Vanessa Leone, PhD, Assistant Professor of Biophysics, recently joined the MCW Cancer Center as a research member in the Cancer Biology program. Dr. Leone earned her BS in Biochemistry from the University of the Republic of Montevideo, Uruguay, and her PhD in Functional and Structural Genomics from the International School for Advanced Studies (SISSA/ISAS) in Trieste, Italy. She brings deep expertise in protein structure and computational structural biology, shaped by advanced training at the Max Planck Institute of Biophysics in Frankfurt, Germany.
She continued to build on that foundation during postdoctoral research at the National Institutes of Health (NIH)—first at the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, then at the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, where she later served as a Staff Scientist.
Dr. Leone’s research centers on protein structure, interactions, and dynamics, with a focus on mitochondrial-related processes and the effects of mutations. She applies a wide range of computational approaches, including artificial intelligence (AI), biophysics-based structure prediction, molecular dynamics simulations, and free energy calculations, to understand protein function and drive therapeutic discovery. Through collaboration at MCW, she aims to translate computational insights into meaningful biomedical advances.
Get to Know Dr. Leone
Why did you choose to come to the MCW Cancer Center?
I was drawn to the Center because of its strong collaborative environment and the opportunity to bridge computational biology with cancer research in meaningful ways. My work focuses on understanding protein structure and molecular mechanisms, and I saw real potential to apply that lens to mitochondrial biology and cancer-related processes here. The Center’s emphasis on translational research and access to clinical expertise and experimental collaborators makes it an ideal place to do high-impact science while also growing professionally.
I’m excited to join the MCW Cancer Center at a time when computational methods are becoming essential to biomedical research. I look forward to building collaborations across disciplines and helping train the next generation of scientists who can think across molecular, cellular, and clinical scales. There is a lot of potential to do innovative and impactful science here.
What is the most important question you hope to address in your research?
One of the key questions I’m excited about is how the structural dynamics of mitochondrial proteins influence their function and dysfunction in cancer and neurodegeneration. Mitochondria are central hubs for metabolism and signaling, yet many of their proteins are poorly understood structurally. I’m especially interested in uncovering mechanistic insights into how these proteins assemble, change conformation, and interact with other cellular components under stress or disease conditions. If we can understand those dynamics at a detailed level, it opens the door to new therapeutic strategies.
You note that this is a dynamic field. How do you see it evolving over the next 5-10-20 years?
The field is changing rapidly, largely due to advances in AI, structural prediction tools, and large-scale data. AI tools have completely transformed how we approach protein structure, allowing us to ask new biological questions that weren’t accessible even five years ago. In the next 5-10 years, I think we’ll see more integration of dynamic information to go beyond static structures and understand protein function in context. Over the next 20 years, I imagine a future where computational modeling is fully integrated into clinical decision-making, helping guide drug design or predict disease outcomes based on molecular-level understanding. It’s an exciting time because we’re not just describing biology, we’re starting to predict and design it.
Your academic journey has taken you across the world. How have these diverse international experiences shaped your perspective and approach to research?
Each place taught me something different and, together, shaped my scientific identity. In Uruguay, I got a strong theoretical foundation, especially in biochemistry and biophysics, giving me the tools to think deeply about mechanisms. In Italy, during my PhD at SISSA, I was trained in a rigorous and conceptual environment where creativity and independent thinking were highly valued.
Then, in Germany, at the Max Planck Institute, I was exposed to cutting-edge experimental collaborations. One of the most rewarding aspects of my time there was the opportunity to perform my own experiments, such as biophysics and biochemistry assays, to validate (or challenge) my computational work. This hands-on experience reinforced my appreciation for how computational and experimental research complement each other.
Finally, at the NIH, I was part of a dynamic and collaborative research environment with a strong focus on biomedical applications. This experience helped me transition into research that bridges fundamental computational work with translational and clinical impact. Overall, I’ve learned to combine deep conceptual understanding with practical, interdisciplinary collaboration.
You’re committed to training the next generation of scientists. How do you approach mentoring students and early-career researchers in your lab?
I truly enjoy mentoring. It’s one of the most rewarding parts of the job. I’ve also benefited from excellent mentors throughout my career, especially during my time at the NIH, where I worked under an exceptional mentor who gave me the space to develop my own mentoring style. I believe the best way to mentor is through open communication and fostering an environment where trainees feel comfortable asking questions and developing their independence.
One of the key skills I try to instill is how to approach scientific problems with critical thinking. I like to involve students in the development of projects, encouraging them to take ownership and think deeply about their research rather than just executing tasks. Regular meetings and informal discussions help tailor my mentoring approach to each person’s goals, ensuring they gain both technical expertise and a strong conceptual foundation.
Of all the places you have traveled, which is your favorite and why?
Tough one! Each place has meant something different to me at different stages of my life; each is a piece of my home. The best way to answer this is to think about which soccer team I support during every World Cup, and that’s still Uruguay. Maybe in second place, Italy, to keep the peace at home with my husband.
From a scientific perspective, Uruguay shaped my foundational knowledge, Italy cultivated my independence and creativity, Germany refined my experimental mindset, and the U.S. broadened my perspective on collaboration and impact. Each place has been invaluable in its own way.
Learn more about Dr. Leone and view her list of publications.