Microbiology Program
Microbiology Program
Microbiology Program
Microbiology Program
Microbiology Program
The Doctoral Program in Microbiology provides advanced training and education for students with the desire and ability to thrive in a stimulating, research-oriented graduate program leading to careers in science in the academic, governmental, or private sectors.
MICROBIOLOGY GRADUATE PROGRAM STUDENT HIGHLIGHT
Grecia Rivera-Palomino, PhD Candidate, Theiss Lab
Grecia is a 4th -year PhD candidate in the lab of Dr. Arianne Theiss. The Theiss Lab studies host-pathogen interactions inside the gut, focusing on how mitochondrial dysfunction in gut epithelial cells contributes to gut homeostasis and interactions with bacterial pathogens. Grecia studies the mitochondrial protein Prohibitin-1 (PHB1) and how it affects bacterial infections in the gastrointestinal tract. Specifically, her thesis work is focused on deciphering the mechanisms PHB1 uses to fight pathogens Salmonella Typhimurium and E. coli LF82 infections; both important pathogens in the context of Inflammatory Bowel diseases such as ulcerative colitis and Chron’s disease.
Grecia has been selected for many talks and awards. To name a few, Grecia was selected to give an oral presentation at Digestive Disease Week (DDW) in San Diego, the most prestigious conference in the gastroenterology field, and was awarded the competitive Basic Science Travel Award by DDW and the American Gastroenterological Association (AGA) in May, 2025. She published an abstract in the Journal of Gastroenterology in 2025. She has 5 papers and 2 abstracts published; you can check her work here. Grecia became Colorado's statewide champion in the 3-minute thesis competition and placed 4th across the Western Association of Graduate Schools.
When not having fun in the lab, Grecia is a runner, having run 7 half marathons and 1 full marathon! She also enjoys playing with her dog Dynah, listening to true crime podcasts, doing sudokus, trying new restaurants in Denver, and going on hikes.
A piece of advice Grecia has to offer about grad school is the importance of taking breaks— even a small walk during a busy day can help you feel less burnt out. Grecia also encourages the importance of attending seminars—even when you don’t think a seminar is relevant to your research, you never know what new insights might inspire you!
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CU Anschutz Office of Access and Engagement
Facilitates initiatives and programs in collaboration with colleagues from across campus and community members to enhance awareness, encourage and support meaningful contributions to advancing Access and Engagement efforts, increase a sense of belonging on campus, and invoke change as it relates to health equity. Learn More.
CU Anschutz PhD Program Student Statistics
As a member of the Coalition for Next Generation Life Science, the Graduate School provides detailed statistics from Biomedical Science programs on: Admissions and matriculation data of PhD students, Average time-to-degree and completion data for PhD programs, and Demographics of PhD students by gender, underrepresented minority status, and citizenship status.
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LGBTQ+ HUB
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Education: Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion 101
Make a report or learn more about important considerations related to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) such as language, bias, and identity. Learn More
Undocumented Student Services
Our university remains committed to providing access to all qualified students, including students under the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) and Advancing Students for a Stronger Economy Tomorrow (ASSET) programs. We are pleased to provide a variety of services, support, and information for students, faculty, and staff to help undocumented students succeed at CU Anschutz
