Sarah C Keane
Sarah Keane graduated from Furman University with a B.S. in Chemistry (2007). Under the direction of David Giedroc, she received a Ph.D. in Chemistry from Indiana University (2012). Sarah then accepted a postdoctoral position with Michael Summers at The University of Maryland Baltimore County. Sarah joined the University of Michigan in January 2017 with a joint appointment in the Biophysics and Chemistry departments. The Keane lab is interested in uncovering the structures and mechanisms of biologically relevant noncoding RNAs using NMR spectroscopy complemented with other biochemical and biophysical tools.
Postdocs:
Martin O’Steen
2014 B.S. Molecular Biology, Psychology, University of Central Florida
2019 M.S. Chemistry, University of Central Florida
2022 Ph.D. Chemistry, University of Central Florida
Research interests: My research interests encompass the structure-function relationship found in functional nucleic acid species, such as riboswitches, aptamers, and ribozymes. In particular, my interest lies in elucidating the differences in folding patterns and binding mechanisms of aptamers and riboswitches. This knowledge will further the development of aptamers into useful bioanalytical tools and therapeutics.
Outside The Lab: Fitness, Cooking, Gardening, Tabletop Games and collectible card games.
Rajesh Kumar Reddy Sannapureddi
2016: Integrated M.Sc. in Chemistry, National Institute of Technology Rourkela (NIT Rourkela), Odisha, India
2024: Ph.D. in Chemistry, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research Bhopal (IISER Bhopal), Madhya Pradesh, India
Research Interests:
Structural biology, biophysics, and molecular biochemistry
Future Plans:
I aim to pursue an academic career focused on the structural biology and biophysics of nucleic acids and DNA/RNA–protein complexes.
Outside the Lab:
I enjoy long walks in nature, reading, and listening to music.
Staff:
Sydney Steele
B.S. Biochemistry, UM (2025)
Outside of lab: I enjoy watching movies, going on bug walks, and playing with my cat!
Future: I hope to obtain an MD/PhD to become a physician scientist.
Graduate Students:
Aldrex Munsayac
2017 A.S. Chemistry, Physics, and Math, Merced College
2020 B.S. Chemistry, Minor in Applied Math, UC Santa Cruz
Graduate Student, Chemistry Department
Outside of lab: basketball, gym, audiobooks, YouTube/Netflix, chess, and eating food/trying new cuisines.
Grace Arhin
2019, BSc. Chemistry, KNUST, Ghana
Graduate Student - Biophysics
Outside of lab - watching comedy and crime tv shows, gyming and hanging out with friends
Cade Harkner
2022 B.S. Chemistry (Honors), University of Wisconsin – Madison
Research Interests: To me, RNA is perhaps one of the most interesting and versatile biomolecules: biology's Swiss Army knife. RNA protein interactions are at the heart of many crucial biochemical processes, and I am excited to take my previous experiences with mRNA and move to investigating the vast world of non-coding RNAs!
Outside the lab: tabletop gaming, video games, hanging out with friends, reading, and hiking
Megan Westwood
2019 B.S. Chemistry, Missouri State University
2022 M.S. Chemistry, Missouri State University
Graduate Student, Biophysics
Outside of lab: playing with my dogs, video games, art, and reading
Neha Deshpande
2022 Integrated M.Sc. Chemistry, S.V. National Institute of Technology, Surat, India
Graduate Student, Chemistry Department
Outside of lab: Cooking, art, fitness, and music
Antigone Wilson
2023 B.S. Chemistry, Minors in Biology, Education, and Mathematics, Valparaiso University
2024 M.S. Chemistry, University of Michigan
Graduate Student, Chemistry
Outside of lab: taking care of my plants, baking, crafting, and reading
Undergraduates:
Jocelyn Chen
Junior, B.S. Biochemistry
Outside the lab: I enjoy going on runs, hanging out with friends, and playing the piano and violin.
Future: I hope to obtain my Ph.D. in Chemistry and pursue a career in academia in the future.
Aiden Saunders
Junior, B.S. Biochemistry
Outside The Lab: I enjoy playing my saxophone, singing, acting, baking, and getting coffee
Future: I hope to obtain an M.S. or Ph.D. in biochemistry and pursue a career in industry.
Diane Beganovic
Senior, B.S. Biochemistry (2026)
Outside The Lab: I enjoy skateboarding, cultivating mushrooms, feeding and listening to birds, gardening, and spending time with my dog, Louie.
Future: I hope to pursue a PhD in biochemistry to study serotonin receptor mutations and their link to neuropsychiatric disorders.
