American Heart Association funds cardiovascular research at MMRI

UTICA, N.Y. — Four scientists at the Masonic Medical Research Institute (MMRI) currently have cardiovascular research projects funded by the American Heart Association totaling $499,000.

“The funding provided by the American Heart Association allows MMRI to make significant strides towards finding ways to not only prevent, but to treat heart disease,” MMRI Executive Director Maria Kontaridis said in a press release. “All of us at MMRI are extremely grateful for the American Heart Association’s generous support.”

The researchers presented brief overviews of their projects on Nov. 28 to board members from MMRI and the American Heart Association as well as the public.

Kontaridis is researching whether there is a connection between congenital heart defects and autism. She also serves as the vice chair of the American Heart Association’s Basic Cardiovascular Sciences Council Leadership Committee. Kontaridis received the Transformational Project Award for $73,432 for her collaborative research project that researches the impact of damaged proteins on the structure and electrical signaling of the heart.

Luana Nunes Santos received a diversity supplement award of $133,480 for two years to work with Kontaridis on the autism and congenital heart-defects project. The grant, which has concluded, promotes diversity and inclusion in the sciences.

Khanh Ha, along with Hamilton College associate chemistry professor Max Majireck, has a grant for a project that aims to identify a new type of drug-delivery system that targets the plaques found in atherosclerosis.

Nathan Tucker was awarded a $200,000 Innovative Project Award for two years that allows him and his team to focus on the strong impact genetics have on the risk of severe cardiovascular disease.

Survivor Ryan Leogrande, who served as a Red Cap Ambassador to America’s Greatest Heart Run & Walk in 2022, talked about research and what it means to people living with heart disease.

“After watching myself flatline, I made a number of life changes, including better diet and more exercise,” he said. “Like the great projects the American Heart Association is funding at Masonic Medical Research Institute, those changes are part of the research of the American Heart Association. My three sons, my wife and I support the American Heart Association so that other dads can be around to watch their children grow up.”

“Since 1949, the American Heart Association has invested more than $5.7 billion in research,” said Amy DeMetri, executive VP of First Source Federal Credit Union and member of the board of directors of the American Heart Association in the Mohawk Valley. “We are currently funding 1,700 projects for a total of $479 million worldwide. We are very proud to be funding $499,000 right here at MMRI. It’s exciting that so much of the money we raise remains right here in the Mohawk Valley, stays in the Mohawk Valley. I know the work done here will have a positive impact on many lives in many places, starting right here.”

MMRI conducts research on the causes of cardiovascular, neurocognitive, and autoimmune diseases to identify treatments and cures.