Versiti - Team | Michael Deininger Laboratory | Versiti Blood Research Institute

Team

Dr. Deininger Lab Team

Interested in joining the Deininger lab?

We are seeking highly motivated undergraduate and graduate students and postdocs. If you are interested in joining the team, you can mail your CV, a brief statement of research interests and contact information with 3 references to the address below.

Deininger Lab
Attention: Helong (Gary) Zhao
Versiti Blood Research Institute
8727 W. Watertown Plank Rd.
Milwaukee, WI. 53226

Principal Investigator

 
Helong (Gary) Zhao, PhD

Research Scientist, Scientific Director of Deininger Lab
Email: hzhao@versiti.org

Gary graduated from Ohio State University in 2015. Gary is working on improving the diagnosis, single-cell-targeted analysis, and therapeutics of myeloid malignancies.

Hobbies: Works in Theater Operation Team at Sundance Film Festival every year since 2018.

 
Nataly Cruz, PhD

Postdoctoral Fellow
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.

 
Sameer Ahmad Guru, PhD

Postdoctoral Fellow
Email: sguru@versiti.org

Sameer Ahmad graduated from University of Delhi in 2019. He is working on mechanisms underlying Leukemic Stem Cell (LSC) quiescence, and disease persistence in Leukemia.

Hobbies: Poetry, playing cricket and volleyball, listening to old Hindi/Urdu songs and Sufi music.

 
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.

 
Greg Fischer, BS

Research Lab Coordinator
Email: gfischer@versiti.org

Greg graduated from University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee in 2007. Greg has a decade of experience in basic science research. As Senior Research Lab Coordinator, he provides administrative and logistic support to projects throughout the Deininger Lab.

Hobbies: Reading, playing guitar and piano, gaming.

 
Briana Bates, MS

Research Technologist I
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.

 
Mario Pinzas, BA

Research Technologist I
Email: mpinzas@versiti.org

Mario graduated from Rutgers University in 2016. Mario is working on targeting MS4A3 in CMML.

Hobbies: cooking, gaming, and reading.

 
Benjamin Bateman

Undergraduate Student
Email: bbateman@versiti.org

Ben is undergraduate student at Wisconsin Lutheran College. Ben is currently developing the SIRT5 inhibitors as a novel therapeutic strategy for AML.

Hobbies: Skiing and playing tennis, racquetball, and ice hockey.

 
Publications
Read a select list of Dr. Deiningers publications.
 
Research
The Deininger lab’s expertise focuses on translational research of leukemia.
 
Contact Us
Complete the contact us form to inquire about open lab positions or Dr. Deininger's research.
 
Versiti Blood Research Institute
Versiti Blood Research Institute investigators study blood disorders like hemophilia, blood cancers like leukemia, and other blood diseases.