Ryu Takechi – Curtin Medical Research Institute

About

Associate Professor Ryu Takechi is an accomplished neuroscientist and vascular biologist with membership in leading professional bodies, including the Australasian Neuroscience Society, ISCBFM, Australian Vascular Biology Society, and the International Alzheimer’s Association.

With over $12 million in competitive research funding, A/Prof Ryu Takechi has led major projects supported by the NHMRC, MRFF, ARC, and the Bryant Stokes Neurological Research Foundation, focusing on neurodegeneration, vascular health, and metabolic disease.

His work has been recognised through multiple honours, including the Curtinnovation Award (2022), Mid-Career Researcher Award (2023), and the NHMRC Marshall and Warren Award (2014).

He also holds several patents in therapeutic innovations for neurological and neurodegenerative disorders, including cannabinoid encapsulation and bile acid conjugate technologies.

ISCBFM
ANZ Microcirculation Society
Australian Vascular Biology Society
Society of Neuroscience WA (SWAN)
Australasian Neuroscience Society
Nutrition Society Australia
Australian Society of Medical Research
Australian Vascular Biology Society
Dementia Australia Research Foundation
International Alzheimers Association

2025-2026 Bryant Stokes Neurological Research Foundation Project Grant $75,000 (CIA)
2024-2025 ARC LIEF $754,000 (CI)
2023-2024 Department of Health FHRIF Innovation Fellowship $150,000
2021-2024 NHMRC Ideas Grant $637,000
2021 Neurotrauma Research Program Project Grant $100,000 (CIA)
2020-2023 MRFF Neurological Disorders Grant $1,720,000 (CI)
2020 NHMRC Equipment Grant $25,000 (CI)
2020 MHRIF, WA Department of Health $20,384 (CIA)
2019 MSWA Project Grant $150,000 (CI)
2019 MHRIF, WA Department of Health $23,467 (CIA)
2019 Curtin Grant Success Panel Near-miss Funding $10,000 (CIA)
2018-2020 Zelda Therapeutics Ltd $75,000 (CIA)
2018-2019 Hunter Medical Foundation Diabetes Project Grant $20,000 (CIB)
2018 NHMRC Euipment Grant $39,000 (CIA)
2018 Dementia Australia Research Foundation Project Grant $50,000 (CIA)
2018-2021 NHMRC Boosting Dementia Research Leadership Fellowship $719,000 (CIA)
2017-2018 NHMRC Career Development Fellowship $425,048 (CIA)
2018 MHRIF, WA Department of Health $17,375 (CIA)
2017 Australian Synchrotron $2,860 (CIB)
2017 Australian Synchrotron $2,860 (CID)
2017 Australian Synchrotron $2,860 (CIC)
2016-2019 NHMRC Project Grant $261,250 (CIA)
2016- Curtin Senior Research Fellowship (CIA)
2014-2018 NHMRC Project Grant $445,206 (CIB)
2014-2015 New Independent Researcher Infrastructure Fund, Department of Health $10,000
2013 Public Health Strategic Seed Funding $10,000 (CIA)
2012-2015 NHMRC ECR Fellowship $294,892 (CIA)
2010-2011 Curtin Health Innovation Research Institute Postdoctoral Fellowship $76,377 (CIA)
2009-2011 NHMRC Project Grant $564,839 (CIC)

2023 Mid-Career Researcher Award (Curtin University)
2022 Curtinnovation Award
2021 Best Research Mentor of the Year
2021 Best Publication Award
2014 NHMRC Marshall and Warren Award
2014 Highest Resarch Performance Indext Prize, Curtin University
2013 Early Career Resarcher of the Year, Curtin University
2010 Best Graduate Award, 2nd International Symposium on Chylomicrons in disease
2009 Best Student Award, Annual Scientific Meeting of Australian Atherosclerosis Society
2009 International Graduate Student Award, 41st Annual Scientific Meeting of Japan Atherosclerosis Society
2007 Young Scholar Travel Support Award, International Symposium on Chylomicrons in Disease
2006-2009 Curtin International Research Tuition Scholarship
2004 Research Traineeship, University of Alberta, Canada
2003 Ochi Foundation Young Scholar Award, 3rd International Conference on Food Factors
2002-2003 Hyogo University Mobility in Asia and Pacific Scholarship

Clinical Randomised Controlled Trial: Cerebrovascular-focussed drug intervention study to stabilize cognitive perfomance in subjects with mild cognitive impairment
The effects of medicinal cannabinoid on cerebrovascular integrity and cognitive decline in DiAD: Diabetes-induced Alzheimer's Disease
The role of lipoprotein-associated amyloid-beta in subjects with type-2 diabetes
The effects of repeated sub-concussive impacts on blood-brain barrier and cognitive performance
The acute effects of dietary fat ingestion on plasma levels of lipoprotein-associated amyloid-beta

EMAIL: akechi@curtin.edu.au
TEL: +61 (08) 9266 1715

ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6359-3382
Google Scholar: https://scholar.google.com.au/citations?user=tvW5LXkAAAAJ&hl=en
Scopus: https://www.scopus.com/authid/detail.url?authorId=24173759200
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ryusuke-takechi-05094685/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/Ryu_Takechi
Curtin Staff Profile

Cannabinoid encapsulation technology AU2021376539A1
Bile Acid Conjugate WO2022094671A1
Provisional: agent for neurological disorders WO2023102613A1
Provisional: probucol for neurodegenerative disorders

Research Focus

Associate Professor Ryu Takechi is a translational neuroscience researcher specialising in the study of neurodegenerative disorders. His research investigates how metabolic, vascular, and inflammatory factors contribute to cognitive decline and Alzheimer’s disease, particularly in the context of type 2 diabetes and brain injury.

His work combines biodiscovery science with clinical translation, identifying disease mechanisms and potential therapeutic agents through laboratory research, followed by clinical trials and cohort studies to validate preclinical findings. Current projects include:

Cerebrovascular-targeted drug interventions to stabilise cognition in mild cognitive impairment
Medicinal cannabinoid studies on cerebrovascular integrity in diabetes-induced Alzheimer’s disease
Lipoprotein-associated amyloid-beta as a biomarker in metabolic disorders
Effects of sub-concussive impacts on the blood–brain barrier and cognition
Influence of dietary fats on amyloid-beta dynamics

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