Posts by Colleen
Lupus Walk
MMRI, in partnership with the Lupus and Allied Diseases Association, Inc., was thrilled to have held the area’s first Lupus Walk to support lupus research in Utica, New York at the Masonic Care Community Campus. Over 350 participants from across the region joined us to walk a one or three mile course. The event began…
Read More1958 Gala
On Saturday, March 23, 2024, MMRI held its first annual 1958 Gala at the Fort Schuyler Clubhouse in Utica, New York, to raise awareness and support for its groundbreaking medical research. The proceeds benefited the organization’s innovative biomedical research in cardiovascular disease, neurocognitive disorders and autoimmunity. The 1958 Gala took guests through an immersive journey…
Read MoreMaria I. Kontaridis, Ph.D., to Head National Council for the American Heart Association
On Monday, July 1, 2024, Maria Kontaridis, Ph.D., became the chair of the American Heart Association’s Basic Cardiovascular Sciences (BCVS) Council. BCVS is one of the largest councils at the Association and one of the largest organizations in cardiovascular sciences globally, with about 5,000 members from more than 45 countries. Its mission is to promote…
Read MoreMaria Kontaridis, Ph.D., awarded New York State Senate Commendation Award
At a special ceremony on Friday, October 25, 2024, at Munson in Utica, New York State Sen. Joseph Griffo, R-C-Rome, presented New York State Senate Commendation Awards to several residents of the 53rd Senate District. Commendations are one of the highest honors that the Senate can use to recognize individuals who have served and made lasting…
Read MoreNIH Awards $3.7 Million Grant to MMRI Researcher Investigating Pulmonary Embolism
The National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI) of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) recently awarded a $3.7 million grant to support a project led by Principal Investigator, Chase Kessinger, Ph.D., assistant professor of biomedical research and translational medicine at Masonic Medical Research Institute (MMRI) to research the third most common cause of cardiovascular…
Read MoreFaculty Member Receives Prestigious Promotion to Associate Professor
Zhiqiang Lin, Ph.D., has been promoted to associate professor of biomedical research and translational medicine at the MMRI, recognizing his significant contributions since joining the organization in 2018. Lin has been instrumental in advancing cardiovascular research as a key faculty member at MMRI. Lin earned his Ph.D. from Peking University in 2008, followed by postdoctoral…
Read MoreMMRI awarded $200,000 by Lupus and Allied Diseases Association
On Thursday, August 14, 2024, officials from MMRI received a surprise announcement by LADA President and CEO, Kathleen Arntsen, that its three previously supported SLE research projects would receive an additional $50,000 each this year, and for one new project focused on lupus nephritis, which received an additional $50,000, totaling $200,000. The check was presented…
Read MoreMMRI Held Graduation Ceremony for Largest Summer Fellowship Cohort To-Date
On Friday, July 26, 2024, MMRI held its annual graduation ceremony to honor the accomplishments of its 19 Summer Fellows who completed the esteemed scientific program. For ten weeks, these Summer Fellows studied under MMRI’s principal investigators (PI) gaining invaluable scientific research experience, as well as with administrative executives, gaining insights into MMRI’s operational endeavors.…
Read MoreUndergrad students look to gain scientific research experience with MMRI fellowship program
Masonic Medical Research Institute, a non-profit in Utica that researches new ways to fight disease, is a little more than halfway done with its annual fellowship program that this year boasts the largest class of fellows. “Julia and I are putting together this peptide drugs,” Dr. Khan Ha said. Ha is the coordinator for Masonic…
Read MoreMMRI Recruits New Associate Professor to Utica from University of Louisville
Matthew Nystoriak, Ph.D., has been recruited to Utica and named associate professor of biomedical research and translational medicine at MMRI. In this role, Nystoriak will spearhead a laboratory dedicated to coronary blood flow and cardiovascular medicine. Specifically, his laboratory will research the regulation of myocardial perfusion, examining blood flow through the heart muscle and its…
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