Jackson Arthur Roberts, B.S., Class of 2019 Algernon Sydney Sullivan Award Biography

Jackson Roberts, from Kansas City, Missouri, chose to pursue two majors - neuroscience and anthropology - that he says have allowed him to examine who we are as a species from different angles. Jackson has worked in biology professor Natalia Toporikova's research laboratory, performing experiments in reproduction and obesity, since his first year. He also served as a Livesay Research Fellow during the summer 2018 when he constructed a rodent model of diet-induced obesity and infertility.

A poverty studies minor, Jackson had two summer internships with the Shepherd Program - one internship was at a non-profit health clinic in Quito, Ecuador, and the other involved promoting cross-cultural exchange at a local high school in Puerto Morelos, Mexico. He has been a Volunteer Venture leader for the service trip to Richmond, has participated in the Red Cross Club, including a term as president, and has been a member of the Student Health Committee.

Since 2015, Jackson has been on the Youth Advisory Board for Plan International USA, an independent development and humanitarian organization that advances children's rights and equality for girls.

Jackson has served as scholarship chair and vice president of his fraternity, Pi Kappa Phi.

Based on his previous experiences and academic background, Jackson has developed a particular interest in the health care experiences of indigenous groups in the Andean region of South America. He plans to pursue a medical degree in the future in order to pursue a career in medicine focused on public health outreach for vulnerable populations.

Sources: file, personal information
Written by: Jeff Hanna, jhanna@wlu.edu
Updated: May 22, 2019