Masonic Medical Research Institute - MMRI

10/31/2025

👻 Spooky science facts to give you chills:
605,000 Americans experience a heart attack each year (CDC). ❤️

The percentage of adults with diabetes increased with age, reaching 29.2% among those aged 65 years or older (CDC). 🩸

Approximately 204,000 Americans have systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), and women are affected nine times more often than men (CDC). 🦋

From all of us at MMRI, have a happy and safe Halloween! 🎃

To learn more about how we are combating these statistics, visit ➡️ https://loom.ly/h_0Kogs

*pictured is one of our scientists and his family dressed in their costumes!

10/31/2025

MMRI was honored to be part of with Lupus and Allied Diseases Association, Inc..

10/29/2025

Today is World Stroke Day (WSD) 🧪 WSD is dedicated to raising awareness about strokes, understanding their impact and at MMRI, searching for cures and treatments. A stroke occurs when there’s a change in how blood flows through the brain, causing brain cells to suffocate. 🧠

Here at MMRI, the Kessinger lab studies venous thromboembolism, a condition that has the potential to lead to serious side effects such as stroke. Venous thromboembolism refers to a blood clot that starts in a vein. Using intravital confocal microscopy of large vein thrombosis, Dr. Kessinger has shown the ability to capture high-resolution spatial maps of the venous thrombosis inflammation and structure that will help identify potential treatments.

Learn more! ➡️ https://bit.ly/4nF8hra

10/27/2025

Thank you Spectrum News 1 Central New York/S Tier for sharing this story about Dr. Jason McCarthy's innovative research into transplant health for wounded veterans. 🌟 https://loom.ly/2geLVjA 🌟
This story highlights his work and the grant money received from the Department of Defense that enables projects like this to change the lives of our veterans.
Learn more about MMRI and Dr. McCarthy's work by visiting ➡️ https://bit.ly/42Z1Ask

The DOD awarded a $500,000 grant to Masonic Medical Research Institute to support a project that that aims to increase transplant health or wounded veterans.

10/26/2025

On Wednesday, October 22, 2025, MMRI's Shane Tinney and Zac Nordstrom were honored to attend the Greater Utica Chamber's Business After Hours, hosted by our friends at Mohawk Valley Health System!

It's hard to believe it's already the second anniversary of the opening of the Wynn Hospital for Mohawk Valley Health System! Congrats!👏🏥

10/24/2025

We had such a great time during this National Chemistry Week teaching students using a hands-on chemistry lesson in local classrooms! 🧪 Special thank you to MMRI chemists, Vikas Sharma, Ph.D., and Justin Jablonski for taking the time to educate the future generation of scientists! 📗
Check out the photos below and consider funding our scientists groundbreaking research in heart disease, autism, lupus, thrombosis and more by visiting our website, here ➡️ https://bit.ly/47sLw3r

10/22/2025

It's National Chemistry Week (NCW)! 🧫
NCW is about promoting chemistry's value in everyday life. For the third year, scientists from the McCarthy Lab at MMRI visited local schools to lead students through a fun, interactive chemistry experiment. The experiment demonstrated how water and dry ice sublime to carbon dioxide. 🧪
We were thrilled to bring chemistry into the classroom and share the joy of science with each group of students. We can't wait for next year!
Learn more about MMRI by visiting ➡️ https://bit.ly/4kWAaty

10/15/2025

Throughout the year, MMRI's scientists take part in Journal Club presentations where scientists present their critiques of published work as well as their own research to challenge and improve research initiatives. 🧪

On Thursday, September 18, 2025, Ariana Della Posta and Saravanakkumar Chennappan, Ph.D., discussed their findings:
1️⃣ Ariana explored how CRFR1 and oxytocin interact in the brain to better understand postpartum anxiety, depression and maternal behavior.
2️⃣ Dr. Chennappan presented innovative work using stem cell-derived embryos for drug testing and studying RASopathies.

Visit ➡️ https://loom.ly/h_0Kogs to learn more about our science and donate to fuel their work!

10/14/2025

Zachary Nordstrom, MMRI's development officer, recently spoke about MMRI's autism research to Central City Riverside Chapter #70 Royal Arch Masons and was presented a $2,700 donation to support our groundbreaking research! Thank you for hosting us and a special thanks to lodge leaders, Robert Bowles and Jeff Hanson, with Grand High Priest Mark Peerson.

Do you want a visit from MMRI to your lodge? Request us at ➡️ https://loom.ly/BXSvSpI.

10/14/2025

On Thursday, October 9, 2025, Jason McCarthy, Ph.D., Keith Dobbs and Zac Nordstrom proudly represented MMRI at The Genesis Group’s 25th Anniversary Dinner at Hart's Hill Inn. A big congratulations to the Genesis Group on 25 years of making a meaningful impact in the Mohawk Valley as well as to the six Joseph R. Carucci Legacy Award recipients! 👏

10/13/2025

Today is World Thrombosis Day! 🔬 Today represents a global effort to raise awareness about blood clots and their impact on health. At MMRI, the Kessinger lab studies blood clots using advanced imaging and novel therapies to improve diagnosis and treatment worldwide.

🌟 Fact: Thrombosis is responsible for 1 in 4 deaths worldwide, rendering it a major public health priority. Thrombosis is also the underlying cause of most heart attacks, strokes and venous thromboembolism, which encompasses deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism (AHA).

To learn more about about MMRI's mission to improve the lives of those with thrombosis, visit ➡️ https://loom.ly/tRABXZg

10/10/2025

On Thursday, September 25, 2025, MMRI welcomed Dr. Konstantinos Drosatos from the University of Cincinnati as a guest speaker!

He shared fascinating insights on FGF21, a hormone that helps regulate metabolism and energy balance, and its role in cardiac hypertrophy and fibrosis. His research explores the possibility of targeting the FGF21 hormone after its initial release to benefit heart function. This would be helpful in conditions like HFpEF, where the heart muscle becomes stiff.

To learn more about MMRI's heart disease research, visit https://loom.ly/LYJ44xU.