Sydney Kekel

Research Laboratory Tech

sydkekel@med.umich.edu

I graduated with a B.S. in Cell and Molecular Biology from Grand Valley State University in the spring of 2026. I found a love for research in my undergrad with both molecular biology and behavioral neuroscience. I have previously investigated the effects of lanthanides in cytoplasmic streaming in Chara, inducing RNA expression from cloned DNA libraries in soybeans, as well as how lead exposure effects addictive behavior, and the neuroprotective effects of caffeine and eicosanoyl-5-hydroxytryptamide (EHT) for Parkinson’s Disease in rat models. I started with the Kaczorowski lab in fall of 2026, working to better understand pathways that lead to tau tangles in the brain, and identify genes related to sleep deprivation and susceptibility to cognitive decline related to Alzheimer’s Disease. Outside of the lab I love reading, golfing, and hanging out and playing games with friends and family.