Reade Roberts

Reade Roberts is an Associate Professor and University Faculty Scholar at North Carolina State University's Department of Genetics, serving as Director of the Graduate Program in Genetics. His research focuses on evolutionary genetics, particularly in cichlid fishes, exploring topics such as sexual conflict, genomic architecture, and ecological adaptation. He leads the Genetics and Genomics Academy (GGA) and collaborates with institutions like the Center for Human Health and the Environment (CHHE) and the Functional Genomics group.

His work integrates genomics, developmental biology, and ecology to understand how genetic variation drives morphological and behavioral adaptations. Notable contributions include studies on sex determination mechanisms, trophic adaptation in cichlids, and the genomic basis of pigmentation patterns. Roberts has received the 2020 University Faculty Scholar award recognizing his academic excellence.

His research also extends to conservation biology, analyzing microbiome stability in ex situ cheetah populations and investigating mutation dynamics in Chernobyl dogs. He promotes STEM education through immersive research programs for students.