About

Joy A. Roberts is a Clinical Assistant Professor of Law at Northwestern Pritzker School of Law, where she teaches Communication and Legal Reasoning. She has 17 years of practice experience in private law firms and the government sector, representing employers including public and private corporations, governmental entities, and educational institutions against municipal, employment, and labor claims. Before joining Northwestern Law, she served as an Associate Director of Career Services at the University of Illinois Chicago School of Law, providing academic and career advising to students and alumni, teaching a Success Network Program to first-year law students, moderating career panels, and promoting diverse employment opportunities and professionalism initiatives.

Research topics

• Biology
• Medicine
• Fishery
• Food science
• Pediatrics
• Demography
• Ecology
• Gastroenterology
• Pathology
• Business
• Internal medicine
• Environmental health

Selected publications

• Multi-Annual Dendroclimatic Patterns for the Desert National Wildlife Refuge, Southern Nevada, USA

  Forests · 2025-07-10

  articleOpen accessSenior author

  Ponderosa pine (Pinus ponderosa Lawson & C. Lawson) forests in the western United States have experienced reduced fire frequency since Euro-American settlement, usually because of successful fire suppression policies and even without such human impacts at remote sites in the Great Basin and Mojave Deserts. In an effort to improve our understanding of long-term environmental dynamics in sky-island ecosystems, we developed tree-ring chronologies from ponderosa pines located in the Sheep Mountain Range of southern Nevada, inside the Desert National Wildlife Refuge (DNWR). After comparing those dendrochronological records with other ones available for the south-central Great Basin, we analyzed their climatic response using station-recorded monthly precipitation and air temperature data from 1950 to 2024. The main climatic signal was December through May total precipitation, which was then reconstructed at annual resolution over the past five centuries, from 1490 to 2011 CE. The mean episode duration was 2.6 years, and the maximum drought duration was 11 years (1924–1934; the “Dust Bowl” period), while the longest episode, 19 years (1905–1923), is known throughout North America as the “early 1900s pluvial”. By quantifying multi-annual dry and wet episodes, the period since DNWR establishment was placed in a long-term dendroclimatic framework, allowing us to estimate the potential drought resilience of its unique, tree-dominated environments.

  PublisherOA PDFDOI

• Manufacturing Trials of Pfcs with Low Thermal Conductivity Features for Limiters

  SSRN Electronic Journal · 2024-01-01

  preprintOpen access1st authorCorresponding
  PublisherDOI

• Immunopathogenesis of <i>Campylobacter jejuni</i> infection in a small animal model

  The Journal of Immunology · 2023-05-01

  articleOpen access

  Abstract We set out to develop and characterize a small animal model of Campylobacter jejuni (CJ) infection that recapitulates human campylobacteriosis. Adult C57BL/6J mice are rendered susceptible to colonization and disease by pre-treatment with a zinc deficient diet and a broad-spectrum antibiotic cocktail. We have established this model with four strains with diverse capsular serotypes and flagellar groups, two key virulence factors for CJ pathogenesis. We measured colonization, weight loss, diarrhea, fecal inflammatory markers, and cytokine production by mesenteric lymphocytes and splenocytes. Diarrhea containing visible mucous and/or blood and degree of weight loss vary in severity depending on the strain and dose. Interestingly, we identified an inverse relationship between inoculum dose and levels of fecal inflammatory markers, with lower inoculum doses inducing significantly higher inflammation. We also observed production of IFNγ and IL-17 at day 9 post infection and despite no decrease in CJ colonization, IFNγ and IL-17 levels decreased by day 21 with a subsequent increase in IL-10 production. We also observed higher levels of IFNγ and IL-17 in mice challenged with strain CG8486 relative to those challenged with strain 81–176 pointing to potential strain differences. These differences observed were more striking in mesenteric lymphocytes versus splenocytes, indicating that local cellular responses differed from systemic responses. We have developed a model of inflammatory diarrhea in adult mice that exhibits hallmarks of CJ infection and further identified significant shifts in cytokine expression associated with the duration of infection, bacterial strain utilized, and therapeutic treatment. Research reported in this presentation is supported by Navy work unit number: 6000.RAD1.DA3.A0308 and CARB-X. CARB-X’s funding for this project is sponsored by the Cooperative Agreement Number IDSEP160030 from ASPR/BARDA and by awards from Wellcome Trust, the UK Global Antimicrobial Resistance Innovation Fund (GAMRIF) funded by the UK Government Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) and the Bill &amp; Melinda Gates Foundation. The content is solely the responsibility of the authors and does not necessarily represent the official views of CARB-X or any of its funders. Disclaimers: The views expressed in this work are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the Department of the Navy, Department of Defense, nor the U.S. Government. F. Poly is an employee of the U.S. Government. This work was prepared as part of official duties. Title 17 U.S.C. §105 provides that ‘Copyright protection under this title is not available for any work of the United States Government.’ Title 17 U.S.C. §101 defines a U.S. Government work as a work prepared by a military service member or employee of the U.S. Government as part of that person’s official duties.The animal study protocol was reviewed and approved by the Naval Medical Research Center IACUC in compliance with all applicable Federal regulations governing the protection of animals in research.

  PublisherOA PDFDOI

• Comparing estimates of census and effective population size in an endangered amphibian

  Animal Conservation · 2023-03-28 · 4 citations

  articleOpen accessSenior author

  Abstract The field of conservation has seen a shift in focus from monitoring trends in census population size to trends in ‘effective’ population size. Numerous genetic methods exist for estimating effective population size, resulting in uncertainty among conservation practitioners as to which methods are most appropriate when conducting population assessments or evaluating recovery efforts. Demographic approaches offer a promising avenue to provide a link between census and effective population size using life‐history information, but rarely do studies have all three sources of data (genetic, demographic, life history) necessary to perform an explicit evaluation of their performance. Using data from a long‐term study of reticulated flatwoods salamanders ( Ambystoma bishopi ) in western Florida, USA, we assessed the magnitude of temporal variation in census population sizes and the effective number of breeders of two breeding populations to (1) document changes in the number of breeding adults over the 9‐year study duration, (2) determine whether and provide similar information about population size and trends and (3) compare alternative demographic and genetic approaches for estimating . We found that genetic estimates of , particularly if averaged across multiple estimation methods, closely tracked spatiotemporal variation in . Demographic estimates of also closely tracked but were sensitive to the assumed variance in reproductive success. In the absence of genetic information, detailed knowledge of mating systems and the environmental factors that skew reproductive contributions appear necessary for demographic to reliably inform management decisions. In these populations, appears too small (&lt;40 individuals) to confer long‐term genetic resilience, highlighting the importance of restoring landscape connectivity and indicating that caution must be taken when sourcing animals for reintroduction efforts. More generally, our study reveals insights into the utility of alternative estimation methods in guiding recovery efforts of threatened and endangered species.

  PublisherOA PDFDOI

• Quantum Computing and Machine Learning for Efficiency of Maritime Container Port Operations

  2022-04-28 · 11 citations

  article

  Maritime container ports are experiencing a variety of challenges, including the pandemic and other stressors, that are altering perspectives on efficiency, risk, and resilience. This study reviews new methods of operations optimization that serve major goals of logistics systems: Increasing energy and time efficiencies and reducing emissions and congestion. Several computational methods will be assessed, including quantum computing, neural networks, and operations heuristics. The methods are compared by potential for increased efficiencies, including the increase in container volumes, reduction of dwell times, reduction of container moves, utilization of demand forecasts, and decreases in emissions. The results suggest opportunities for reinforcement learning to improve the scheduling of container transactions across transportation modes, including maritime, truck, rail, crane, and barge.

  PublisherDOI

• Metapopulation genetics of endangered reticulated flatwoods salamanders (Ambystoma bishopi) in a dynamic and fragmented landscape

  Conservation Genetics · 2021 · 10 citations

  Senior authorCorresponding
  • Biology
  • Ecology
  • Demography
  PublisherDOI

• Correction to: Metapopulation genetics of endangered reticulated flatwoods salamanders (Ambystoma bishopi) in a dynamic and fragmented landscape

  Conservation Genetics · 2021-05-15

  articleOpen accessSenior author
  PublisherOA PDFDOI

• Reported neighborhood traffic and the odds of asthma/asthma like symptoms: a cross-sectional analysis of a multi-racial cohort of children

  Research Square · 2020-10-19 · 1 citations

  preprintOpen access
  PublisherOA PDFDOI

• The Clinical Presentation of Culture-positive and Culture-negative, Quantitative Polymerase Chain Reaction (qPCR)-Attributable Shigellosis in the Global Enteric Multicenter Study and Derivation of a <i>Shigella</i> Severity Score: Implications for Pediatric <i>Shigella</i> Vaccine Trials

  Clinical Infectious Diseases · 2020 · 31 citations

  • Medicine
  • Internal medicine
  • Pediatrics

  BACKGROUND: Shigella is a leading cause of childhood diarrhea and target for vaccine development. Microbiologic and clinical case definitions are needed for pediatric field vaccine efficacy trials. METHODS: We compared characteristics of moderate to severe diarrhea (MSD) cases in the Global Enteric Multicenter Study (GEMS) between children with culture positive Shigella to those with culture-negative, quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR)-attributable Shigella (defined by an ipaH gene cycle threshold <27.9). Among Shigella MSD cases, we determined risk factors for death and derived a clinical severity score. RESULTS: Compared to culture-positive Shigella MSD cases (n = 745), culture-negative/qPCR-attributable Shigella cases (n = 852) were more likely to be under 12 months, stunted, have a longer duration of diarrhea, and less likely to have high stool frequency or a fever. There was no difference in dehydration, hospitalization, or severe classification from a modified Vesikari score. Twenty-two (1.8%) Shigella MSD cases died within the 14-days after presentation to health facilities, and 59.1% of these deaths were in culture-negative cases. Age <12 months, diarrhea duration prior to presentation, vomiting, stunting, wasting, and hospitalization were associated with mortality. A model-derived score assigned points for dehydration, hospital admission, and longer diarrhea duration but was not significantly better at predicting 14-day mortality than a modified Vesikari score. CONCLUSIONS: A composite severity score consistent with severe disease or dysentery may be a pragmatic clinical endpoint for severe shigellosis in vaccine trials. Reliance on culture for microbiologic confirmation may miss a substantial number of Shigella cases but is currently required to measure serotype specific immunity.

  PublisherOA PDFDOI

• Commercial fish <scp>ELISA</scp> kits have a limited capacity to detect different fish species and their products

  Journal of the Science of Food and Agriculture · 2020 · 30 citations

  • Fishery
  • Food science
  • Biology

  BACKGROUND: Fish is a major food and allergen source, requiring safety declarations on packages. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs) are often used to ensure that the product meets the required standards with regard to the presence of allergens. Over 1000 different fish species are traded and consumed worldwide, and they are increasingly provided by aquaculture. Up to 3% of the general population is at risk of sometimes fatal allergic reactions to fish, requiring strict avoidance of this commodity. The aim of this study is to evaluate the capacity of three commercially available ELISA tests to detect a wide variety of bony and cartilaginous fish and their products, which is essential to ensure reliable and safe food labeling. RESULTS: The detection rates for 57 bony fish ranged from 26% to 61%. Common European and North American species, including carp, cod, and salmon species, demonstrated a higher detection rate than those from the Asia-Pacific region, including pangasius and several mackerel and tuna species. Among the 17 canned bony fish products, only 65% to 86% were detected, with tuna showing the lowest rate. None of the cartilaginous fish (n = 9), other vertebrates (n = 8), or shellfish (n = 5) were detected. CONCLUSIONS: We demonstrated that three commercial fish ELISA kits had a limited capacity to detect fish and their products. The complexity of fish as a protein source that is increasingly utilized means that there is an urgent need for improved detection methods. This is crucial for the food industry to provide safe seafood products and comply with international legislation. © 2020 Society of Chemical Industry.

  PublisherOA PDFDOI

Frequent coauthors

• Paul L. Angermeier

  35 shared

• Gregory Nastrom

  Applied Radar (United States)

  25 shared

• Kenneth S. Gage

  NOAA Earth System Research Laboratory

  25 shared

• Paul A. Smith

  Wine Australia

  25 shared

• Robert Ryan

  Innovative Imaging and Research (United States)

  25 shared

• Isztar Zawadzki

  McGill University

  25 shared

• John McCarthy

  Lero

  25 shared

• Wsr- d Noaa

  Applied Radar (United States)

  25 shared

Education

• PhD, Fish and Wildlife Conservation

  Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University

Awards & honors

• Teaching Award