Dr. Romero is an Associate Professor in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at the University of Chicago. Her research program focuses on identifying novel interventions for ovarian cancer prevention and treatment. To approach this her lab evaluates the cancer protective effects of medications that are widely used for non-cancer indications. Given the high cost and difficulty of new cancer drug development, drug repurposing or taping into the anti-carcinogenic potential of economical and widely used drugs is an important paradigm shift in cancer research. Her research program integrate of in vitro cancer biology techniques, mouse models of ovarian cancer and human clinical data and samples. Using this integrated approach, her group has reported anti-ovarian cancer effects of two commonly used medications: metformin used for diabetes and statins used for high cholesterol. Complementary to her research endeavors, Dr. Romero’s clinical practice provides comprehensive obstetrical and gynecological care to women at high risk for gynecologic malignancies, including those with a genetic predisposition to cancer.
University of Utah
UT
- Ob/Gyn
2005
Hershey Medical Center
PA
- Ob/Gyn
2003
University of New Mexico
NM
MD - MD
2001
Investigating Fumarate Hydratase-Deficient Uterine Fibroids: A Case Series.
Investigating Fumarate Hydratase-Deficient Uterine Fibroids: A Case Series. J Clin Med. 2023 Aug 22; 12(17).
PMID: 37685503
Changes in numbers and academic ranks of Hispanic faculty in departments of obstetrics and gynecology.
Changes in numbers and academic ranks of Hispanic faculty in departments of obstetrics and gynecology. Am J Obstet Gynecol. 2023 Aug 20.
PMID: 37607603
An Accessible Communication System for Population-Based Genetic Testing: Development and Usability Study.
An Accessible Communication System for Population-Based Genetic Testing: Development and Usability Study. JMIR Form Res. 2022 Oct 17; 6(10):e34055.
PMID: 36251350
Using Social Media to Facilitate Communication About Women's Testing: Tool Validation Study.
Using Social Media to Facilitate Communication About Women's Testing: Tool Validation Study. JMIR Form Res. 2022 Sep 26; 6(9):e35035.
PMID: 36155347
Prenatal Diethylstilbestrol Exposure and Cancer Risk in Males.
Prenatal Diethylstilbestrol Exposure and Cancer Risk in Males. Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev. 2021 10; 30(10):1826-1833.
PMID: 34272263
Obstetrics and Gynecology Resident Physician Experiences with Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Queer Healthcare Training.
Obstetrics and Gynecology Resident Physician Experiences with Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Queer Healthcare Training. Med Sci Educ. 2021 Apr; 31(2):599-606.
PMID: 34457914
Adipocyte-Induced FABP4 Expression in Ovarian Cancer Cells Promotes Metastasis and Mediates Carboplatin Resistance.
Adipocyte-Induced FABP4 Expression in Ovarian Cancer Cells Promotes Metastasis and Mediates Carboplatin Resistance. Cancer Res. 2020 04 15; 80(8):1748-1761.
PMID: 32054768
Mesothelial Cell HIF1a Expression Is Metabolically Downregulated by Metformin to Prevent Oncogenic Tumor-Stromal Crosstalk.
Mesothelial Cell HIF1a Expression Is Metabolically Downregulated by Metformin to Prevent Oncogenic Tumor-Stromal Crosstalk. Cell Rep. 2019 12 17; 29(12):4086-4098.e6.
PMID: 31851935
A Pan-ALDH1A Inhibitor Induces Necroptosis in Ovarian Cancer Stem-like Cells.
A Pan-ALDH1A Inhibitor Induces Necroptosis in Ovarian Cancer Stem-like Cells. Cell Rep. 2019 03 12; 26(11):3061-3075.e6.
PMID: 30865894
SPHK1 Is a Novel Target of Metformin in Ovarian Cancer.
SPHK1 Is a Novel Target of Metformin in Ovarian Cancer. Mol Cancer Res. 2019 04; 17(4):870-881.
PMID: 30655321