Current Members
Eduardo Robleto
My research focuses on bacterial physiology and genetics. I am particularly interested in elucidating cellular processes that generate mutations in non-replicating cells and how cells adapt to stressful environments. I am passionate about diversity and inclusion. I believe that providing the right mentorship empowers students of all backgrounds.
Education
Ph.D., University of Wisconsin-Madison
M. Sc., University of Wisconsin-Madison
B. Sc., Escuela Agricola Panamericana
Graduate Students
Jessica Grifaldo
I am currently working on elucidating the role of Mfd in Bacillus subtilis and its influence on the expression of genes related to swimming motility. I am active in outreach and making science more accessible to underrepresented communities in STEM. If I’m not in the lab, I can usually be found at a rave or bird watching with my puppy and fiancé.
NSF GRFP Fellow
ASM Ambassador
Education
B.Sc., Cell & Molecular Biology, California State University-Long Beach (2022)
Contact
Future Plans
Become a professor at an R2 university and continue going to raves.
Sam Schauf
I am interested in fighting infectious disease & antibiotic resistance. I am also passionate about science and education. My project currently focuses on ComEA, a transmembrane protein with a role in DNA transformation during the Bacillus subtilis competent state. I aim to investigate the relationship ComEA has with oxidative stress, and if a relationship exists with Mfd, a transcription-coupled repair factor protein also found to be linked to oxidative stress.
Education
B.Sc., Microbiology, University of Wisconsin-Madison (2017)
Contact
Future Plans
Become a professor that does research in infectious disease and promote the importance of science education!
M.Sc. in Microbiology (2023 – Present)
Gabriel Strong-Lundquist
I am interested in studying plant-microbe interactions. My current research is to investigate how genetic differences in microbes can affect the production of plant growth hormones.
NSF REPS Awardee, ASM Future Leaders Mentorship Fellow
Education
B.Sc., Microbiology, University of Nevada, Las Vegas (2023)
Ph.D. Student (2025 – Present)
Alberto Alarcon
*Under construction*
Education
B.Sc., Biological Sciences, University of Nevada, Las Vegas (2024)
Undergraduate Students / Researchers
Nicole Bacani
I am interested in the effect of Mfd on the soil survivability of Bacillus subtilis. The project I work on focuses on testing whether the presence of the mfd gene affects soil survivability in sterile and non-sterile soil conditions. We are currently focused on working with organic garden soil, but we hope to incorporate other soil types to test if the mfd gene affects survivability differently in different soil mediums.
Education
B.Sc., Biological Sciences, UNLV (2020-2024)
Contact
https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicole-bacani-b75ab3232
Future Plans
Apply to medical school and pursue a career as a health professional.
Amber Callaway
I am interested in the role of Mfd as a modulator of endospore formation in Bacillus subtilis. I want my future research to get more involved in stem cell pathways and eukaryotic pathogenesis. After completing my undergraduate education, I hope to go on to graduate school to pursue a PhD and work in clinical research.
NSF Pipe-UP Epscor Program, NV INBRE Service Award
Education
B.Sc., Biology, UNLV (2022- Present)
Merika Charupoom
Merika is currently a research assistant for multiple grants at the Kirk Kerkorian School of Medicine at UNLV and UNLV School of Public Health. Her research interests include global health, women’s health, and epidemiology. Outside of public health research, she is volunteering her time in the Robleto lab. Her current project is on Mfd’s role in soil survivability and fitness. Merika has been involved in the lab since January of 2023.
Education
B.Sc., Public Health, UNLV (Spring 2023)
Masters of Public Health, UNLV (Fall 2023 – present)
Carmina Chavez
I am interested in investigating the production of a plant growth hormone called indole-3-acetic acid in our lab’s model organism, Bacillus subtilis.
Idaho INBRE Rain Fellowship Award (2023, 2024), SNNA-LSAMP Undergraduate Research Program (2024), UNLV Noyce Teaching Scholarship Program (2024).
Education
B.Sc., Microbiology with minor in Secondary Education, UNLV (2021 – Present)
Contact
https://www.linkedin.com/in/carmina-chavez-93b781256
Future Plans
Be a high school teacher in CCSD for a few years and then go onto pursue a PhD in Dairy Sciences
Marvin Gomez
My project is on understanding Mfd’s role in the long-term evolution of Bacillus subtilis. I joined the lab in October 2024 as part of SNNA-LSAMP.
SNNA-LSAMP Undergraduate Research Program (Fall 2024)
Education
B.Sc., Biology, UNLV (2023 – Present)
Contact
Elena Marcos
I am interested in studying Rifampicin resistant B. subtilis mutants and the subsequent effects on gene expression.
NSF REU Site: Mechanisms of Evolution (2024)
Education
B.Sc., Biochemistry, UNLV (2021-Present)
Contact
Valerie Perez
I am interested in the effects of Mfd on the expression of certain genes part of different DNA repair systems in B. subtilis.
NSF REU Site: Mechanisms of Evolution (2024), SNNA-LSAMP UGR (Spring 2025)
Education
B.Sc., Biological Sciences (2022 – Present)
Contact
Angeline Roldan
I am interested in molecular biology and genetics. I am currently on a pre-professional track for my Biology degree at UNLV, but am open to pursuing a Ph.D. or other careers in biology. Currently, I am investigating the role of ComEA in oxidative stress in Bacillus subtilis with Sam Schauf.
SNNA-LSAMP Undergraduate Research Program (Fall 2024)
Education
B.Sc., Biological Sciences, UNLV (2024 – Present)
Contact
roldaa1@unlv.nevada.edu
Khristian Rosales
I am interested in how Mfd affects mRNA stability and motility in Bacillus subtilis.
Education
B.Sc., Biological Sciences, UNLV (2019-Present)
Zoe Strasser
My project is on understanding Mfd’s role in the long-term evolution of Bacillus subtilis. I joined the lab in October 2024 as part of SNNA-LSAMP.
SNNA-LSAMP Undergraduate Research Program (Fall 2024)
Education
B.Sc., Biological Sciences (2021 – present)
Contact
Lab Alumni
Name
Type
Years
Post Leaving the Lab
Last Known Position
Undergraduate Research Assistant / Webmaster (2023-2025)
Mar. 2022 – June 2025
Alexandra Guillen
SNNA-LSAMP Undergraduate Researcher
Spring 2025
UNLV Undergraduate Student (B.Sc. Biological Sciences)
Syntia Lemba
SNNA-LSAMP Undergraduate Researcher
Spring 2025
UNLV Undergraduate Student (B.Sc. Biological Sciences)
Troy Dizon
SNNA-LSAMP Undergraduate Researcher
Fall 2024
UNLV Undergraduate Student (B.Sc. Biological Sciences)
Andres Sotelo
Undergraduate Researcher
Sep. 2023 – Jan. 2025
Nursing School Student
Undergraduate Researcher
Apr. 2023 – Jul. 2024
Postdoctoral Fellow
Jan. 2022 – Sept. 2023
CONAHCYT Postdoc @ UNAM Institute of Biotechnology with Dr. Gustavo Pedraza
CONAHCYT Postdoc @ UNAM Institute of Biotechnology with Dr. Gustavo Pedraza
Visiting Undergraduate Researcher from UCLA
Jul-Sep 2022
Completion of B.Sc. in Environmental Science, Conservation Biology Minor, @ UCLA
Outreach & Communications @ Climate Resolve
Graduate Student
2008 – 2020
Postdoctoral associate UCSF (VA hospital)
Tatiana Ermi
Graduate Student
2017 – 2020
University Medical Center lab technician – Las Vegas
UNR Medical School
Graduate Student
2013 – 2022
Postdoctoral Fellow @ NYU with Dr. Evgeny Nudler
Postdoctoral Fellow @ NYU with Dr. Evgeny Nudler
NSF: REU Summer Research Intern
2021
Undergraduate Research Assistant at CSN
Veterinary Assistant and UNLV undergraduate student
Adrianna Perez
REU/UROP Summer Research Intern
2021
UNLV Graduate
Unknown
Ana Gabriela Regalado Garcia
Undergraduate Researcher
2020-2021
UNLV Graduate
Pharmacist
REU Intern
2019
Complete Bachelors at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
Microbiology graduate student at Brody School of Medicine at East Carolina University
REU Intern
2019
Completed B.S. Biochemistry (Chemistry) at the College of Idaho
PhD Student (Molecular Cellular & Developmental Biology) at UC Boulder
Kacie Singer
Undergraduate volunteer
2019
unknown
Clinical Research Coordinator, Las Vegas Medical Research Center
Undergraduate volunteer
2018
Completed Bachelors at UNLV
MD Candidate at the UNLV Kirk Kerkorian School of Medicine
REU Intern
2018
Completed Bachelors at Dominican University of New York
PhD Candidate at State University of New York Upstate Medical University
Hon Wai Lam
Volunteer
2017
Unknown
M.D.
Damien Ortega
Volunteer
2016
Unknown
M.D.
Graduate Student
2016
Substitute Teacher at Poway Unified School District
Marketing Manager at Veracyte Inc
Moises Bravo
Volunteer
2016
Unknown
M.D.
Brent Waldron
Volunteer
2015
Unknown
M.D.
Amanda Kidman, M.Sc.
Graduate Student
2016
Lab Technician at UNLV
unknown
Graduate Student
2008-2010
Research Assistant at Nevada Cancer Institute
Teacher at West Career and Technical Academy
M. Sc. Graduate Student
2007-2010
PharmD at Oregon State University
Clinical Pharmacist at UCSD Health
Katila Varivan, M.Sc.
Graduate Student
Grad. 2009
Pharmacist in Las Vegas, NV
Unknown
Graduate Student
Grad. 2008
Faculty at UNLV School of Dental Medicine
Asst. Professor of Microbiology within UNLV School of Dental Medicine
Rowena Manalang
Graduate Student
Grad. 2008
Unknown
Unknown
Graduate Student
Grad. 2004
Teacher at Desert Pines HS in LV, NV
Teacher at Desert Pines HS in LV, NV
Angela Hill, M.A.S.
Masters Student
2003-2004
Ph.D. program
unknown
