Huntington Medical Research Institutes

06/01/2026

Autoimmune diseases such as multiple sclerosis, type 1 diabetes, psoriasis, and rheumatoid arthritis affect millions of people worldwide. Yet many current treatments suppress the immune system broadly, increasing the risk of infection.

Join us this week for an HMRI Scientific Lecture featuring Jeniffer B. Hernandez, PhD, Associate Professor of Immunology at Keck Graduate Institute School of Pharmacy & Health Sciences.

In her presentation, "Keeping the Immune System in Check: How a Proton-Sensing Receptor (GPR65) Regulates Autoimmunity," Dr. Hernandez will discuss how GPR65 regulates immune cell metabolism and autoimmune disease progression, and how targeting this pathway may offer a more precise approach to treating autoimmune disorders while preserving overall immune function.

📅 Wednesday, June 3
🕒 3–4 PM PST
📍 Zoom & In-Person

Register today and join us for this fascinating discussion on the future of autoimmune disease research.🎟️ https://bit.ly/4uIhoeF

05/07/2026

Today, HMRI welcomed students from the Blair High School and Middle School Health Careers Academy in Pasadena for a day focused on scientific discovery, mentorship, and career exploration.

Students had the opportunity to learn more about biomedical research through an presentation by HMRI Professor, Cardiovascular Research and Scientific Director, Education Programs, Nicole Purcell PhD, followed by a guided laboratory tour led by HMRI Postdoctoral Fellow and Instructor, Khaja Shameem Mohammed Abdul, PhD.

One of the best parts of the visit was seeing students engage so thoughtfully with the scientists, ask insightful questions, and explore what a future in healthcare and research could look like. Experiences like these can make a lasting impact by helping students see themselves in STEM spaces and introducing them to careers they may not have previously considered.

HMRI is proud to partner with programs that connect students with science, mentorship, and hands-on learning opportunities that inspire the next generation of researchers and healthcare professionals. 💙

05/06/2026

Join us today for an HMRI Scientific Lecture featuring Hussein Yassine, Professor at the Keck School of Medicine of USC, presenting:

“Drug Discovery for APOE4 Neuroinflammation: It Takes A Village”

📅 Wednesday, May 6
⏰ 3–4 PM PT
📍 In-person & Zoom
👉 Register: https://bit.ly/4d6UrKH

Dr. Yassine’s research explores how lipids, particularly omega-3 fatty acids, influence Alzheimer’s disease and cognitive decline in individuals carrying the APOE ε4 gene variant, a major genetic risk factor for Alzheimer’s. His multidisciplinary work spans basic science, brain imaging, and clinical trials, helping advance new approaches to prevention and treatment.

04/27/2026

🔬 What happens in the body after traumatic injury and how does that guide life-saving care? Join us for our next Scientific Lecture at HMRI.

"Trauma Physiology" with Anaar Siletz, MD, PhD, FACS

📅 Wednesday, April 29
⏰ 3–4 PM PT
📍 In-person & Zoom
👉 Register: https://bit.ly/4eCjmIl

Dr. Anaar E. Siletz is Assistant Professor of Clinical Surgery at the Keck School of Medicine of USC. She earned her bachelor’s degree in Molecular and Cell Biology from UC Berkeley, followed by both her MD and PhD from Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine. She then completed her general surgery residency at the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA and a fellowship in Trauma and Surgical Critical Care at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center.

University of Southern California

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