These Snakes Work For You: Natural History Collections & Their Position in the Public Trust

Upon entering the Virginia Museum of Natural History (VMNH), or almost any natural history museum, you are immediately surrounded by exhibits, knowledge, and history of this planet and region that have been curated specifically for public interaction and enjoyment. But where do all the locked doors lead? What are these 'curators' doing behind these doors? What does research look like at a museum? In this talk, Dr. Roberts will discuss the research collections of the VMNH, specifically the reptiles and amphibians that he curates. He will discuss ongoing research projects he is leading in the Commonwealth, and how these projects (and their collections) benefit and involve the public.

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Speaker: Jackson Roberts, Assistant Curator of Herpetology at Virginia Museum of Natural History:

Dr. Jackson Roberts joined the Virginia Museum of Natural History in June 2026 from the Sternberg Museum of Natural History in Kansas where he was the Zoological Collections Manager. Jackson completed his doctorate on snake evolution and biodiversity in New Guinea at the Louisiana State University Museum of Natural Sciences. As the new Assistant Curator of Herpetology at VMNH, he is set to play a leading role in researching the reptiles and amphibians residing right here in Virginia.

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