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Karen A. Roberto

Founding Executive Director
  • University Distinguished Professor

SUMMARY

Dr. Karen A. Roberto is a nationally and internationally recognized scholar in gerontology. Through sustained external funding and collaborative scholarship, she has strengthened the scientific foundations of aging research while elevating Virginia Tech’s visibility as a leader in gerontology. Her research focuses on health and social support in late life and includes studies of health-related experiences of rural older women, family relationships and dementia caregiving, and elder abuse.

RESEARCH IMPACT

External Funding: $12.5M

Publications: Over 245 peer-reviewed articles and scholarly book chapters and 17 edited/authored books (See Karen Roberto's Bibliography)

  • H-index of 52 (Google Scholar); 9580+ citations; 22 publications cited 100+ times each

Presentations: 350 juried conference presentations; 33 invited international and 63 invited national keynote and plenary presentations, lectures, and panels

STUDENT IMPACT

  • Chaired 13 and served on 60+ additional PhD committees; Chaired 10 and served on 30+ additional MA/MS committees
  • Distinguished Mentorship in Gerontology Award, Behavioral and Social Sciences Section, Gerontological Society of America

UNIVERSITY IMPACT

As Executive Director of the Institute for Society, Culture and Environment (ISCE), Dr. Roberto leads Virginia Tech’s flagship investment institute for interdisciplinary social science research and advances the university’s commitment to addressing complex societal challenges through collaborative, high impact scholarship. Under her leadership, ISCE has significantly strengthened faculty grant competitiveness, expanded strategic research development support, launched interdisciplinary research collaborations and programs, and fostered partnerships that enhance faculty’s capacity to generate high-quality, actionable research that translates evidence into meaningful individual, community, and societal solutions. She is deeply committed to supporting and mentoring faculty at all ranks and career stages, promoting team‑based research, and cultivating interdisciplinary teams. Through these efforts, Dr. Roberto continues to elevate Virginia Tech’s national and international profile as a leader in innovative, solutions oriented social science research and scholarship.