معرفی
Michael Romero is a Professor in the Department of Biology at Tufts University's School of Arts and Sciences, with an adjunct appointment in the Department of Infectious Disease and Global Health. His research focuses on vertebrate stress physiology and field endocrinology, particularly how wild animals cope with environmental stressors like predators, storms, and human activities. He integrates physiology, ecology, and neuroscience in his studies, emphasizing the dual roles of stress as both harmful and beneficial.
Education:
- PhD in Biology, Stanford University (1993)
- MS in Biology, Stanford University (1992)
- BA in Biology, Swarthmore College (1988)
Research Interests: Wild animal stress responses are explored through field and lab studies. His team investigates how stress hormones like corticosterone help survival in natural habitats, with applications to conservation. Key areas include:
- Stress physiology in birds, reptiles, and amphibians
- Feather corticosterone as a long-term stress marker
- Chronic stress in captive vs. wild animals
- Ecological and evolutionary implications of stress adaptation
Publications & Awards: His work spans 300+ articles, including foundational studies on the reactive scope model and conservation endocrinology. He received the Bern Prize in Comparative Endocrinology (2019) and has led NSF-funded projects on stress in Galapagos marine iguanas and endangered species.
Teaching & Mentorship: Courses include Endocrinology, Field Endocrinology seminars, and graduate research supervision. He mentors students in lab rotations and capstone projects, emphasizing hands-on ecological physiology research.
Labs & Collaborations: The Romero Lab at Tufts collaborates globally on projects like stress in Andean condors and captive bird welfare. They pioneer non-invasive monitoring tools, such as eutectogel-coated threads for real-time physiological tracking.
