MMRI 2025 Summer Fellowship Program Open For Applications

Richard Chen looking at microscope

The MMRI Summer Fellowship is a 10-week hands-on scientific training program for undergraduate and graduate students. The 2025 fellowship will take place from Monday, May 19, 2025, through Friday, July 25, 2025, at the MMRI campus, located at 2150 Bleecker Street, Utica, New York. The program is open to both local students and students from…

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MMRI Scientist Publishes Breakthrough Study Detailing How Ketones Improves Blood Flow to the Heart

Matt Nystoriak Headshot

UTICA, N.Y. – Matthew Nystoriak, Ph.D., associate professor of biomedical research and translational medicine at Masonic Medical Research Institute (MMRI), has uncovered groundbreaking insights into heart health in a recent study titled, Myocardial Hyperemia via Cardiomyocyte Catabolism of β-Hydroxybutyrate. The research highlights how a ketone body called β-hydroxybutyrate (3-OHB) — a molecule produced by the…

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Maria Kontaridis, Ph.D., awarded New York State Senate Commendation Award

Maria Kontaridis, Ph.D. with Senator Griffo winning the 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…

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NIH Awards $3.7 Million Grant to MMRI Researcher Investigating Pulmonary Embolism

Portrait of Chase Kessinger

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…

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Faculty Member Receives Prestigious Promotion to Associate Professor

Portrait of Zhiqiang Lin

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…

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MMRI awarded $200,000 by Lupus and Allied Diseases Association

Members of MMRi and LADA with check

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…

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MMRI Held Graduation Ceremony for Largest Summer Fellowship Cohort To-Date

19 Summer Fellows with Dr. Kontaridis for a group photo

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.…

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MMRI Recruits New Associate Professor to Utica from University of Louisville

Portrait of Matt Nystoriak

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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