William A. Hopkins, associate professor of fish and wildlife conservation within Virginia Tech’s College of Natural Resources and Environment, holds a 40-year-old snapping turtle in his lab at Latham Hall.

The turtle was found in the Virginia Tech Duck Pond. Hopkins explained that turtles can be used to detect levels of mercury contamination.

We interviewed Hopkins for a video we’re working on, but a photo opportunity like this was too good to pass up. The professor and his students are doing some amazing work both in the field and in what Hopkins describes as “state of the science” labs at Latham Hall, a fairly new research facility named in honor of a couple who have generously supported research at Virginia Tech.

Click on the photo above to learn more about the Lathams.