LARRY
J. TAKEMOTO
University Distinguished Professor of biology
Through his work in vision and lens protein biochemistry, Larry
J. Takemoto has made fundamental contributions in vision research
that have produced new knowledge about the biochemical processes
involved in the formation of cataracts within the human eye and
about the structural changes in proteins on the lens of the eye.
His contributions to the fundamental knowledge of the lens and
the molecular details of cataract formation are widely recognized,
bringing national and international attention to Kansas State
University.
Takemoto joined the K-State faculty in 1978, and has received numerous federal and industry grants for his vision research from the National Institutes of Health's National Eye Institute, Bristol-Myers and the National Society to Prevent Blindness, and others. He is a member and past chair of the Lens Advisory Panel, which establishes strategic planning for lens and cataract research for the National Eye Institute. He also is a member of the National Advisory Eye Council of the National Eye Institute. The council sets policy for all of the research conducted by the National Eye Institute, which amounts to 75 percent of all eye research conducted by the federal government.
Takemoto was honored with a Higuchi-KU Endowment Research Advancement Award in 2008. He is president of the Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology (ARVO). He also is a recipient of a Rohto Award from the ARVO for outstanding cataract research.In 1987 he received the Alcon Research Institute Award for outstanding contributions in the field of vision research. He was named a University Distinguished Professor at K-State in 2001.
He received his bachelor's degree in chemistry from Hartwick College, Oneonta, N.Y.; a master's in physical chemistry from Yale University, New Haven, Conn.; and a doctorate in biochemistry from Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colo.
Takemoto can be reached at 785-532-6811, or by e-mail at takemlj@k-state.edu