Team
Michael Deininger, MD, PhD
Mike and Cathy White Endowed Chair, EVP and Chief Scientific Officer
Hematopoiesis & Stem Cell Biology
Mike and Cathy White Endowed Chair
Executive Vice President and Chief Scientific Officer
Versiti
Director and Senior Investigator
Versiti Blood Research Institute
Professor
Department of Medicine
Medical College of Wisconsin
Associate Dean of Research
Medical College of Wisconsin
Nataly Cruz-Rodriguez, PhD
Senior Research Scientist - Instructor
Instructor of Deininger Lab
Email: ncruz@Versiti.org
Nataly graduated from Pontifical Javeriana University in 2017. Nataly is working on identifying the biology of SIRT5 in normal hematopoietic stem cells and the mechanisms underlying SIRT5 dependence in leukemic stem cells.
Hobbies: reading, travelling, dancing, food lover.
Esra'a Keewan, PhD
Postdoctoral Fellow
Email: ekeewan@Versiti.org
Esra’a graduated from University of Central Florida in 2020. Esra’a is working on unraveling the mechanisms underlying leukemic cell dormancy, seeking to gain a comprehensive understanding of the factors that contribute to the quiescent state of these cells.
Hobbies: Reading and experimenting with new recipes in the kitchen. She is a lover of nature and exploration, often engaging in hiking adventures and visiting new places.
Benjamin Bateman, BS
Research Technologist I
Email: bbateman@versiti.org
Ben is currently developing the SIRT5 inhibitors as a novel therapeutic strategy for AML.
Hobbies: Skiing and playing tennis, racquetball, and ice hockey.
Briana Bates, MS
Senior Research Technologist
Email: bbates@versiti.org
Briana graduated from Miami University in 2022. Briana is studying the mechanism of how SIRT5 balances the metabolism in AML cells.
Hobbies: Read and enjoy doing a variety of crafts.
Logan Pankratz, MS
Research Technologist II
Email: lpankratz@versiti.org
Logan graduated from Purdue University in 2016. Logan is working on developing SIRT5 inhibitors, and targeting BCR::ABL1 compound mutants.
Hobbies: Travel, video games, board games, finding new music, writing.
Mario Pinzas, BA
Senior Research Technologist
Email: mpinzas@versiti.org
Mario graduated from Rutgers University in 2016. Mario is working on targeting MS4A3 in CMML.
Hobbies: cooking, gaming, and reading.
Yang Hu, BBA
Senior Administrative Assistant
Email: yhu@Versiti.org