Rachel Roberts serves as an Academic Advisor at the Bredesen Center, providing support and student development to graduate students in UT-ORII’s three interdisciplinary doctoral programs: Energy Science and Engineering, Data Science and Engineering, and Genome Science and Technology. 

Roberts is from Atlanta and graduated from Kennesaw State University with a BA in English and the University of Tennessee Knoxville with a MS in Higher Education Administration. She has lived in Knoxville since 2013. Before joining the Bredesen Center, Roberts served the UT Health Science Center for seven years in graduate medical education. She has over a decade of experience in higher education. 

Roberts was drawn to the Bredesen Center for its interdisciplinary nature and ability to bridge various departments across campus in collaboration with ORNL. She enjoys engaging with diverse student populations and fostering their relationship in research. In her free time, she enjoys supporting the Vols and Atlanta Braves.