Team
Michael Deininger, MD, PhD
EVP and Chief Scientific Officer, Senior Investigator and Director
Hematopoiesis & Stem Cell Biology
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.
Mélissa Jauquet, PhD
Postdoctoral Fellow
Email: mjauquet@Versiti.org
Mélissa graduated from University of Caen Normandy; Blood and Brain @ Caen-Normandie Institute in 2023. Mélissa is studying the function of MS4A3 in Chronic Myelomonocytic Leukemia (CMML).
Hobbies: In my free time, I enjoy concerts, hiking, and baking.
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
Briana graduated from Maryland University in 2020. 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
Briana graduated from Kansas State University in 2018. Briana 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.
Yang Hu, BBA
Senior Administrative Assistant
Email: yhu@Versiti.org