYN research society worldwide. During their annual meeting this past March in Orlando, Dr. Jim Roberts was selected to receive the Lifetime Distinguished Service Award. This special recognition is intended to recognize an individual who has made outstanding contributions to the Society for Reproductive Investigation, and significant contributions to the field of reproductive medicine and women’s health.
Dr. Roberts has been a researcher for more than 40 years and was the founding director of the Magee-Womens Research Institute in 1993. “I had the opportunity to start the Institute with about six investigators and we had about 100 when I stepped down as director,” Roberts said. “One of the things I’m most proud of is how I’ve mentored people throughout my career. I think I’ve trained 60 or 70 people. About 80% of them are still in academic careers and making great contributions to research.”
He currently is involved in global health research and is a member of the Management Committee of the Bill and Melinda Gates funded, Pre-eclampsia and Eclampsia monitoring prevention and treatment (PRE-EMPT) study. He also heads the Global Pregnancy Collaboration, a consortium of 34 centers world wide that facilitates collaborative research.
“While SRI has a number of senior members who qualify for this prestigious award, it is hard for me to think of anybody who can match Jim in his outstanding contributions to the field of reproductive biology, unwavering dedication to mentoring of current and future scholars, and an overall true commitment to academics,” said Yoel Sadovsky, MD, Executive Director, Magee-Womens Research Institute. “All of us at MWRI have been most fortunate to be Jim’s colleagues and friends, and to be inspired by everything that he represents.”