Roman Lopez

When and how did you realize that you wanted to study Genetics & Genomics?

As a freshman in college, I became fascinated with the language of DNA and the implications of its interpretation and integrity. Understanding how diseases develop and progress because of faulty DNA is very interesting to me, and employing my skills to study human disease is now a goal of mine.

Why did you choose the Genetics & Genomics Ph.D. program at A&M?

I chose this program because I feel that the trainees are very supported in their development. I know that there are ample resources for students to succeed and prepare for their future in science. I also feel that the program is very diverse, inclusive, and supportive of minorities, something that’s very important to me. I’m really excited to get to know everyone and for my future in the program!

If you were free to choose anything, what research question/topic would you like to address for your graduate studies?

I would like to study cancer biology. I want to elucidate the mechanisms underlying cancer development and progression. Cancer manifests in many forms and is more than just one disease; it’s incredibly prevalent because of faults in the fundamental processes that govern our cells, and I would like to investigate the ways it develops and progresses so I can help identify therapeutic targets.

Fun Facts:

Who was your famous role model growing up?
Growing up my role model was Dirk Nowitzki, a hall of fame former NBA player for the Dallas Mavericks. As a kid, I fell in love with basketball, and for most of my young life dreamed of being in the NBA. I’ll settle for being a scientist, but I gained a lot of valuable lessons from my role model. I model my work ethic and goal-chasing largely after Dirk Nowitzki and other great basketball players, and I’ve found that it’s helped me grow a lot as a scientist.

Favorite place you have traveled to.
Favorite place I’ve traveled to is Italy, something I’ll definitely mention at some point if you get to know me. I had a really fun time during my Lizzy McGuire moment and really felt like I was in a movie. I hope in my retirement to get a vacation home in one of the small towns I visited, called Cortona.