Dr. Nicole Purcell joined Huntington Medical Research Institutes in 2021 to pursue two passions: her research on intracellular signaling pathways involved in cardiovascular disease and training and nurturing the next generation of scientists and doctors. In addition to her role as Associate Professor of Cardiovascular Signaling, Dr. Purcell serves as scientific director of HMRI’s Postdoctoral, Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship (SURF), the inaugural STEM Program for Pasadena rising juniors and seniors, the biomedical research internship, and the American Heart Association Supporting Undergraduate Research Experience (AHA SURE). She has a unique ability and passion for mentoring individuals who wish to pursue careers in various scientific and medical fields.
Before joining HMRI, Dr. Purcell spent almost 14 years at the University of California at San Diego as faculty in the Department of Pharmacology. Her contributions to science include the regulation of signal transduction pathways in the heart, investigating the role of MAP kinases and related enzymes in cardiac diseases, and therapeutically targeting newly discovered phosphatase (PHLPP) that impacts the physiology and pathophysiology of the heart and brain. Dr. Purcell has been a member and distinguished leader of the North American Section of the International Society for Heart Research (NAS-ISHR) for over 15 years. Currently, she serves as Chair of the NAS-ISHR MCI Committee, as a member of the NAS-ISHR Leadership Committee, as Co-Chair of the International MCI Planning Committee for the World Conference in 2025, and as Treasurer of NAS-ISHR. Additionally, Dr. Purcell is actively involved in the American Heart Association. She serves on several committees for the AHA Basic Cardiovascular Science (AHA BCVS) Council and is the social media editor for Circulation Research.
Khaja Shameem Mohammed Abdul, PhD, is a postdoctoral fellow in the Cardiovascular Signaling Laboratory at HMRI. Dr. Mohammed Abdul received his PhD from the University of Ruhuna, Sri Lanka, in 2017, where he worked on discovering viable noninvasive biomarkers for early detection of rare endemic chronic kidney disease of uncertain etiology (CKDu) in farming communities.
During his PhD work, he was awarded two distinguished scholarships, the Vice Chancellor’s Fellowship and the President’s Research Scholarship, from the University of Ruhuna and the Ministry of Higher Education (MOHE), Sri Lanka, respectively. During 2018-2020, as a post-doctoral fellow at Guangdong University of Technology, China, he investigated the molecular mechanisms of Isosteviol and its analog (JC105) in mediating cardioprotection against hypoxia-reoxygenation injury and myocardial injury models.
In 2021, Dr. Mohammed Abdul joined HMRI’s Postdoctoral Fellowship program. He investigates the role of protein phosphatases PHLPP1 and PHLPP2 in myocardial aging and injury, as well as the epigenetic alterations that regulate the transcription of genes involved in these processes. His long-term career goal is to become an independent career scientist in cardiovascular research. Apart from biomedical research, Dr. Mohammed Abdul enjoys playing cricket, nature photography, and horology.
George Retana is a research assistant in the Cardiovascular Signaling Laboratory, where he manages all aspects of the lab, oversees animal colonies, and mentors student interns. He was born and raised in South Los Angeles and earned his bachelor’s degree in microbiology from California State Polytechnic University, Pomona. His passion for science began in childhood, inspired by his favorite superhero, Spider-Man.
Among his favorite heroes are dogs, especially Australian cattle dogs, which he adores. Unfortunately, he is allergic to these wonderful animals, making it a challenge to be around them. His personal experience with allergies plays an important role in his future education and career goals. George plans to advance his studies by pursuing a master’s in clinical microbiology. He aspires to focus his studies on allergies to help others with similar challenges.
George enjoys hanging out with family and friends in his spare time. He usually watches baseball or soccer games at home or live—especially when his favorite teams, Arsenal, LA Galaxy, Angel City FC, and the LA Dodgers, are playing. After an exciting game, he indulges in one of his favorite treats—tacos. On his more peaceful days, he is passionate about creating art, hiking, and exploring new foods.
Richard Tirado is an alumnus of the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), Class of 2023, where he majored in Biology and minored in Anthropology. He is also an alumnus of Pasadena High School. Passionate about giving back to his community and supporting others in pursuing health careers, Richard serves as the Co-Chair of Blair High School’s Health Careers Academy.
He is preparing to apply to medical school next year and aspires to become a gastroenterologist. Soon to be a co-author on two peer-reviewed research manuscripts in public health and biomedical engineering, Richard also works as a content developer and social media manager for Dr. Emeran Mayer, MD, a renowned gastroenterologist, neuroscientist, and professor at UCLA.
Richard enjoys spending time with family and friends in his free time, eating sushi, playing billiards, and attending concerts.
Nicole H. Purcell, PhD
Associate Professor, Cardiovascular Research Cardiovascular Signaling Laboratory Scientific Director, Education Programs
Dr. Nicole Purcell joined Huntington Medical Research Institutes in 2021 to pursue two passions: her research on intracellular signaling pathways involved in cardiovascular disease and training and nurturing the next generation of scientists and doctors. In addition to her role as Associate Professor of Cardiovascular Signaling, Dr. Purcell serves as scientific director of HMRI’s Postdoctoral, Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship (SURF), the inaugural STEM Program for Pasadena rising juniors and seniors, the biomedical research internship, and the American Heart Association Supporting Undergraduate Research Experience (AHA SURE). She has a unique ability and passion for mentoring individuals who wish to pursue careers in various scientific and medical fields.
Before joining HMRI, Dr. Purcell spent almost 14 years at the University of California at San Diego as faculty in the Department of Pharmacology. Her contributions to science include the regulation of signal transduction pathways in the heart, investigating the role of MAP kinases and related enzymes in cardiac diseases, and therapeutically targeting newly discovered phosphatase (PHLPP) that impacts the physiology and pathophysiology of the heart and brain. Dr. Purcell has been a member and distinguished leader of the North American Section of the International Society for Heart Research (NAS-ISHR) for over 15 years. Currently, she serves as Chair of the NAS-ISHR MCI Committee, as a member of the NAS-ISHR Leadership Committee, as Co-Chair of the International MCI Planning Committee for the World Conference in 2025, and as Treasurer of NAS-ISHR. Additionally, Dr. Purcell is actively involved in the American Heart Association. She serves on several committees for the AHA Basic Cardiovascular Science (AHA BCVS) Council and is the social media editor for Circulation Research.
Khaja Shameem Mohammed Abdul, PhD
Postdoctoral Research Scholar Cardiovascular Signaling Laboratory
Khaja Shameem Mohammed Abdul, PhD, is a postdoctoral fellow in the Cardiovascular Signaling Laboratory at HMRI. Dr. Mohammed Abdul received his PhD from the University of Ruhuna, Sri Lanka, in 2017, where he worked on discovering viable noninvasive biomarkers for early detection of rare endemic chronic kidney disease of uncertain etiology (CKDu) in farming communities.
During his PhD work, he was awarded two distinguished scholarships, the Vice Chancellor’s Fellowship and the President’s Research Scholarship, from the University of Ruhuna and the Ministry of Higher Education (MOHE), Sri Lanka, respectively. During 2018-2020, as a post-doctoral fellow at Guangdong University of Technology, China, he investigated the molecular mechanisms of Isosteviol and its analog (JC105) in mediating cardioprotection against hypoxia-reoxygenation injury and myocardial injury models.
In 2021, Dr. Mohammed Abdul joined HMRI’s Postdoctoral Fellowship program. He investigates the role of protein phosphatases PHLPP1 and PHLPP2 in myocardial aging and injury, as well as the epigenetic alterations that regulate the transcription of genes involved in these processes. His long-term career goal is to become an independent career scientist in cardiovascular research. Apart from biomedical research, Dr. Mohammed Abdul enjoys playing cricket, nature photography, and horology.
George Retana
Research Technician Cardiovascular Signaling Laboratory
George Retana is a research assistant in the Cardiovascular Signaling Laboratory, where he manages all aspects of the lab, oversees animal colonies, and mentors student interns. He was born and raised in South Los Angeles and earned his bachelor’s degree in microbiology from California State Polytechnic University, Pomona. His passion for science began in childhood, inspired by his favorite superhero, Spider-Man.
Among his favorite heroes are dogs, especially Australian cattle dogs, which he adores. Unfortunately, he is allergic to these wonderful animals, making it a challenge to be around them. His personal experience with allergies plays an important role in his future education and career goals. George plans to advance his studies by pursuing a master’s in clinical microbiology. He aspires to focus his studies on allergies to help others with similar challenges.
George enjoys hanging out with family and friends in his spare time. He usually watches baseball or soccer games at home or live—especially when his favorite teams, Arsenal, LA Galaxy, Angel City FC, and the LA Dodgers, are playing. After an exciting game, he indulges in one of his favorite treats—tacos. On his more peaceful days, he is passionate about creating art, hiking, and exploring new foods.
Richard Tirado
Education Assistant HMRI Education Programs
Richard Tirado is an alumnus of the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), Class of 2023, where he majored in Biology and minored in Anthropology. He is also an alumnus of Pasadena High School. Passionate about giving back to his community and supporting others in pursuing health careers, Richard serves as the Co-Chair of Blair High School’s Health Careers Academy.
He is preparing to apply to medical school next year and aspires to become a gastroenterologist. Soon to be a co-author on two peer-reviewed research manuscripts in public health and biomedical engineering, Richard also works as a content developer and social media manager for Dr. Emeran Mayer, MD, a renowned gastroenterologist, neuroscientist, and professor at UCLA.
Richard enjoys spending time with family and friends in his free time, eating sushi, playing billiards, and attending concerts.
