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:
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.
Grace Johnecheck
2019 B.S. Chemistry and B.A. Mathematics, Calvin University, Grand Rapids, MI
2026 Ph.D. Biochemistry, The Ohio State University
Research interests: RNA-protein interactions and dynamic RNA structures
Outside The Lab: Reading, board games, hiking
Graduate Students:
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
Ethan Dixon
2024 B.S. Chemistry (honors), Minors in Biology and Philosophy, University of South Florida
2025 M.S. Chemistry, University of Michigan
Graduate Student, Chemistry
Outside of lab: Gardening, video games, and reading
Juan Salcedo
2026 B.S. Chemistry (research concentration), Eastern Michigan University
M.S. Student, Chemistry (research-based option), University of Michigan - Ann Arbor
Research Interests: RNA structure and function, RNA-based therapeutics
Outside the lab: Crocheting, taking care of my plants, playing with my cats, and long walks on the beach
Undergraduates:
Alec Garasimowicz
2024 A.A. Chemistry Studies, CT State Community College: Gateway
Undergraduate student: Chemistry, Biophysics
Outside of lab: video games, music, grappling, lifting, language learning
Seo Lee
Undergraduate Student, University of Michigan
Outside the Lab: Photography, playing piano, video games
