News 2025
American Diabetes Month
38 million Americans are currently living with diabetes (about 1 in 10), and about 90 percent of them have type 2 diabetes (CDC). Recently, Dr. Maria Kontaridis and her lab published a paper identifying a promising molecular target to protect the heart against damage caused by high-fat diet and obesity. Dr. Kontaridis’ research highlights the…
Read MoreThe American Heart Association Awards Research Grant to MMRI Scientist Investigating Fatty Liver Disease
Zhiqiang Lin, Ph.D., hopes to improve the quality of life for millions suffering from the illness The American Heart Association (The Association) recently awarded a $300,000 grant to support a project led by Principal Investigator, Zhiqiang Lin, Ph.D., associate professor of biomedical research and translational medicine at Masonic Medical Research Institute (MMRI), to investigate new…
Read MoreMasonic Medical Research Institute (MMRI) Awarded $200,000 by Lupus and Allied Diseases Association, Inc. (LADA)
Funding to support four innovative research projects in lupus UTICA, N.Y. – On Thursday, August 14, 2025, officials from MMRI received a surprise announcement by LADA President and CEO, Kathleen A. Arntsen, that its three previously supported lupus research projects would receive an additional $50,000 each this year, and for one new project focused on…
Read MoreMasonic Medical Research Institute Publishes Another Major Study Uncovering Key Proteins that Keep the Heart Beating Properly
UTICA, NY – A groundbreaking new study led by researchers at the Masonic Medical Research Institute (MMRI) has identified that two closely related proteins, RBPMS and RBPMS2, act in tandem to protect the heart’s ability to process the genetic information needed for normal heart development and function. This process, called splicing, edits a gene’s RNA…
Read MoreDOD Awards Research Grant to MMRI Scientist Investigating Techniques to Monitor Transplant Health in Wounded Veterans
Jason R. McCarthy, Ph.D., hopes to improve the quality of life for millions of soldiers following traumatic events UTICA, N.Y. – The Department of Defense (DOD) recently awarded a $500,000 grant to support a project led by Principal Investigator, Jason R. McCarthy, associate professor of biomedical research and translational medicine at Masonic Medical Research Institute…
Read MoreMMRI Held Graduation Ceremony for 2025 Summer Fellowship Cohort
UTICA, NY – On Friday, July 25, 2025, MMRI held its annual graduation ceremony to honor the accomplishments of its 13 Summer Fellows who completed the esteemed scientific program. For ten weeks, these Summer Fellows studied in the laboratories of MMRI’s principal investigators (PI) gaining invaluable scientific research experience. This rigorous and competitive program selected…
Read MoreMMRI Publishes Breakthrough Study on Combating Heart Disease Linked to Obesity and High-Fat Diet
Utica, NY – A groundbreaking new study led by researchers at the Masonic Medical Research Institute (MMRI) has identified a promising molecular target to protect the heart against damage caused by high-fat diet and obesity. The study, published this week in the leading journal Science Signaling, highlights the protein tyrosine phosphatase PTP1B, a nodal enzyme…
Read MoreMasonic Medical Research Institute (MMRI) Welcomes 13 Students to Prestigious Summer Fellowship Program
UTICA, NY – MMRI is thrilled to welcome 13 undergraduate students to its highly esteemed 2025 Summer Fellowship program. For ten weeks, these Summer Fellows will study in the laboratories of MMRI’s principal investigators (PI) gaining invaluable scientific research experience. This rigorous and competitive program selects students based on academic excellence and demonstrated drive to…
Read MoreMMRI and LADA Hold Walk to Support Lupus Research in Honor of Lupus Awareness Month
On Saturday, May 17, 2025, the Masonic Medical Research Institute (MMRI) hosted more than 250 people at the Masonic Care Community Campus, located at 2150 Bleecker Street, Utica, New York, to walk in support of its lupus research. Food trucks and a “fun zone” for kids with face painting, crafts and yard games were available…
Read MoreVisiting Speaker Series – Fall 2024/Winter 2025
MMRI is thrilled to host scientists from around the world as part of its Invited Speaker Series. Since August, three scientists have traveled to Utica, New York, to share their research with the staff at MMRI. All speakers research cardiovascular medicine. The featured speakers include Mirela Delibegovic, Ph.D., Sakthivel Sadayappan, Ph.D., MBA, FAHA, and Robert…
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