Masonic Medical Research Institute
About MMRI
MMRI is an independent medical research institute performing collaborative research in complex diseases and genetic disorders that will enable tomorrow’s cures.
In 1958, MMRI was founded by the New York State Grand Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons after they helped raise funds to eradicate rheumatic diseases. Today, MMRI focuses on propelling medical science, empowering scientists to take risks, sharing ideas, and building an inclusive community.
​
MMRI's Mission
MMRI is dedicated to improving the health and quality of life for all humankind. Our primary
mission is to conduct high-quality basic biomedical and clinical research aimed at generating
knowledge and information necessary for understanding molecular mechanisms of disease and
the development of medical cures and treatments of tomorrow. MMRI is also committed to
providing education and training to basic scientists, clinical researchers, and students who will
perpetuate and extend the fight against disease worldwide.​
Executive Director Dr. Maria I. Kontaridis
Dr. Maria Kontaridis is the executive director, Gordon K. Moe professor and chair of biomedical
research and translational medicine, and the director of research at MMRI. She also holds a part-
time faculty appointment as an associate professor of medicine at Harvard Medical School and
Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Department of Medicine/Division of Cardiology in
Boston, Massachusetts. Dr. Kontaridis received her undergraduate degrees (B.A. and B.S.) from
the University of Florida in Classics and Chemistry, Gainesville, Florida, and subsequently
obtained her master’s degrees in pharmacology and biomedical and biological sciences from
Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut, in 1999 and 2001, respectively. In 2002, she was
awarded a Ph.D. from Yale University. In 2015, she was named director of basic cardiovascular
research at BIDMC and in 2016 was promoted to associate professor of medicine at Harvard
Medical School. In 2018, Dr. Kontaridis became the director of research at the Masonic Medical
Research Institute in Utica, NY, and in 2020 was promoted to executive director. Dr. Kontaridis’
independent research program focuses on the fundamental mechanisms underlying congenital
heart disease and end-stage heart failure, as well as the processes that lead to abnormal
development, aberrant signaling and disease onset of lupus, gastrointestinal disease, autism, and
cancer.
Fast Facts:
-
6 Principal Investigators running cutting-edge research laboratories (and growing)
-
65 employees
-
Over 400 published articles in scientific journals
-
Multiple patents and patent disclosures
-
Countless research breakthroughs
Heart Disease
Cardiovascular disease is a leading cause of death in the United States. Since our humble beginnings in 1958, MMRI has been making significant strides in heart disease research with a
focus on the molecular and genetic effects that lead to the onset of congenital heart disease, adult-stage heart failure, diabetes-associated cardiovascular disease, cardiac inflammation, cardiomyopathies, atherosclerosis, thrombosis, and arrhythmias.
Autoimmune Disease
Our teams are working to identify novel genes and pathways leading to the development of autoimmune disorders, including systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), Type I diabetes,
rheumatoid arthritis and psoriasis. We are working to understand the molecular targets affected by these genetic changes and are striving to identify better diagnostics and develop novel therapies for treatment, to find potential cures for these disorders.
Neurocognitive Diseases
Our teams are working to identify novel genes and causal factors associated with the development of autism, Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, and post-traumatic stress
disorder. Specific projects also focus on understanding the environmental, genetic, and socioeconomic consequences of increased incidence of autism, as well as determining the
molecular and genetic links between neurocognitive anomalies and cardiovascular disease.