Dr. Roberts was one of the first woman laboratory chiefs at NIH and ranked in the top 50 most-cited scientists in the world. Her seminal work on the molecule TGF-beta catalyzed major advances in the basic scientific understanding of the processes involved in cancer and wound healing. She was also widely recognized as an outstanding mentor, encouraging and inspiring young scientists. In recognition of her commitment to mentoring, Dr. Roberts’ family and lab colleagues established two travel scholarships to allow graduate students and postdoctoral fellows to present their work at the annual Keystone Symposium. These scholarships are a fitting tribute to Dr. Roberts’ passion for encouraging the career development of young scientists.

Dr. Roberts was also a passionate gardener who delighted in the natural world. The National Cancer Institute constructed a memorial garden in her honor in the heart of the NIH campus, not only to provide a small pocket of increased bio-diversity, but also to create a welcoming outdoor gathering space for people to meet and exchange ideas.