Monash University’s Pro Vice-Chancellor (Research), Professor Mike Ryan, has been awarded the Australian Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (ASBMB) 2023 Lemberg Medal.
The medal is a recognition of Professor Ryan’s outstanding research in biochemistry and molecular biology, as well as his contributions to the science community and society. In 2015 to 2016, Professor Ryan was President of ASBMB.
Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research), Professor Rebekah Brown, congratulated Professor Ryan for his achievement.
“Professor Ryan has made a transformative impact on discoveries into mitochondrial disease since his early days as a researcher. He continues to make a significant scientific contribution to biochemistry and molecular biology through his work with the Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute; and in research leadership in his role as Pro Vice-Chancellor (Research) at Monash,” Professor Brown said.
“I am immensely proud that Professor Ryan’s continued research excellence has been recognised by this prestigious award.”
The Lemberg Medal is awarded annually to a distinguished biochemist or molecular biologist whose work is predominantly based in Australia.
Professor Ryan’s leading research has contributed to fundamental discoveries into the dynamics of mitochondria in health and disease. In 2000, he was appointed as a lecturer in the Department of Biochemistry (La Trobe University) where he pioneered research into the assembly of protein machines in mitochondria.
Through his research, Professor Ryan aims to understand mitochondrial disease pathogenesis and investigate and characterise the gene products involved in mitochondrial signalling and dynamics.
Professor Ryan was appointed Pro-Vice Chancellor (Research) at Monash University in 2021. Previously he has held several academic and university leadership positions including as Head of the Department of Biochemistry (La Trobe University) and Deputy Dean of Research and Research Infrastructure (Faculty of Medicine, Monash University).
He also currently heads the Mitochondrial Biology and Disease Laboratory in the Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute.
Professor Ryan is highly involved with mentoring students and staff in his labs and supporting them with pursuing successful careers in academia, research and industry.
“Our research outcomes are the result of the collective efforts of many talented students, staff and collaborators over the years. I deeply appreciate their contributions and I am grateful for the opportunity to work with such inspiring individuals,” Professor Ryan said.