In 2019, Eric was the recipient of the Cleo Meador and George Ryland Scott Endowed Chair of Medicine in Hematology, and was named an Outstanding Early Career Scholar by the CU Department of Medicine.

DISCOVER THE LAB:

Taylor Mills, BS

PhD Student

Taylor earned his BA from the University of Colorado at Boulder in Molecular Cellular and Developmental Biology in 2013. While an undergrad, Taylor worked in the lab of Michael Stowell studying the role of the Siah-1 protein in regulating Synaptophysin, a molecule important for neurotransmission and implicated in Alzheimer’s disease. After graduating, Taylor moved to the lab of Margaret E. Wierman on the Anschutz Medical Campus to study Growth Hormone (GH) pituitary adenomas. Specifically, he studied the role of the PERP protein as a tumor suppressor in GH adenomas. Taylor is currently pursuing his Ph.D. in Immunology, and his thesis work focuses on investigating the effects of chronic inflammatory diseases on the function of hematopoietic stem cells. Taylor plans to have a career working in the development and implementation of cancer immunotherapies.

Outside of the lab, Taylor loves everything food-oriented, spending time in the woods of the Rocky Mountains, and enjoys participating in interactive digital goal-oriented programs.

Katia Niño, BS

PhD Student

Katia earned her BS in Biological Science from California State University, Fullerton in 2019. In her undergraduate studies, Katia began her research endeavors in the lab of Math Cuajungco, where she studied the role of the Transmembrane (TMEM)-163 protein in the neurodegenerative disease called Mucolipidosis type IV. For her undergraduate thesis, Katia moved to the lab of Marcelo Tolmasky to investigate enzyme-mediated resistance to antibiotics through the quantification and dynamic mapping of the aminoglycoside resistance protein AAC(6')-Ib. Katia is currently pursuing her Ph.D. in Molecular Biology where she will focus her thesis on how chronic inflammation drives hematologic malignancies. Katia plans to become a principal investigator in academia where she can serve as a mentor for the next generation of scientists.

In 2022, Katia was awarded both an American Society of Hematology Minority Graduate Research Fellowship and the HHMI Gilliam Research Fellowship.

Outside of the lab, Katia enjoys venturing the latest pop-up art exhibits, spending time by the water, and trying out new cuisine.

Sweta Patel, PhD

Postdoctoral Scholar

Sweta received her Bachelors in Pharmacy and Masters in Pharmaceutical Biotechnology from India. During her Masters, Sweta showed that silver nanoparticle from pomegranate peel extract had cytotoxic effect on cervical cancer cells. After graduating with a Masters in 2016, Sweta moved to the US to pursue a PhD in Dr. Rob Welner’s Lab at the University of Alabama at Birmingham. During her PhD, she worked on identifying the metabolic and transcriptional role of STAT3 mediating drug persistence in chronic myeloid leukemia stem cells. In 2021, Sweta joined as a postdoctoral fellow in Dr. Eric Pietras' and Dr. Craig Jordan’s labs and will be focusing on identifying metabolic targets to inhibit the progression from clonal hematopoiesis to acute myeloid leukemia. Sweta plans to stay in academia as a researcher upon completion of her postdoctoral training.

Outside of the lab, Sweta enjoys water-related activities, hiking, volunteering at dog shelters, learning new things and celebrating Indian festivals.

Wolf Schleicher, BA

PhD Student

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Wolf earned his BA at the University of Colorado at Boulder with a double-major in Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology and Neuroscience. As an undergraduate, Wolf worked in the Maier-Watkins Laboratory, where he collaborated with Dr. Andrew Gaudet to study neuropathic pain in the context of thoracic spinal cord injuries (SCI). This work ultimately culminated in his undergraduate thesis, in which he established a mouse model for neuropathic pain induced by thoracic SCI. After graduating, Wolf worked in the lab of Dr. Richard Benninger at the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus to study beta-cell biophysics in the Islets of Langerhans during diabetes pathogenesis. Wolf is currently pursuing his PhD in Cell, Stem Cells, and Developmental Biology where he will focus his thesis on understanding how crosstalk between metabolic and inflammatory pathways can influence stem cell development in hematopoiesis. Wolf plans to leverage his training in stem cell biology toward developing therapeutics for cancer and other age-related malignancies.

In 2022, Wolf was awarded a National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship.

Outside of the lab, Wolf enjoys immersing himself into various pop-culture trends, playing video games, and engaging in outdoor activities, such as hiking, camping, and climbing. 

Mac Rump

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Mac is working towards his bachelor's degree in Integrative Physiology from the University of Colorado at Boulder. While in the Pietras lab, Mac is working to gain research experience and exposure to different careers available in the research field. Post graduation, he plans to attend medical school and become a physician.

Outside of the lab, Mac enjoys mountain biking, hiking, climbing, snowboarding, and spending time with his family and friends.