Michael F. Romero

Michael F. Romero, Ph.D., is a Professor and Consultant in the Department of Physiology & Biomedical Engineering at Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, with a joint appointment in the Division of Nephrology & Hypertension. He leads the Transporter Biology and Physiology Laboratory, focusing on the molecular mechanisms of ion and solute transport in health and disease, particularly in kidney function. His research aims to understand the pathophysiology of kidney disease, acidosis, diabetes, and polycystic kidney disease.

Dr. Romero earned his Ph.D. from Case Western Reserve University and completed postdoctoral training at Yale University. He has been recognized with a Mayo Clinic Presidential Discovery Award and is a Fellow of the American Physiological Society since 2022.

His research spans multiple areas including Na+-coupled bicarbonate transporters, Drosophila models of kidney stones, genetically encoded ion sensors, and preclinical ultrasound imaging. His lab investigates the roles of sodium, bicarbonate, hydrogen, chloride, oxalate, and CO2 in cellular physiology. He has pioneered the use of fruit fly models to accelerate research on nephrolithiasis due to their rapid crystal formation.

Analysis of his recent publications (2020–2025) reveals a strong focus on transporter biology, particularly SLC4 and SLC26 families, using innovative models like Drosophila and zebrafish. His work integrates molecular physiology, genetics, imaging, and bioengineering to understand disease mechanisms and develop clinical tools. Key themes include acid-base balance, oxalate metabolism, mitochondrial function in beta cells, and novel imaging techniques for polycystic kidney disease.

• Fellow, American Physiological Society (2022–present)
• Presidential Discovery Award, Mayo Clinic (2019)
• Associate Editor, Kidney360 (2019–present)
• Editorial Board, Hypertension (2022–present)

Dr. Romero is actively involved in mentoring and education, serving as Principal Investigator for the Mayo Clinic Nephrology & Urology Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship (nuSURF) and faculty for the TREKS program. He has received continuous NIH funding, including grants from NIDDK, for projects on kidney cell function, metabolic reprogramming in diabetes, and Drosophila-based nephrolithiasis research. His lab develops novel tools such as genetically encoded pH sensors and robotic ultrasound for preclinical assessment.

His laboratory, the Transporter Biology and Physiology Lab, utilizes cutting-edge approaches including cell, fly, and mouse models, fluorescent imaging, and molecular cloning to study transporter function at multiple biological levels. The lab collaborates widely across disciplines to translate basic findings into clinical applications for kidney and metabolic diseases.