Rate My Professor Renae Ryan

Professor Ryan leads a research team that applies structural biology and biophysical techniques to investigate the molecular mechanisms of neurotransmitter and amino acid transporters, focusing on their roles in cancer and neurological diseases such as episodic ataxia. Her key publications include "Coupling substrate and ion binding to extracellular gate of a sodium-dependent aspartate transporter" (2007), "Mechanisms of glutamate transport" (2013), "Targeting glutamine transport to suppress melanoma cell growth" (2014), "Loss-of-function mutations in the glutamate transporter SLC1A1 cause human dicarboxylic aminoaciduria" (2011), and articles in Nature and Nature Structural & Molecular Biology (2007). She has held an Australian Research Council Future Fellowship and NHMRC Career Development Fellowship. Among her major awards are Member of the Order of Australia (AM) in 2023 for service to biomedical science and diversity and inclusion, Eureka Prize for Outstanding Mentor of Young Researchers (2023), Nancy Millis Medal for Women in Science (2023), Fellow of the Royal Society of New South Wales (FRSN), NSW Tall Poppy Award (2012), JA Young Medal (2017), AK McIntyre Prize (2010), and Dennis Wade Johnson & Johnson New Investigator Award (2007). Professor Ryan contributes to teaching in third-year pharmacology and physiology courses (PCOL3012, PCOL3022, PHSI3009), the Medical Program, and Doctor of Dental Medicine. Her leadership has advanced gender equity and mentoring in STEM.