Education

Ph.D. in Cell and Molecular Biology; University of Texas at San Antonio

Research Interests

The contributions of commensal fungi to human health and disease in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract are not well understood. Candida species such as C. glabrata are opportunistic pathogenic fungi and common colonizers of the human GI tract. They have been shown to affect the host immune system, interact with the gut microbiome and pathogenic microorganisms, and impact bacterial diversity after antibiotic treatment. Therefore, Candida species are expected to play key ecological roles in the host GI tract. The Romo laboratory studies the roles and impact of fungal colonizers of the GI tract during infection by bacterial pathogens such as Clostridioides difficile. C. difficile is an anaerobic, Gram-positive, spore-forming, and toxin-producing bacterial pathogen able to cause mild (antibiotic-associated diarrhea) to potentially fatal GI disease (pseudomembranous colitis, toxic megacolon) primarily in those who are elderly, have been hospitalized, and/or received a course of broad-spectrum antibiotics. Importantly, antibiotic treatment also leads to an expansion of fungi in the GI, setting the stage for transkingdom interactions. To characterize these fungal-bacterial interactions and their impact on disease outcome, we use a combination of murine, human derived cell line, and in vitro models. The knowledge obtained from our studies will uncover novel fungal biology and inform the development of novel therapeutics such as fecal transplants and antimicrobials.

Training Opportunities

Dr. Romo’s laboratory focuses on characterizing interactions between fungi and bacteria in the gastrointestinal tract and how those interactions impact human host health.

Dr. Romo’s laboratory offers research opportunities for trainees at all levels to be trained in a wide range of advanced microbiological techniques including murine models of gastrointestinal infection, differentiated human epithelium models, polymicrobial biofilms, advanced microscopy, working with anaerobic bacteria (Clostridioides difficile) and more. Additionally, trainees will also receive high-impact mentoring and access to professional development opportunities.

Publications

list of publications on ORCID and MyNCBI