Lab Leadership
Principal Investigator Adriana L. Romero-Olivares leads the lab. The P.I. shapes the research direction, mentors team members, and steers projects from first questions all the way to publication. Whether you want to collaborate, join the lab, or learn more about a particular project, the P.I. is your first point of contact.
Postdoctoral Research Associates
Postdocs in the lab pursue their own independent research questions while contributing to the lab's wider mission. They plan and run experiments, analyze data, mentor graduate and undergraduate researchers, and get results ready for publication. Postdoctoral openings are posted whenever funding allows; interested applicants are encouraged to get in touch with a CV and a brief statement of research interests.
Graduate Students
Graduate students sit at the heart of the lab's work. Each student builds a thesis or dissertation project tied to fungal responses to climate change, microbial ecology, or microbial evolution. Along the way they gain hands-on experience across the full research cycle, from field sampling and lab work to data analysis and scientific writing. Prospective graduate students interested in the Department of Biology at New Mexico State University are encouraged to contact the P.I. before applying to talk through fit and available opportunities.
Undergraduate Researchers
Undergraduates support active projects while developing real research skills. Depending on the project, they may help with sample processing, culturing, data entry and analysis, or literature review. Students curious about fungal ecology who want hands-on experience are welcome to ask about current openings.
How Our Team Works
Our core goal is to produce knowledge that helps with planning for and mitigating global warming, while answering long-standing questions about microbial ecology and how ecosystem-level changes affect biogeochemical cycles. Since that mission spans both field and laboratory work, lab members operate across disciplines and collaborate closely. Regular lab meetings, shared protocols, and joint analysis sessions keep projects on track and ensure every member has a voice in the science.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who leads the Fungal Ecology Lab?
P.I. Adriana L. Romero-Olivares directs the lab.
Where is the lab based?
The lab is located in the Department of Biology at New Mexico State University.
What does the lab study?
We study how fungi respond and adapt to global climate change, which lets us assess the effects on ecosystems and tackle key questions in microbial ecosystem ecology and microbial evolution.
How can I join the lab?
Reach out to the P.I. with a brief description of your background and interests. Openings for postdocs, graduate students, and undergraduates depend on funding and departmental timelines.
Can I collaborate with the lab?
Yes. We welcome inquiries from researchers whose interests align with fungal ecology, climate change, and microbial evolution.
Join or Collaborate
📍 New Mexico State University, Department of Biology
Interested in joining the lab or exploring a collaboration? Reach out to the P.I. with a short note about your background and research interests, and we will follow up about fit and current opportunities.