
Always positive and enthusiastic in class.
Always supportive and understanding.
A true inspiration to all learners.
Always positive and enthusiastic in class.
Dr Michael Takagi is a Clinical Neuropsychologist and Senior Lecturer in the School of Psychological Sciences at Monash University, where he is involved in teaching, research, and clinical training within the field of Clinical Neuropsychology. His academic background includes a PhD from the University of Melbourne, awarded on 9 December 2008, for his thesis on 'The neuropsychological and neurobiological effect of inhalant abuse during adolescence'. He completed a Postgraduate Diploma in Psychology at Monash University in 2003, and earned a Bachelor of Arts in Anthropology and a Bachelor of Science in Psychology from Pennsylvania State University (1997–2001). Takagi's career appointments include Senior Clinical Neuropsychologist at the Children's Court Clinic (Victoria) since 2018, Research Fellow at the Murdoch Children's Research Institute since 2014, Honorary Research Fellow at the University of Melbourne since 2014, and co-lead of the Child, Youth, and Family Assessment Clinic at the Turner Clinics, Monash University. He leads the Developmental Neuropsychology Clinic at the Monash-Epworth Rehabilitation Research Centre.
Takagi's research specializations encompass paediatric concussion, factors predicting delayed recovery and persistent post-injury symptoms, clinical interventions for children with symptoms beyond four weeks post-injury, and neurodevelopment. As theme lead for paediatric traumatic brain injury at the Monash-Epworth Rehabilitation Research Centre, he collaborates with the Murdoch Children’s Research Institute and international partners in the USA and Canada to develop interventions supporting return to school and sport, including efficacy evaluations of neuropsychological assessment and feedback sessions using standardized tests, clinical interviews, record reviews, and behavioural observations. Key publications include 'Capillary blood protein markers of posttraumatic headache in children after concussion' (Journal of Neurosurgery: Pediatrics, 2024), 'Discovery of Alpha-1-Antichymotrypsin as a Marker of Delayed Recovery from Concussion in Children' (Journal of Neurotrauma, 2024), 'Fatigue recovery and connected factors following paediatric concussion' (British Journal of Sports Medicine, 2024), 'Longitudinal neurocognitive trajectories and risk factors in the first three months following pediatric concussion' (Brain Injury, 2024), and 'Pediatric Sport-Related Concussion: Recommendations From the Amsterdam Consensus Statement 2023' (Pediatrics, 2024). He contributes to the Turner Institute for Brain and Mental Health's neurodevelopment research theme.