Versiti - Women Rocking Research | Versiti Blood Research Institute
 

Women Rocking Research

Join Versiti Blood Research Institute as we celebrate women in science.

Join us for an inspiring evening celebrating women in science and the transformative research happening at the Versiti Blood Research Institute. This year's event features Lisa Baumann Kreuziger, MD, MS, a nationally recognized leader in thrombosis research and women's health, who will share groundbreaking work from VENUS (Venous thromboEmbolism Network U.S.)—the nation's only clinical trial network dedicated solely to venous thrombosis. 

Date:Thursday, April 30, 2026, 4:30 - 6:00 p.m.
Location:Versiti Blood Research Institute
8733 W Watertown Plank Road
Wauwatosa, WI 53226

About the Event

Women Rocking Research is an annual program designed to engage and empower women and girls of all ages through direct interaction with leading female scientists. This year's event will feature: 

  • Featured Presentation from Dr. Lisa Baumann Kreuziger on advancing women's health through clinical research
  • Live Scientific Demonstrations showcasing cutting-edge research techniques 
  • VBRI Lab Tours providing behind-the-scenes access to active research labs 
  • Networking Reception with the scientific community

Speakers

 

Dr. Lisa Baumann Kreuziger

Dr. Baumann Kreuziger is Senior Medical Director of Hematology at Versiti and an Investigator at the Versiti Blood Research Institute, where she specializes in non-malignant hematology with emphasis on bleeding and clotting disorders. As founder and leader of VENUS, a network of 128+ investigators across 38+ states, she is transforming care for the 900,000 Americans diagnosed with venous thromboembolism (VTE) each year. 

Her research focuses on critical gaps in women's health, including: 

  • Anticoagulation in pregnancy: Leading multi-center studies determining the safest management of blood thinners around delivery 
  • Thrombosis in pregnancy: Co-founding VENUS with a dedicated Women & Thrombosis committee 
  • Iron deficiency: Revealing that only 9% of women on blood thinners are screened for this critical condition 
  • Patient-centered care: Studying how pregnant patients weigh treatment decisions that balance bleeding risk, clotting risk, and breastfeeding goals

Dr. Baumann Kreuziger is a Professor in the Department of Medicine at the Medical College of Wisconsin and serves as co-lead of the NHLBI REDS-IV-P Wisconsin hub examining blood transfusion during pregnancy and postpartum.

Why This Matters

WBleeding and clotting disorders affect both men and women but have been historically understudied and underdiagnosed in female populations. Through research like Dr. Baumann Kreuziger's, VBRI is:

  • Closing a troubling 16-year average diagnosis gap for women with heavy menstrual bleeding
  • Establishing evidence-based protocols for pregnant women requiring anticoagulation
  • Building national research networks (VENUS, RAISE) that unite institutions around women's health priorities
  • Translating laboratory discoveries into improved patient care
 
 
Team
Our laboratory includes research scientists, postdoctoral fellows, technicians, and undergraduate students. If you are interested in joining the team contact us.
 
Funding Research
Versiti Blood Research Institute Foundation accepts financial and philanthropic gifts from donors, which helps to propel lifesaving research.
 
Versiti Blood Research Institute
Versiti Blood Research Institute investigators study blood disorders like hemophilia, blood cancers like leukemia, and other blood diseases.
 
Ze Zheng, MD, PhD
Dr. Zheng is an associate investigator at Versiti Blood Research Institute who studies the interaction between metabolism and clot lysis.