Graduate Students


The Romo Lab is located in the Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology and participates in the following graduate programs:

Molecular Microbiology and Immunology (MMI) Doctoral Program
Biology M.S. Degree Program

Students apply directly to individual programs and not specific labs. During the first year, doctoral students in the MMI program rotate through four labs in the Department before making their decision on which lab to join.

Here are a few things to consider:

1. If you are interested in a specific lab, maintain communication with that PI throughout your rotations.
2. Pay attention to lab dynamics, mentoring style, available projects, productivity, and alignment of values. Talk to lab members about being part of that lab, support from the mentor, etc.
3. Assess your needs as a trainee and future professional. Will you be able to get the training you would need and accomplish your goals?
4. Talk to the PI about your goals and needs. Make sure to discuss financial support if you were to join that lab.

The Romo lab recently joined the MMI Department (Fall of 2022) and will begin accepting students during the 2022-2023 rotation cycle.

Graduate students will have the opportunity to embark on projects involving murine models of gastrointestinal infection, differentiated human epithelium models, polymicrobial biofilms and more! Refer to the Research page for a list and description of research areas of interest. Graduate students will receive personalized high-impact mentoring, professional development opportunities, and career trajectory advice.

Each member of the Romo lab will undergo a detailed lab on-boarding process and will develop both a mentoring compact and IDP with the support of Dr. Romo.

Resources for graduate students:
UTSA Graduate School
Choosing a lab for PhD training
Choosing and joining a lab (Harvard)

Undergraduates

While the Romo lab participates in the Bachelor's of Science Degree in Microbiology and Immunology program, we welcome undergraduate students from any related program.

Undergraduates will be exposed to a variety of basic microbiological and cell culturing techniques, microscopy, polymicrobial biofilms, drug screening, and microbiota analyses. Moreover, undergraduates, just like all members of the Romo lab, will receive personalized mentoring, professional development opportunities, and career trajectory advice.

Resources for undergraduate students:
Office of undergraduate research (UTSA)
Tips for your first undergraduate research experience (ASBMB)
A student's guide to undergraduate research (Nature)
5 tips to get the most out of four years of undergrad research (UT Austin)

Postdoctoral Scholars

Please email Dr. Jesús A. Romo with inquiries regarding postdoctoral opportunities in the Romo Lab.

Other Potential Members

We welcome community college students, foreign exchange students, interns, international students, post-bac researchers, and high school students. Please send me an email to discuss available options and arrangements.

For more information about available programs and support, please visit the following UTSA websites
Office of Undergraduate Research 
Education Abroad
International Student Aid Options