19 Students to Take Part in MMRI Summer Fellowship Program

Scientists pouring chemicals

MMRI is thrilled to welcome 19 undergraduate students to its highly esteemed 2024 Summer Fellowship program. For ten weeks, these Summer Fellows will study under MMRI’s principal investigators (PI) gaining invaluable scientific research experience, as well as with administrative executives, gaining insights into MMRI’s operational endeavors. This rigorous and competitive program selects students based on…

Read More

MMRI Receives Summer Fellowship Grant From Community Foundation

Lab tech working on a research project

The Community Foundation of Herkimer and Oneida Counties announced more than $2 million in grants during the first quarter of 2024 to organizations and initiatives primarily in the areas of human services, health, arts and culture, and education. In February, the Community Foundation invited Herkimer and Oneida County nonprofits to apply for its Education, Health,…

Read More

Science Spotlight: Dr. Nunes Santos & Miss Della Posta

Scientists pose in front of a microscope

Luana Nunes Santos, Ph.D., postdoctoral fellow and Ariana Della Posta, research assistant, under Maria Kontaridis, Ph.D., executive director, are working on autism research. Most recently the duo is focused on understanding the molecular connection underlying congenital heart defect (CHD) and autism spectrum disorder (ASD).The studies being conducted aim to determine the consequences and the cellular…

Read More

American Heart Association Go Red for Women Luncheon raises funds

Dr. Kontaridis speaking at Go Red For Women lunch

We were honored to be a part of this year’s American Heart Association Mohawk Valley Go Red For Women luncheon, held on Thursday, May 2, 2024. Dr. Kontaridis alongside panel members Dr. Antilus, OB/GYN, and survivor Stephanie Mazloom Hammond had the privilege of inspiring and educating others. It was the American Heart Association’s 20th annual…

Read More

$300,000 Goes to Autism and Cardiac Research in Utica

Scientists working

Dr. Adife Gulhan Ercan-Sencicek is an instructor at the Masonic Medical Research Institute, and Dr. Maria Kontaridis is its executive director. The COVID-19 pandemic hasn’t stopped the institute’s studies. “It’s very exciting to work in this collaborative environment, not only Dr. Kontaridis, but also other principal investigators,” said Dr. Gulhan Ercan-Sencicek. Ercan-Sencicek is studying if…

Read More

MMRI Studying Link Between Heart Defects and Autism

Dr. Kontaridis giving an interview

Scientists in Utica are studying if there a connection between autism and congenital heart defects. The research is being done thanks to more than $400,000 in grants from the American Heart Association. The Masonic Medical Research Institute’s executive director says that there could be a link. She says almost all of the patients they study…

Read More