Description

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Who We Are:

The Masonic Medical Research Institute (MMRI), located at 2150 Bleecker St., Utica, NY, 13501, is a preeminent independent research institute and a global leader in basic biomedical research which is enabling tomorrow's cures. We are a team of 50, with 35 Ph.D. scientists lead by our Executive Director Maria Kontaridis, Ph.D., the Gordon K. Moe Professor, Chair of Biomedical Research and Translational Medicine, and Director of Research at MMRI. We are a growing nonprofit, having increased our budget 140% since 2018, and expecting it to double from the current budget of $12 million within the next five years.

MMRI’s work has been spotlighted by CNN, HowStuffWorks, Medical News Today, Nature, Reuters, Salon, Sky News, WebMD, plus local affiliates for CBS, Fox, and NBC. Local coverage includes CNYBJ, Daily Sentinel, Ithaca Times, Spectrum TV, Utica Observer-Dispatch, and WKTV.  Check out the links on our website, mmri.edu.

Science:

The next time you see a defibrillator in a red case, or think about someone with a pacemaker, know that these devices were made possible by work done here in Utica at the MMRI. In its 64 years of innovating, our scientists have helped improve the lives of millions through collaborations and discoveries that aided in the development of therapeutics and medical devices.

We continually use novel technological approaches, including pluripotent stem cell biology, genome editing, single-cell sequencing, nanotechnologies, and gene therapy delivery platforms.  These techniques are all part of the basic biomedical research performed here, which studies the critical building blocks and mechanisms of living organisms to make discoveries that can be translated into clinical research and eventual cures.

Our three core areas of scientific research include:

1) Cardiovascular Diseases (i.e., congenital heart disease, heart failure, inflammation, and diabetes/obesity-related cardiovascular disease).

2) Autoimmune Diseases (i.e., lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, and colitis).

3) Neurocognitive Disorders (i.e., autism, Alzheimer’s, PTSD, and Parkinson’s disorders).

Utica:

Utica is our home, and we endeavor to raise the status and desirability of the community by bringing people from around the world to join us in our mission. MMRI has a positive ripple effect across the local economy and is a vital part of New York’s biomedical and healthcare infrastructure. NY Governor Kathy Hochul even recognized MMRI in her 2022 State of the State address, advocating for our expansion.

We have big plans to increase our research capacity, create more educational opportunities for young scientists, and continue to build partnerships with local health systems.  Together, we can make Utica a destination for medical research, training, and treatment.