Principle Investigator

Dr. Sean Moran

Assistant Professor, Southern Illinois University Carbondale, 2014-present.

Postdoctoral Researcher, University of Wisconsin-Madison, 2009-2013

Ph.D., Columbia University, 2008

M.Phil., Columbia University, 2006

M.A., Columbia University, 2003

B.Sc., McGill University, 2001

Sean Moran is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry at SIUC (2014-present). He received his B.Sc. in Biochemistry from McGill University in 2001. He did his graduate work with Brian Gibney at Columbia University in biophysical/bioinorganic chemistry with an emphasis on thermodynamics and protein design. Afterwards, he did his postdoc with Martin Zanni at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, focusing on vibrational labeling and 2D IR spectroscopy of proteins. The Moran lab at SIUC combines these interests in a wide range of projects aimed at understanding the structures and dynamics of complex biopolymers, including enzymes, DNA/RNA, and biomaterials.

Sean’s hobbies include playing the guitar, watching other people play the guitar, and complaining. He also loves cats. As a Connecticut native, he roots for the Boston Red Sox, the Boston Celtics, the UCONN Huskies, and the Hartford Whalers (RIP).

Post Docs

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We currently have no post-doctoral researchers. If you are curious about open positions, please inquire with Dr. Sean Moran at smoran@chem.siu.edu.

Graduate Students

Hannah Lepird

Hannah is a M.S. student in Biochemistry from Michigan. She started research as an undergraduate in the group and remained after receiving her B.S. in Biochemistry in May 2018. In her free time she enjoys, reading, hiking, going to the gym, and playing video games.

Sunil Basnet

Sunil is from Jhapa, Nepal. He received both a B.S. and M.S. in Chemistry from Tribhuvan University. He joined the lab in Fall 2018. Some of his hobbies include sketching with charcoals and reading/writing literature.

Poornima Wedamulla

Poornima is an international student from Sri Lanka. She received her B.S. in Chemistry from the University of Ruhuna, Sri Lanka. Some of her hobbies include trying new foods, listening to music, and watching cricket matches

Katherine (Katie) Helme

Katie was a former undergraduate member of the lab. She is now a prospective PhD student

You?

Additional graduate positions available through SIU Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry

Undergraduate Students

You?

We currently have no active undergraduate students researching in the lab. If you are interested, please contact the Principle Investigator, Dr. Sean Moran.

Alumni

Tayler D. Hill

Tayler graduated in Summer 2020 with her PhD. She is currently an Instructor for the SIU MedPrep program.

David A. Price

David graduated in Summer 2020 with his PhD. He is currently a Post-Doctoral reseacher at the Saint Louis University School of Medicine.

Joanna (Asia) Hughes

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Blaze Rightnowar

Blaze graduated in May 2019 with his B.S. in chemistry. He is currently attending graduate school at Oregon State University where he is working towards earning his PhD. His hobbies include studying classical and 20th century philosophy and playing video games.

Kaitlyn Hutson

Kaitlyn received her B.S. in Microbiology May 2019.

Brian Kettell

Brian (AKA Old Spice) graduated in May 2018 with his B.S. in Chemistry. He is current attending graduate school at the University of Tennessee Knoxville, where he is working to obtain a PhD in chemistry.