Team
Michael Deininger, MD, PhD
EVP and Chief Scientific Officer, Senior Investigator and Director
Mike and Cathy White Endowed Chair
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.
Emily Diaz, PhD
Associate Research Program Administrator
Email: eadiaz@Versiti.org
I am currently supporting the Deininger lab through project coordination, lab management, and regulatory compliance. In addition to support, I will be researching the role of MS4A3 on the regulation of endocytosis, signal transduction, and differentiation arrest in chronic myeloid leukemia.
Hobbies: I enjoy reading, baking, crochet, spending time with my cat, and playing tabletop games with my friends.
Ximena Torres Llanos, PhD
Postdoctoral Fellow
Email: ytorresllanos@Versiti.org
Ximena graduated from University National of Columbia in 2023. Ximena is currently working on defining the biological role of SIRT5 in hematopoietic progenitors and leukemic stem cells. Likewise, to investigate the role of dormancy in chemoresistance in AML.
Hobbies: In my free time I enjoy reading, walking my dog, being with husband and family, riding bike, visiting restaurants, and working for the community.
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.
Melitza Juárez
Research Technologist I
Email: mmjuarez@Versiti.org
Melitza is managing and upkeeping the transgenic models of mice for acute and chronic myeloid leukemias.
Hobbies: In Melitza's free time, she enjoys thrifting, drinking coffee and spending time with her cat and dog.
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.
Leah Radeke
Senior Research Technologist
Email: lradeke@Versiti.org
Leah is working on understanding the roles of MS4A3 in Chronic Leukemias.
Hobbies: Leah enjoys traveling, reading, pickleball, running, spending time with her two cats, and anything outdoors.
Erin Wallisch
Research Technologist
Email: ewallisch@versiti.org
Erin is currently working on testing BCR::ABL1 PROTACs..
Hobbies: In my free time I enjoy reading, traveling, skiing, and playing ultimate frisbee.
Juan Tang
Graduate Student
Email: jtang@Versiti.org
I am currently working on exploring the role of ETNK1 in normal hematopoiesis.
Hobbies: In my free time, I enjoy running and baking.
Yang Hu, BBA
Senior Administrative Assistant
Email: yhu@Versiti.org