Research Takes Center Stage at Lupus Awareness Event

lupus awareness badge

May 19, 2023 The Lupus and Allied Diseases Association, Inc., and MMRI teamed up on May 19 at the MMRI campus in Utica. Local leaders, patient advocates, and scientists alike came together to both raise awareness and celebrate the positive steps made towards combating lupus. More than 1.5 million Americans, and 5 million people worldwide,…

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Super Bowl Ad Reaches New Audience for MMRI

MMRI logo next to a football

February 12, 2023 The MMRI reached a new nationwide audience with its “Every Heartbeat Counts” advertisement that appeared at Super Bowl LVII in Phoenix, Arizona. News about the ad also reached a national audience when the story by the Utica Observer-Dispatch was featured by Yahoo! Sports News. The ad, which was steeply discounted for the…

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Healthline: Benefits and Concerns of Genetic Testing

December 14, 2022: Dr. Nathan Tucker of the Masonic Medical Research Institute (MMRI), an expert on genomics, was quoted in Healthline magazine regarding the concerns and benefits for genetic testing. Study Begins on Genetic Testing of Infants for Diseases: The Benefits and Concerns By Tony Hicks Fact checked by Jill Seladi-Schulman, Ph.D. What experts think…

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New ‘Kessinger Lab’ Marks Continued Expansion of the MMRI

Dr. Kessinger headshot

The Masonic Medical Research Institute (MMRI) recently promoted Chase Kessinger, Ph.D., to assistant professor and added a new lab to the growing institute. Kessinger’s research utilizes imaging techniques to study a range of interests including deep-vein thrombosis, pulmonary embolism, heart failure, atherosclerosis, and other cardiovascular diseases.  

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Scientists Work to Identify, Treat Heart Disease

scientists working

  September 21, 2022 Spectrum News (video) https://spectrumlocalnews.com/nys/binghamton/news/2022/10/13/utica-scientists-finding-new-way-to-identify–treat-heart-disease Utica scientists work to identify, treat heart disease By Melissa Krull Utica PUBLISHED 5:00 PM ET Oct. 13, 2022 Researchers at Masonic Medical Research Institute are studying a gene to see if it impacts heart disease. They have found that the gene, VGLL4, is necessary for embryo…

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MMRI Expansion Plans and Profile

Dr. Ha pouring chemicals

MMRI Looks to Add New Location, New Faculty Central New York Business Journal October 3, 2022 https://www.cnybj.com/mmri-looks-to-add-new-location-new-faculty/ (Click here for the PDF)   BY TRACI DELORE UTICA — Some might say Utica is home to a “hidden gem” that has played a role in saving countless lives from heart attacks and continues to work to…

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CNY Business Journal: Dr. Kontaridis Named Vice Chair of AHA Council

Dr. Maria Kontaridis headshot

August 11, 2022: Dr. Maria Kontaridis, the Executive Director of the Masonic Medical Research Institute, is the new Vice Chair of the American Heart Association’s Basic Cardiovascular Sciences Council Leadership Committee. The two-year, volunteer position is progressive, meaning she will be the next Chair of the committee in 2024. Dr. Kontaridis is the Gordon K.…

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Revealing COVID’s Impact on the Heart

graphic of a heart and covid-19

August 2, 2022 Heart damage has been noticed among many patients hospitalized with Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2, the virus which causes COVID-19), leading many to wonder how it is that the virus affects the heart. New research reveals that the spike protein from SARS-CoV-2 can lead to heart muscle injury through a…

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Summer Fellows Celebrate 10 Weeks of Science Exploration

Summer fellow presents

July 29, 2022 Ten weeks of intensive science work and exploration was celebrated with a graduation ceremony on Friday, July 29, for the Summer Fellows of the Masonic Medical Research Institute (MMRI). The Fellows presented in-depth science presentations to an audience of researchers and dignitaries. Special guests included New York State Assemblywoman Marianne Buttenschon, and…

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