MMRI holds graduation ceremony for summer fellows program

UTICA, N.Y. — Masonic Medical Research Institute (MMRI) of Utica on Friday held its annual graduation ceremony to honor the accomplishments of its 13 summer fellows who completed the scientific program. For 10 weeks, these Summer Fellows studied in the laboratories of MMRI’s principal investigators gaining scientific-research experience. MMRI selected students based on academic excellence, innovative scientific project ideas, and demonstrated drive for the program, which it describes as “rigorous and competitive,” per the announcement. “We were delighted to celebrate the work accomplished by these impressive students of MMRI’s coveted Summer Fellowship program,” Maria Kontaridis, Ph.D., executive director and Gordon K. Moe professor and chair of biomedical research and translational medicine at MMRI, said. “I am incredibly proud of the knowledge and skills these students have gained under the mentorship of MMRI faculty and postdoctoral fellows. The scientific principles they have now mastered at MMRI will serve them for a lifetime, and we are honored to have been part of their journey. This a testament to our mission, which includes our commitment to training future generations of scientists and clinicians.” Throughout the program, those involved conducted hands-on research using “state-of-the-art” techniques, such as induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) and targeted drug delivery, MMRI said. They also participated in professional-development workshops and lectures focused on the various scientific disciplines “in which MMRI excels,” the institute said. “For the past 10 weeks these students have worked diligently to not only master new skills, but to learn to think like a scientist,” Jason McCarthy, Ph.D., associate professor/scientific operations director at MMRI, said. “I could not be more proud of their hard work dedication and look forward to seeing their future successes.” Those speaking at the event included Oneida County Executive Anthony Picente, Jr. and New York State Assemblymembers Marianne Buttenschon (D–Marcy) and Brian Miller (R–New Hartford). Principal investigators and fellows The 2025 MMRI summer fellowship program involved MMRI principal investigators (bolded) and their student fellows and the colleges/universities they attend: Maria Kontaridis, Ph.D. Natalie-Lorine Barber, SUNY Polytechnic Institute Genesis Campbell, University at Buffalo Riley Collis, Emory University Amna Khan, SUNY Polytechnic Institute Claire Marshall, Rochester Institute of Technology Sandi Myint, Yale University   Chase Kessinger, Ph.D. Willa Pratt, University of Delaware Zhiqiang Lin, Ph.D.: Angelina Tangorra, Nazareth University   Jason McCarthy, Ph.D. Lucas Constantine, Hamilton College Nurhaliza Syukur, Utica University   Matthew Nystoriak, Ph.D. Cooper Borelli, Boston College Emma Burke, Bates College   Tongbin Wu, Ph.D. Victoria Cioni, Nazareth University