Maureen McKeague
Assistant Professor
- aptamers
- ribozymes
- transcription factors
- leukemia
- riboswitches
Prof. Maureen McKeague received her PhD in Chemistry from Carleton University, then conducted postdoctoral research at Stanford University and ETH Zurich. She is currently an Assistant Professor with a dual appointment in the Departments of Chemistry and Pharmacology & Therapeutics.
Prof. McKeague’s interdisciplinary research group is developing nucleic acid tools to treat and characterize blood diseases. Achievements include the development of encodable RNA switches for non-invasive drug monitoring in cells and live animals (Nat Commun 2019, Chemical Science 2023), innovating robust diagnostics for detecting viruses and malaria, and discovering oligonucleotide therapeutics for leukemia targets (Cell Reports Medicine 2023, Leukemia 2024).
Prof. McKeague’s leadership in nucleic acid research has been recognized with a Canada Research Chair, Kavli Foundation Emerging Researcher Award, and Cole Foundation Transition Award. She is the Vice-President of the International Society on Aptamers and Associate Editor for the Molecular Therapy Nucleic Acids.