MMRI 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. This rigorous and competitive program selected students based on academic excellence, innovative scientific project ideas and demonstrated drive.

“We were delighted to celebrate our largest class to date of MMRI’s coveted Summer Fellowship program,” said Maria Kontaridis, Ph.D., executive director and Gordon K. Moe professor and chair of biomedical research and translational medicine at MMRI. “I am incredibly proud of the knowledge and skills these students have gained under the mentorship of MMRI faculty and postdoctoral fellows. The scientific principles they have now mastered at MMRI will serve them for a lifetime, and we are honored to have been part of their journey. This a testament to our mission, which includes our commitment to training future generations of scientists and clinicians.”

Throughout the program, the Summer Fellows engaged in hands-on research using cutting-edge methodologies, such as induced pluripotent stem cells and targeted drug delivery. They also participated in professional development workshops covering topics like applying to medical and graduate schools, the scientific code of conduct and didactic lectures on various scientific disciplines. The program culminated in a graduation ceremony where the Fellows presented their research to MMRI staff, colleagues, families and community members.

MMRI is proud of its legacy and the success of its fellows, with many moving on to top tier graduate schools, medical schools, pharmacy schools, veterinary schools and more. It has trained hundreds of aspiring scientists, many of whom have gone on to have diverse careers in research and medicine, some of which have been employed locally at local health systems, such as Mohawk Valley Health System, or nationally at organizations such as the Lupus Research Alliance. Many of these Summer Fellows have even returned to MMRI as postdoctoral fellows or research assistants, a true testament to the program’s success.

Story published by: WKTV, Dailey Sentinel