People – The Robleto Lab

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

Contact

eduardo.robleto@unlv.edu

Faculty Profile

https://www.unlv.edu/people/eduardo-robleto

Twitter

https://twitter.com/eduardo_robleto

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

Co-president, ASM Student Chapter at UNLV (2023-2026)

Education

B.Sc., Cell & Molecular Biology, California State University-Long Beach (2022)

Contact

grifaldo@unlv.nevada.edu

Future Plans

Become a professor at an R2 university and continue going to raves.

Ph.D. Student (2023 – Present)

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

schauf@unlv.nevada.edu

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

Vice President, ASM Student Chapter at UNLV (2023-2025)

Education

B.Sc., Microbiology, University of Nevada, Las Vegas (2023)

Contact

stronglu@unlv.nevada.edu

Future Plans

Pursue a PhD in Plant Microbiology.

Ph.D. Student (2025 – Present)

Alberto Alarcon

My research focuses on identifying differences in Mfd expression at the single-cell level and its role in influencing cellular differentiation in Bacillus subtilis. I am also interested in investigating the fitness cost of antibiotic-resistant Bacillus subtilis strains and its effect on Mfd-regulated pathways.

INBRE Core Service Award

GPSA Sponsorship Award

Vice President, ASM Student Chapter at UNLV (Present)

Education

B.Sc., Biological Sciences, University of Nevada, Las Vegas (2024)

Contact

alarca5@unlv.nevada.edu

Future Plans

Enter the biotechnology industry and lead a research team!

Undergraduate Students / Researchers

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.

EPSCoR Fellow (2025)

SNNA-LSAMP UGR (Spring 2025)

NSF REU Site: Mechanisms of Evolution (2024)

Education

B.Sc., Biological Sciences (2022 – Present)

Contact

perezv14@unlv.nevada.edu

Future Plans

Apply to Physician Assistant programs!

Elena Marcos

I am interested in studying Rifampicin resistant B. subtilis mutants and the subsequent effects on gene expression.

EPSCoR Fellow (2026)

NSF REU Site: Mechanisms of Evolution (2024)

Education

B.Sc., Biochemistry, UNLV (2021 – Present)

Contact

marcoe1@unlv.nevada.edu

Future Plans

TBD

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.

EPSCoR Fellow (2025)

SNNA-LSAMP Undergraduate Research Program (Fall 2024)

Education

B.Sc., Biological Sciences (2021 – present)

Contact

strasz1@unlv.nevada.edu

Future Plans

TBD

Angeline Roldan

I am interested in molecular biology and genetics. Currently, I am investigating how Mfd-regulated systems are affected by rifampicin resistance mutations.

Current Webmaster (Spring 2026)

EPSCoR Fellow (2026)

SNNA-LSAMP Undergraduate Research Program (Fall 2024)

Education

B.Sc., Biological Sciences, UNLV (2024 – Present)

Contact

roldaa1@unlv.nevada.edu

Future Plans

Get my Master of Science in Anesthesia!

Armando G.

Under Construction

Education

B.Sc., Biological Sciences, UNLV (2021 – Present)

Contact

Future Plans

Akela Custodio

I am interested in expanding my knowledge of molecular biology and gaining hands-on research experience. My training focuses on developing proficiency in aseptic techniques, sterilization procedures, and other fundamental laboratory skills.

Education

B.Sc., Biological Sciences, UNLV (2025 – Present)

Contact

Future Plans

Apply to Physician Assistant programs!

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

chavec14@unlv.nevada.edu

LinkedIn

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

Lab Alumni

Name

Role

Years

Post Leaving the Lab

Last Known Position