Dr. Carlos Romero has built a distinguished career in veterinary medicine and virology, with contributions that span livestock health, viral oncology, and marine mammal research. His academic journey began in Peru and continued through Brazil, England, Scotland, and the United States, where his research has informed disease control efforts in poultry, cattle, swine, and dolphins. His work on Marek’s disease in chickens, bovine leukemia virus, and rabies in wild pigs has had global implications for both animal and public health.
Some things you might not know about Dr. Romero are: he once managed a dairy farm with over a thousand Holstein Friesians (and knew most of them by name) and collaborated with Douglas Gilmour (father of Pink Floyd’s David Gilmour) on tumor resistance research in poultry. Even in retirement, he mentors students, reviews scientific manuscripts, and researches viruses affecting dolphins and endangered beluga whales.
His story reflects the power of lifelong learning, cross-disciplinary collaboration, and a deep dedication to science and service. We are proud to recognize Dr. Romero’s enduring impact on the field.
Read the full interview here:
Can you provide a brief introduction about yourself and your academic background?
I am a veterinarian with a lifelong passion for animal health. I earned my Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree from the University of San Marcos in Lima, Peru, founded in 1551, which makes it the oldest university in the American continent. As a young veterinarian, I worked with Holstein Friesian cattle, which remain my favorite terrestrial animals.
Seeking further professional education, I won a scholarship provided by the British Government, and moved to Scotland to study at the Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies at the University of Edinburgh. Here I earned a Diploma in Tropical Veterinary Medicine and a Master of Science degree in Animal Virology, working with Orf viruses of sheep.
Upon my return to Peru, I worked at the Institute of Zoonoses and Animal Diseases. I was intensely involved in an outbreak of rabies in cattle in the Amazon jungle, which involved the isolation of the rabies virus from vampire bats in the laboratory to confirm the rabies diagnosis. I also worked on research for Marek’s disease, a chicken disease that could not be controlled then because of the lack of a vaccine.
The challenges for the poultry industry worldwide sparked my interest in poultry diseases. I was awarded a scholarship by the Fulbright Commission, together with the Rotary Club of Battle Creek, Indiana, USA, to study at the USDA Regional Poultry Research Laboratory and work towards a Ph.D. at Michigan State University, in East Lansing, Michigan. I performed research on strategies for the control of avian leukosis virus, which culminated in the eradication of this virus from the genetic stock of the American poultry company that funded my studies. My research also contributed to the discovery of a genetic basis for resistance to this avian cancer.
After obtaining my PhD degree, I moved to Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, where I was a professor at the ”Universidade Federal Rural do Rio de Janeiro”. I taught graduate courses in Immunopathology. I performed research on bovine leukemia (which causes cancer in cattle) in which infection has become an obstacle to exporting animals or valuable genetic stock. It is still a controversial and sensitive topic, especially when it comes to international cattle trade. I also worked with avian leukosis, a virus that causes tumors in adult chickens.
I then moved to EMBRAPA- The Brazilian Agricultural Research Corporation- that specializes in agriculture and livestock research. I worked at the National Center for Research on Swine and Poultry where I started both a virology research laboratory and a Specific Pathogen Free (SPF) chicken flock. These endeavors supported research for the control of avian and swine viral diseases in a Brazilian state that was the most important poultry and swine producer in the country, both for national consumption and for export.
Recognizing the need to acquire expertise in molecular virology, I eventually travelled to England to work as a scientist at the Pirbright Laboratory, in Pirbright, Surrey. I became involved in research projects to develop recombinant vaccines against Blue Tongue of sheep and Rinderpest of cattle. Rinderpest was a viral disease that was causing significant economic losses and mortality in cattle in several countries in Africa and the Middle East.
In 1993, I began work at the College of Veterinary Medicine at the University of Florida! I joined a small team that was working on pseudorabies virus, a viral infection of swine. Feral swine were carriers of the infection and posed a constant challenge to the swine industry and the national herd eradication efforts directed by the United States Department of Agriculture. The pseudorabies virus also impacted hunting dogs and the Florida panther, which died after encounters and fights with apparently healthy feral swine, which are naturally infected carriers of pseudorabies virus. While a professor at UF I taught the courses of “Diseases of Poultry” and “Veterinary Virology”.
Over the years I have been involved with mentoring undergraduate students and graduate MS and Ph.D. students in researching viruses of marine mammals such as dolphins, whales and sea otters. My lab provided viral diagnostic services for over 20 years, and has developed molecular tests to diagnose viral infections both in marine mammals from Oceanariums, as well as in free-ranging marine mammals from around the world.
Are you currently involved in any ongoing research, mentorship, or academic activities?
I stay active in research on viral infections of marine mammals and actively publish my work.
Last year, as a mentor, I led a group of veterinary students on a two-week trip to Puerto Rico as part of Project HEAL (Health, Education, and Learning), an initiative from UF’s College of Medicine. Normally the program supports rural and indigenous communities in Ecuador, providing veterinary care, vaccinations, and public health education. Due to unrest in Ecuador in 2024, the trip was moved to Puerto Rico. I was responsible for coordinating five veterinarians and 19 veterinary students. It was an enriching experience for the students and myself, because we had the opportunity to engage with another culture and practice veterinary medicine in a different setting. We carried medicines and other supplies, generously donated by pharmaceutical companies.
Despite no longer having teaching obligations, I remain engaged in academia by reviewing scientific manuscripts for peer-reviewed scientific journals. I also assist students when asked, whether that includes helping them prepare for exams or reviewing materials on infectious viral diseases. I frequently serve as a judge for academic competitions and continue to participate in scientific symposiums. Teaching is still close to my heart, and I take every opportunity to support students and the field of animal health.
What methodologies or approaches did you find most effective in your research over the years?
The first thing one must consider is becoming acquainted with the nature of the problem and the approaches that have been used to improve knowledge on the research subject. Also, one must be aware of the current state of the area to be investigated. Understanding this initial conundrum should open doors towards advancing current knowledge through the use of previous and present approaches and any new technologies available that might expand current knowledge through both molecular and field-based research.
Can you speak of any notable collaborations during your career and how they influenced your work?
My time in Scotland was transformative. I worked in the laboratory of Professor Gordon Scott in the Centre for Tropical Veterinary Medicine at the University of Edinburgh and earned my Master of Science degree under his tutelage. At the time, the Centre was the only one of its kind in the world. Dr. Scott had spent much of his career in Africa and the rigorous virology course he gave was a deciding factor for me becoming a virologist.
What awards or recognitions are you most proud of, and why?
The work we did on bovine leukemia is cited by the World Organization of Animal Health (WOAH) as a reference manuscript on the transmission of the virus from infected cows to their progeny through the colostrum.
What interests have you pursued since retiring from full-time academic work?
I am not fully retired from academic work. I just had a scientific manuscript approved for publication, which describes for the first time, the simultaneous infections of beluga whales with a herpesvirus and papillomaviruses.
I’ve always believed in balancing mental and physical activity, so I play tennis a couple of times a week. I am also a huge fan of “fútbol” (soccer), particularly European leagues, and follow professional tennis tournaments as well.
How can others learn more about your work or get in touch with you?
Whenever I publish something in a scientific journal, my name and e-mail address are always incorporated in the publication, which makes contacting me fairly straightforward.
Email: romeroc@ufl.edu Phone Number: (352) 283-0186
What advice would you give to students or researchers early on in their career who are interested in the field?
Veterinary medicine is a broad field, and during your studies, you’ll likely find yourself drawn more to certain subjects. Follow that interest, it can guide your career! Mine started with poultry, but it evolved over time. Be proactive. Make yourself visible to your professors and mentors. Volunteer, offer to help, no matter what. These small acts of initiative can set your career in motion. I also recommend to always ask questions and be curious. Your interests may shift as you learn more, and that’s perfectly okay. In my case, embracing change led to some of the most meaningful discoveries in my life and allowed me to meet incredibly interesting people. Stay open to unexpected opportunities, and never stop learning.
Interviewer: Julia Martin, UF Undergraduate
Interview with Carlos Romero, D.V.M., M.S., Ph.D.
Transcribed: 5/27/2025
