New River Valley Times

A career built on science and service

Using the best available science to inform public policy and sound decision-making has been a guiding theme for William Hopkins’ career of service at Virginia Tech.“Science can be a powerful force for good and a critical service to society,” said Hopkins, a professor of fish and wildlife conservation in the College of Natural Resources and Environment and associate executive director of the Fralin Life Sciences Institute. “I have been extremely fortunate to have opportunities to share the best available science with decision makers on a diversity of topics.”Over his 18-year tenure at Virginia Tech, Hopkins has embodied the university’s motto, Ut Prosim (That I May Serve), representing Virginia Tech in advisory capacities at the local, state, national, and international levels on issues pertaining to waste management and pollution, water resources, and the global decline of biodiversity.“When it comes to the conservation and management of natural resources, the job is really not complete until the science has been communicated to and considered in policy decisions,” said Joel Snodgrass, department head and professor for the Department of Fish and Wildlife Conservation. “Dr. Hopkins has taken this very important step to heart through his service and detailed communication and synthesis of scientific findings to both state and federal agencies.”But Hopkins’ greatest passion and the underlying motivation for all of his scholarly work relates to water resources and the conservation of biodiversity. For example, he served as an expert on the Species Status Assessment Committee for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service that critically evaluated the state of the science regarding mysterious declines of one of North America’s most unique salamanders. The committee’s comprehensive assessment resulted in the species receiving federal protection under the Endangered Species Act in an isolated portion of its range. 

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