Roberto Esser dos Reis, is a Brazilian ichthyologist, professor and Curator of Fishes at the Pontifical Catholic University of Rio Grande do Sul. Among other duties, Reis has been working at the University of São Paulo, Brazil, the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, and the University of Central Florida, Orlando, Florida, United States. Most of his research as an ichthyologist regards different types of South American catfish. He is also chair for South America of the Freshwater Fish Specialist Group, Species Survival Commission, and advises the IUCN on the biological aspects of the conservation of threatened species.