Stepping Into 2026: January Update from HMRI
Stepping Into 2026: Advancing Discovery, Education, and Impact
As we begin 2026, Huntington Medical Research Institutes (HMRI) remains focused on what matters most: advancing discovery, training the next generation of scientists, and translating research into real-world impact.
We invite you to start the year with us by watching a special message from HMRI President and CEO Julia Bradsher, MBA, PhD, and Vice President of Development Paul Roach, reflecting on the year behind us and looking ahead to what’s next.
Grounded in purpose and curiosity, HMRI enters the new year with a shared commitment to scientific rigor, education, and collaboration.
HMRI Postdoctoral Fellow Serves as Judge at PUSD Innovation Exposition
HMRI Postdoctoral Fellow Dr. Khaja Shameem Mohammed Abdul recently served as a judge at the Pasadena Unified School District Innovation Exposition—an inclusive alternative to the traditional science fair designed to broaden access to STEM exploration.
The Expo invites students to pursue projects aligned with their interests, whether through experimentation, design, or storytelling. Students in grades K–3 participate in a non-competitive format, while grades 4–8 may choose to receive formal feedback or simply display their work. Collaborative projects are encouraged, and non-competitive entries allow parents and mentors to participate alongside students.
By serving as judges, STEM professionals provide something uniquely valuable: thoughtful feedback from an authentic scientific audience.
New First-Author Publication: Veronica Hubble, PhD
HMRI is pleased to share a new first-author publication by Veronica Hubble, PhD, former James G. Boswell Foundation Postdoctoral Fellow at HMRI.
During her fellowship, Dr. Hubble worked collaboratively between HMRI and the California Institute of Technology, as part of Prof. Brian M. Stoltz’s research group. Her work focused on designing and synthesizing novel steroidal compounds aimed at migraine prevention.
Guided by medicinal chemistry principles for central nervous system drug development, the research modified naturally occurring steroidal compounds to improve brain penetration by reducing hydrogen bond donors and increasing lipophilicity. The study also identified a key structural insight—the importance of a bulky C14 protecting group for achieving the molecular orientation needed for future drug design.
This interdisciplinary work bridges organic synthetic chemistry and neuroscience and contributes foundational knowledge that may inform future therapies for neurological disease.
Dr. Hubble completed her fellowship in July 2023 and is now a Senior Scientist I in the Medicinal Chemistry Department at AbbVie.
Read the full paper: Synthesis of bufalin and digitoxigenin derivatives
Dr. Nicole Purcell Invited to Present at University of Chicago
HMRI Associate Professor and Scientific Director of Education Programs Nicole Purcell, PhD, was invited to present as part of the Cardiovascular Research Seminar Series at the University of Chicago.
Her December 10, 2025 lecture explored the effects of nicotine on the adolescent heart and brain, drawing from her cardiovascular signaling research. The invitation reflects national recognition of her work and enabled in-depth discussion with leaders in cardiology and biomedical research.
Learn more about Dr. Purcell's research: Cardiovascular Signaling Laboratory
Dr. Abdala Elkhal Publishes Editorial on Precision Medicine in Rare Diseases
HMRI Assistant Professor Abdala Elkhal, PhD, recently served as a guest editor for Frontiers in Molecular Biosciences.
The editorial, “Molecular Mechanisms and Precision Medicine in Rare Diseases,” introduces a special Research Topic featuring six complementary studies demonstrating how advances in molecular diagnostics and disease-relevant models are improving diagnosis and treatment in rare diseases.
Learn more about Dr. Elkhal's research: Neuro-Cardio-Immunology Laboratory
2026 Summer Research and Teaching Opportunities
Applications are now open for HMRI’s 2026 Education Programs, offering hands-on experience in biomedical research and STEM education.
Undergraduate SURF + AHA-SURE Fellowships
Hands-on biomedical research with HMRI scientists
Deadline: March 6, 2026
Apply: 2026 Undergraduate Research Programs
High School STEM Program
Six-week summer research experience for rising juniors and seniors in Pasadena Unified
Deadline: March 13, 2026
Apply: 2026 Summer High School STEM Program
Paid Teaching Assistant Positions
Mentoring and instructional support roles
Deadline: March 27, 2026
Apply: 2026 Summer Teaching Assistant Position
If you advise students—or know someone considering a research-focused summer—now is the time to begin preparing application materials.
Recent Publications from HMRI Faculty and Collaborators
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Abboud I, Xu E, Xu S, Alhasany A, Wang Z, Wu X, Astraea N, Jiang F, Hu ZJ, Chan JW. Emerging oculomic signatures: linking thickness of entire retinal layers with plasma biomarkers in preclinical Alzheimer’s disease. J Clin Med. 2026;15(1):275. doi:10.3390/jcm15010275
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Kloner RA, Hale SL. Reperfusion injury: prevention and management. In: Morrow D, ed. Acute Coronary Syndromes. 2nd ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2026:253-263.
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Naghavi M, Wong ND, McConnell MV, Maron DJ, Nasir K, Henschke CI, Yankelevitz DF, Fayad ZA, Vliegenthart R, Williams KA Sr, Mehran R, Budoff M, Berman D, Rana JS, Shah PK, Kloner RA, Narula J, Greenland P, Fuster V. Coronary artery calcium (CAC) imaging as a diagnostic test: insurance coverage implications. JACC Cardiovasc Imaging. Published online December 11, 2025. doi:10.1016/j.jcmg.2025.10.020
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Hubble VB, Suarez CA, Navaratne PV, de la Torre Roehl IM, Fonteh AN, Harrington MG, Bartberger MD, Virgil SC, Stoltz BM. Synthesis of bufalin and digitoxigenin derivatives. Tetrahedron. 2026;193:135092. doi:10.1016/j.tet.2025.135092
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Rezkalla SH, Kloner RA. Stress and acute coronary syndrome. Cardiol Res. 2025;16(6):467-474. doi:10.14740/cr2123
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Rodriguez Cetina Biefer H, Elkhal A, Moutaoufik MT. Editorial: molecular mechanisms and precision medicine in rare diseases. Front Mol Biosci. 2026;13:1778169. doi:10.3389/fmolb.2026.1778169
What’s Next at HMRI: Upcoming Scientific Lectures
What the Heart Tells About the Brain
Xianghong Arakaki, MD, PhD
Wednesday, January 28 | 3–4 PM PST | Zoom & In-Person
Register
Proteomic Approaches to Reveal New Functions of Metamorphic Proteins
Tsui-Fen Chou, PhD
Research Professor, California Institute of Technology
February 4 | 3–4 PM PST | Zoom & In-Person
Registration forthcoming
Insights into Cortical Development and Down Syndrome
Luis de la Torre-Ubieta, PhD
Assistant Professor, University of California, Los Angeles
February 18 | 3–4 PM PST | Zoom & In-Person
Registration forthcoming