Lab Members

Sarah C Keane :

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.

sckeane@umich.edu

Postdocs:

Martin O’Steen :

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.

osteen@umich.edu
Rajesh Kumar Reddy Sannapureddi :

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.

rajeshrs@umich.edu

Staff:

Sydney Steele :

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.

sydstee@umich.edu

Graduate Students:

Aldrex Munsayac :

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.

brmunsay@umich.edu
Grace Arhin :

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

garhin@umich.edu
Cade Harkner :

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

charkner@umich.edu
Megan Westwood :

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

megnw@umich.edu
Neha Deshpande :

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

nehadesh@umich.edu
Antigone Wilson :

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

antigone@umich.edu

Undergraduates:

Jocelyn Chen :

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.

jocelynv@umich.edu
Aiden Saunders :

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.

aidensau@umich.edu
Diane Beganovic :

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.

dbeganov@umich.edu