Vanessa Leone

Dr. Vanessa Leone is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Biophysics and a member of both the Data Science Institute and Cancer Center at the Medical College of Wisconsin. She joined MCW in July 2024 after serving as a Staff Scientist at the National Institutes of Health (NINDS) from 2019-2024. Dr. Leone earned her BS from the University of the Republic in Montevideo, Uruguay (2000-2005) and her PhD from the International School for Advanced Studies (SISSA/ISAS) in Trieste, Italy (2005-2009), followed by postdoctoral training at the Max Planck Institute of Biophysics in Frankfurt, Germany.

• BS, University of the Republic, Montevideo, Uruguay (2000-2005)
• PhD, International School for Advanced Studies (SISSA/ISAS), Trieste, Italy (2005-2009)
• Postdoctoral Fellow, Max Planck Institute of Biophysics, Frankfurt (2009-2013)
• Visiting Fellow, NIH (NHLBI/NINDS), Bethesda (2013-2019)
• Staff Scientist, NIH (NINDS), Bethesda (2019-2024)
• Assistant Professor, Medical College of Wisconsin (2024-present)

Dr. Leone's research focuses on computational structural biology of membrane proteins, particularly ATP synthase and transporters. She integrates molecular dynamics simulations with experimental data to investigate protein dynamics, ion selectivity mechanisms, and energy transduction processes. Her work employs advanced computational techniques including metadynamics to explore biomolecular flexibility and conformational changes. Analysis of her publication record reveals consistent contributions to understanding membrane protein structure-function relationships, with particular emphasis on ATP synthase rotor rings and glycine transporters.

Dr. Leone has received recognition including a Biophysical Society Annual Meeting 'Postdoc Research Highlight' selection in 2014. She serves as a reviewer for numerous prestigious journals including PNAS, Nature Communications, and eLife, demonstrating her standing in the scientific community.

• PhD Fellowship, International School for Advanced Studies (SISSA/ISAS)
• Visiting Fellowship, National Institutes of Health
• Biophysical Society Annual Meeting, Permeation & Transport Subgroup Abstract selected as 'Postdoc Research Highlight' (2014)

Dr. Leone has mentored numerous undergraduate and postbaccalaureate students throughout her career, many of whom have gone on to successful careers in science and medicine. She currently teaches graduate courses in Biophysical Techniques and Molecular Modeling at MCW. Her research program bridges computational biophysics with biomedical applications, leveraging her dual appointment in the Biophysics Department and Data Science Institute to advance understanding of membrane protein function through interdisciplinary approaches.