Huntington Medical Research Institutes

04/14/2026

We’re proud to share that HMRI postdoctoral fellow and instructor Khaja Shameem Mohammed Abdul, PhD served as a judge at the 75th Annual California Science and Engineering Fair California Science and Engineering Fair (CSEF) 2026, held April 11–12 on the campus of California Lutheran University in Thousand Oaks, CA

As the final science fair of the academic year for students across California in grades 6–12, CSEF has been advancing and supporting future scientists and engineers since 1952. This year’s milestone 75th anniversary event brought together approximately 900 students from 400 schools, showcasing nearly 800 research projects. Dr. Abdul evaluated projects in the Biochemistry & Molecular Biology category, engaging with innovative student research and the bright minds driving it forward.

Moments like these reflect the power of mentorship and early research experiences in shaping the future of science.

04/13/2026

🧠 What if brain bleeds could be stopped without relying on traditional clotting?

Join us this week for an HMRI Scientific Lecture featuring Abdala Elkhal, PhD, Assistant Professor of Immunology and head of the Neuro-Cardio-Immunology Laboratory at HMRI - Huntington Medical Research Institutes. Dr. Elkhal’s research explores how immune signaling and NAD+ pathways may offer a new way to control hemorrhage and reduce inflammation, with implications for stroke, cardiovascular disease, and other life-threatening conditions.

This talk is free and open to the public. Titled "Stopping Brain Bleeds Without a Clot: A New Endothelial Way to Control Hemorrhage," this presentation will highlight how innovative science is reshaping our understanding of how the body responds to injury and how we might better treat it.

📅 Wednesday, April 15
⏰ 3–4 PM PT
📍 In-person & Zoom
🎟️ Register: https://bit.ly/4sxHbV9

04/03/2026

We’re proud to share that Dr. Nicole Purcell has been elected a Fellow of the American Heart Association (FAHA).

This distinction recognizes her sustained contributions to cardiovascular research, education, and service—work that continues to deepen our understanding of heart disease and inform future therapies.

Please join us in congratulating Nicole on this well-earned recognition.

03/24/2026

This week at HMRI we’re excited to welcome Dr. Patrick Lyden, Professor of Physiology & Neuroscience and Neurology at the Zilkha Neurogenetic Institute in the Keck School of Medicine of USC for an upcoming Scientific Lecture: “Mechanisms of Differential Vulnerability in the NeuroVascular Unit”

📅 Wednesday, March 25
🕒 3–4 PM PT
📍 In-person + Zoom

Dr. Lyden—an internationally recognized leader in stroke therapy—will explore how the brain’s own protective signals shape its response to stroke, and how these discoveries are helping advance new therapies for acute cerebrovascular disease.

▶️ Register at https://bit.ly/4lT7Mub

03/19/2026

Learning CPR can make all the difference in an emergency.

Drs. Nicole Purcell and Khaja Shameem from HMRI’s Cardiovascular Signaling Lab teamed up with UCLA Health, the American Heart Association, and the Los Angeles Chargers for Huddle for Heart Health—showing students how to perform lifesaving CPR.

A powerful day of learning, teamwork, and community impact.

03/10/2026

This week! Don't forget to register for this event in partnership with Pasadena Public Library!🎟️ Register here: https://bit.ly/4bcQymD

🩺 What will the future of medicine look like when AI, data, and emerging science converge?

On March 12, HMRI - Huntington Medical Research Institutes is partnering with the Pasadena Public Library for a special One City, One Story presentation exploring how new technologies are reshaping the future of health and human discovery.

This community-focused panel brings together experts working at the intersection of AI, neuroscience, cardiovascular research, and health systems science. Designed as an open community conversation rather than a technical lecture, the event invites the public to explore how scientific discovery today may shape the way we live, heal, and understand health tomorrow.

📅 March 12 | 6–7 PM
📍 HMRI 686 S. Fair Oaks Ave, Pasadena, CA 91105
🎟️ Register here: https://bit.ly/4bcQymD

Speakers:
♥️ Dr. Rashid Alavi (HMRI & Caltech) — Boswell Postdoctoral Fellow working on developing physics-based AI tools for noninvasive diagnosis of heart attack, heart failure, and stroke

🧠 Dr. Andrew Vosko (Kaiser Permanente Bernard J. Tyson School of Medicine) — Associate Professor, neuroscientist, and leader in transdisciplinary health education

🎤 Moderated by Paul Roach — Vice President of Development at HMRI

Kaiser Permanente City of Pasadena - Public Agency

03/05/2026

🩺 What will the future of medicine look like when AI, data, and emerging science converge?

On March 12, HMRI - Huntington Medical Research Institutes is partnering with the Pasadena Public Library for a special One City, One Story presentation exploring how new technologies are reshaping the future of health and human discovery.

This community-focused panel brings together experts working at the intersection of AI, neuroscience, cardiovascular research, and health systems science. Designed as an open community conversation rather than a technical lecture, the event invites the public to explore how scientific discovery today may shape the way we live, heal, and understand health tomorrow.

📅 March 12 | 6–7 PM
📍 HMRI 686 S. Fair Oaks Ave, Pasadena, CA 91105
🎟️ Register here: https://bit.ly/4bcQymD

Speakers:
♥️ Dr. Rashid Alavi (HMRI & Caltech) — Boswell Postdoctoral Fellow working on developing physics-based AI tools for noninvasive diagnosis of heart attack, heart failure, and stroke

🧠 Dr. Andrew Vosko (Kaiser Permanente Bernard J. Tyson School of Medicine) — Associate Professor, neuroscientist, and leader in transdisciplinary health education

🎤 Moderated by Paul Roach — Vice President of Development at HMRI

Kaiser Permanente City of Pasadena - Public Agency

02/24/2026

Gloves on 🧤 Goggles up 🥽 Deadline approaching ⏱️

Applications for Summer Research Programs close soon:

• Undergraduate Program — March 6 — https://hmri.org/High-School-STEM-Program

• High School Program — March 13 — https://hmri.org/Summer-Undergraduate-Research-Fellowship

If you advise, teach, or mentor students interested in science or medicine, please share this opportunity. Students join active biomedical research labs and work directly with faculty mentors.

The Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship (SURF) has a longstanding history at HMRI, benefiting more than 600 students through hands-on biomedical research and mentorship. Through the structured eight- to ten-week SURF program, students participate in the day-to-day workings of a research lab, de...

02/23/2026

🧠 Join us for an upcoming scientific lecture with Alfred N. Fonteh, PhD, Research Professor of Clinical & Translational Neurosciences at HMRI.

“The Involvement of Lipids in Alzheimer’s Disease Pathology and Potential Therapies”

📅 Wednesday, March 4
🕒 3–4 PM
📍 In-person & Zoom
🔗 Register at https://bit.ly/4aSn0uh

Dr. Fonteh leads HMRI’s Biomarker & Neuro-Mechanism Laboratory (BNML), advancing non-invasive lipid biomarkers for early detection of Alzheimer’s disease. His work includes collaborations with Keck Medicine of USC, Caltech, Stanford University, and the Alzheimer's Association, with support from the National Institutes of Health (NIH).

02/11/2026

🧠✨ Upcoming HMRI Scientific Lecture

We’re excited to welcome Dr. Luis de la Torre-Ubieta, Assistant Professor, Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences at UCLA for a talk on: “Insights of Molecular Mechanisms of Cortical Development and Down Syndrome Through Single-cell Multi-omics.”

His lab uses powerful tools like single-cell multi-omics and long-read sequencing to better understand how the human brain develops—and what changes in these processes may contribute to Down syndrome and other neurodevelopmental conditions.

Join us in-person or virtually via Zoom! 🔗 Register here: https://bit.ly/4clxk07

02/09/2026

What if some proteins don’t have just one shape—but many?

In this short excerpt from a recent HMRI lecture, Dr. Tsui-Fen Chou (Caltech) explores “shape-shifting” proteins that challenge one of biology’s most basic assumptions.

A key focus is HINT1, a protein that acts as quality control for our cells—catching molecular mistakes before they cause harm. When that process breaks down, it can affect nerve function, cancer risk, and even behavior.

This clip only scratches the surface.

The full lecture connects the chemistry, the technology, and the real-world health implications.

▶️ Watch the full lecture here: https://hmri.org/past-events

02/02/2026

We’re thrilled to see Dr. Nicole Purcell representing us at the Bugher Foundation Collaborative Symposium in New Orleans — a platform where leading minds in brain and cognitive health come together to share, connect, and push research forward.
Huge thanks to the Bugher Foundation and the American Heart Association for supporting this spirit of collaboration. Stay tuned for photos and updates! 📷❤️