The Lundquist Institute

09/08/2025

“Through HSSFP, I gained insight into the various paths people take to secure a research position. For the first time, I met others who shared my intention: to contribute to biomedical innovation and raise awareness of the health conditions many people endure,” Enrique shares.

Read Enrique’s inspiring High School Summer Fellows journey and discover how early exposure to research is shaping the next generation of innovators: bit.ly/4m956XM

Pictured: Image of immunofluorescent-stained neurons affected by Sanfilippo Syndrome.

Through HSSFP... I met others who shared my intention: to contribute to biomedical innovation.

08/30/2025

We're excited to announce that TLI Postdoc Fellow Randa Belgacemi, PhD has received the National Institutes of Health (NIH) K99/R00 Pathway to Independence Award from the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI)!

This prestigious grant supports her innovative research into how the Hedgehog signaling pathway and primary cilia guide human lung development—with important implications for understanding and treating bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) and other chronic lung diseases. 🧬

This award reflects Belgacemi's and TLI's dedication to advancing knowledge in women’s and children’s health through cutting-edge science!

08/29/2025

From exploring the link between sleep loss and diabetes to unlocking pneumonia immunity, our latest newsletter features pioneering news, event highlights, and insights on what's happening at The Lundquist Institute!🔬

Want TLI updates straight to your inbox? Join a growing network of , leaders, researchers, and advocates staying ahead of tomorrow’s medical challenges. here and be the first to access the science, stories, and milestones driving our mission forward: bit.ly/4g1iY4Y

08/29/2025

A significant advancement from TLI Investigator Dr. Frans Walther and his team is gaining global recognition for its potential to transform neonatal care: a low-cost, aerosolized lung surfactant designed for premature to breathe more easily — particularly in low-resource environments.

This pioneering therapy requires no intubation, no ventilators, and minimal training to administer, making it a practical and scalable solution for systems worldwide. The work has drawn praise from global leaders, including Bill Gates who called it “kind of a miracle.”

Frans Walther, MD, PhD, a physician-scientist at The Lundquist Institute, and his research group have developed a low-cost, aerosolized synthetic lung surfactant therapy to treat infant respiratory distress syndrome (RDS).

08/28/2025

Research breakthrough! TLI Investigator Marc Swidergall, PhD and his team received a $449K National Institutes of Health (NIH)/National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) grant to advance research on neonatal immunity and fungal colonization.🦠

Using a novel neonatal mouse model, the team is uncovering how newborns maintain a delicate balance with Candida albicans—offering critical insights that could lead to better prevention strategies for our most vulnerable populations. Read more: https://bit.ly/469w7FH 🔬

08/28/2025

This summer, Riya Singh joined The Lundquist Institute as a High School Summer Fellow and walked away with more than just lab skills. In her latest article, Riya shares how her carefully laid research plans quickly evolved, teaching her to embrace flexibility, adapt to change, and see challenges as powerful opportunities for growth.

From planned experiments to surprise pivots, Riya found encouragement from the mentors and scientists who make our research community special. Even when experiments don’t go as expected, the journey is just as meaningful as the results.

A huge thanks to our TLI mentors who helped turn detours into discoveries. Dive into Riya Singh’s summer reflection: bit.ly/4n4SyBH.

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08/27/2025

We’re proud to announce that TLI Investigator Peter Liu, MD, PhD has been awarded a $2.78 million National Institutes of Health (NIH) R01 grant to investigate how loss and circadian disruption can lead to insulin resistance—a key step toward preventing type 2 in night‑shift workers.

His research will explore the mechanisms behind cortisol’s effect on , paving the way for real-world prevention strategies, especially for essential workers. Read more:

Peter Liu, MBBS, PhD, a distinguished investigator in Translational Genomics and Population Sciences at TLI, has been awarded a highly competitive R01 grant from the National Institutes of Health’s Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute.

08/26/2025

“Our work goes beyond service delivery; we build trust, empower families, and advocate for equity in public health,” said Marisela Montoya, EdD, TLI Investigator and Executive Director of The Lundquist Women, Infants and Children (WIC) Program.

TLI's WIC South Los Angeles goes far beyond food and assistance. The program is a vital community resource that provides breastfeeding support, access to essential health and social services, as well as educational events like Story Time to promote early literacy and school readiness.

Discover how the team at WIC finds innovative ways to meet the evolving needs of the families and communities they serve: bit.ly/4mJm8wA

08/25/2025

How is transforming and the efficiency of cardiac imaging?

At the American Society for Preventive Cardiology 2025, TLI Investigator Matthew Budoff, MD breaks down how AI, advanced imaging, and breakthrough research are reshaping preventive .

🎥 Watch Dr. Budoff's full interview with CardioVisual to learn more about the role of imaging in personalizing prevention and guiding targeted therapies, as well as what’s next for managing atherosclerosis (or the plaque buildup in and on the artery walls): bit.ly/4662Sn8

At ASPC 2025, Dr. Matthew Budoff (Professor of Medicine, Director of Cardiac CT at Harbor-UCLA Medical Center) discusses how artificial intelligence, advance...

08/23/2025

To celebrate the incredible people behind TLI and spotlight our team, we’ve launched The Lundquist Institute Voices 💬 Through rapid fire questions, our team members share their unique stories, perspectives, and passions. Get ready to meet the voices that make TLI a special and innovative place 🚀

Meet Eman Youssef, a California Institute for Regenerative Medicine Postdoctoral Fellow who is currently transitioning to an early-stage independent investigator role in the Division of Infectious Diseases. 🧫🧪 Eman is pursuing research that aims to improve lives in a deeper and more meaningful way, from discovering new therapies to tackling the most stubborn pathogens — a childhood dream of hers.

08/22/2025

Meet TLI’s philanthropic champions, Melanie and Richard Lundquist, whose deep-rooted passion and visionary support have powered transformational change at TLI: fueling innovation through researcher-focused funding, upgrading infrastructure, and advancing life‑saving biomedical research.

“When you provide funding with intention, your money works in perpetuity. Like a stone thrown into a pond, there is a ripple effect,” said Melanie Lundquist. “You have the ability to remove obstacles to care, and to save lives.”

Read more about their legacy and heartfelt connection to TLI's mission: bit.ly/3UHbyKs

Recognizing both the urgent need for upgraded facilities and the organization’s exceptional talent and potential for groundbreaking medical research, Melanie and Richard made their initial generous contribution of $1 million in 2012.

08/21/2025

We are proud to share that Nicholas Jendzjowsky, PhD and his team has been awarded a $3.3 million, five-year R01 grant from the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI).

This prestigious funding will support his team’s pioneering research into how sensory neurons influence antibody production during infection. Their work has the potential to transform our understanding of immunity and advance new approaches to treatment. Read the full story here: https://bit.ly/3Ju4yxY