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.

James Chavez, BS

Professional Research Assistant

James received his undergraduate degree from the University of Colorado, Boulder in Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology. As an undergraduate, he had the wonderful opportunity of working in the Voeltz Lab where he investigated mitochondrial DNA positioning and dynamics utilizing fluorescent microscopy. Shortly after graduation, he was hired as the PRA for the Pietras Lab. He is currently investigating the impact of chronic inflammation on Hematopoietic Stem Cell (HSC) function and lineage fate choice. James plans on attending graduate school following his training in the lab. 

Outside of the lab, James enjoys playing recreational sports, playing video games and cheering on his favorite sports teams (GO BUFFS). 

Rachel Gessner, BS

Professional Research Assistant

Rachel earned her BA in Biology from St. Olaf College in 2019. During her undergraduate years, Rachel worked in the Kandl lab at St. Olaf where she assisted on projects to understand the molecular genetics of the protein modifying pathway, SUMO. Meanwhile her summers were spent in Golden, Colorado at the National Renewable Energy Laboratory. There she interned under the mentorship of Dr. Bryon Donohoe learning and honing her skills in fluorescent microscopy in the context of biofuels. After graduating, Rachel was hired as a PRA in the Pietras Lab where she now explores how chronic inflammation influences hematopoietic stem cell function. Inspired by her professors and mentors, Rachel aims to continue her education after her training with the Pietras lab.

Beyond the lab, Rachel enjoys hiking and skiing around the Rockies, trying new recipes, and spending quality time making music with her oboe.

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.

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 lab 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

Pre-Doctoral Fellow

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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.

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.