After spending several years moving laterally across organizations, Romero joined the University of Maryland School of Medicine’s (UMSOM) Office of Student Research (OSR) in 2021.
Her efforts and skills have been recognized with two promotions in three years — she started as a program management specialist, was promoted to program senior specialist, and promoted again to program manager.
In this role, she oversees the day-to-day operations of OSR, with a focus on improving operational efficiency and enhancing the research support students receive. Romero manages the Foundations of Research and Critical Thinking course, dual-degree programs, student awards and events, and a growing list of summer research and training programs, including the Program for Research Initiated by Students and Mentors, UM Scholars at UMSOM, MPower/Maryland Department of Health, and Maryland Infection, Immunization, Intervention, and Impact. She also is the project manager for the Rural Health Equity and Access Longitudinal Elective and assists with operations management for the broader Undergraduate Medical Education.
Romero has taken advantage of the many educational and professional development opportunities at UMB. Using the tuition remission program, she obtained her master’s in health science with a concentration in administration and a certificate in health care leadership, both from Towson University. She also is an alumna of UMB’s UMBrella Coaching and Emerging Leaders programs.
Romero is passionate about advocating for employee needs and improving access to health care and education, particularly among underserved communities. Her commitment to advocacy and promoting equity, diversity, and inclusion motivated her to run for UMB Staff Senate, where she currently serves as a senator and communications officer.