Renae Ryan facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Renae Ryan
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Renae Ryan in May 2024
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| Alma mater | University of Sydney |
| Awards | Member of the Order of Australia (AM), 2023 Eureka Prize for Outstanding Mentor of Young Researchers, 2023 |
| Scientific career | |
| Institutions | University of Sydney |
| Thesis | Molecular determinants for transport and ion channel functions of a human glutamate transporter (2004) |
Renae Monique Ryan AM is a scientist and leader at the University of Sydney in Australia. She studies the brain and how medicines work, which are fields called neuroscience and pharmacology. She also researches special proteins that move things in and out of our body's cells. Renae is very active in making sure that science is a fair and welcoming place for everyone. She works to increase diversity in academic careers.
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Early Life and School
Renae Ryan was born and grew up in Sydney's eastern suburbs. She attended Brigidine College Randwick for her schooling. Later, she earned her PhD from the University of Sydney in 2004.
Her Work as a Scientist
After finishing her studies in Australia, Renae worked as a researcher in the USA. She was a postdoctoral fellow at Columbia University and the National Institutes of Health. In 2010, she returned to the University of Sydney. There, she became an associate professor in the Sydney Medical School.
Renae's research focuses on tiny "pumps" inside our cells. These pumps are special proteins that move important substances like amino acids and neurotransmitters (brain chemicals) into cells. She uses special tools to study the shapes of these proteins. This helps her understand how they work.
Her work also involves designing new compounds. These compounds can target the protein pumps. This research could help create new treatments for various health problems. These include long-lasting pain, cancer, and brain-related diseases.
Why Her Research Matters
Dr. Ryan's scientific work has been recognized by many other scientists. Her studies have been referenced in over 2,900 other research papers. She has also published articles in important science journals. These include Nature and Nature Structural and Molecular Biology.
Working for Fairness in Science
When Renae was a student, she saw many women in science. But as she moved up in her career, she noticed something different. There were very few women in top science jobs. This made her want to help make things more fair.
Renae believes that to have more different kinds of people in science, we need big changes. She thinks we should change the system, not just try to change individuals. She also works as a mentor, guiding younger researchers. Her ideas about fairness in science have been shared on websites like Women's Agenda.
Awards and Recognition
Renae Ryan has received many awards for her important work. These awards recognize her research and her efforts to make science more diverse.
- Eureka Prize for Outstanding Mentor of Young Researchers (2023)
- Member of the Order of Australia (AM) (2023) – This award was for her service to science and her work in diversity.
- Nancy Mills Medal for Women in Science, Australian Academy of Science (2023)
- JA Young Medal, Sydney Medical School (2017)
- Outstanding Mentoring and Leadership Award, Sydney Medical School (2017)
- NSW Tall Poppy Award, Australian Institute of Policy and Science (2012)
- AK McIntyre Prize, Australian Physiological Society (2010)
- Young Investigator Award, Lorne Protein Conference (2008)
- Dennis Wade Johnson & Johnson New Investigator Award (2007)
- Barbara Ell Lecturer, Victor Chang Cardiac Research Institute (2007)
- Rebecca Cooper Medal, Bosch Institute (2007)
- Best Postdoctoral Publication Prize, Australian Physiological Society (2007)
