The Lundquist Institute

The official account of The Lundquist Institute for Biomedical Innovation at Harbor-UCLA Medical Center.

[The Lundquist Institute @the_lundquist]

We're proud to share that The Lundquist Institute has been recognized in the inaugural 2026 @cure345 Innovation Index as one of the nation’s leading biomedical research institutions transforming scientific discovery into real-world health impact.

Amongst 60 U.S. institutes and centers, the Index also recognized our institution within the Clinical Translators archetype and named us a "Leader in Entrepreneurial Readiness"—highlighting our strength in advancing research, fostering innovation, and accelerating translation from bench to bedside.

“This recognition reflects the extraordinary work of our investigators, clinicians, research teams, and partners who are dedicated to turning discovery into better health outcomes,” said TLI President and CEO @joewramos. “At The Lundquist Institute, innovation is not just about ideas. It’s about delivering meaningful impact for patients, families, and communities.”

From groundbreaking science to clinical advancement, TLI remains committed to shaping the future of medicine through collaboration, innovation, and purpose-driven research.

Read more about the #CureInnovationIndex26: https://t.co/YpjxkJ1Jfi

#BiomedicalResearch #Innovation #HealthcareInnovation #LifeSciences #MedicalResearch #CaliforniaInnovation #ResearchLeadership #FutureOfMedicine #ResearchImpact

[The Lundquist Institute @the_lundquist]

HIV research has transformed lives over the past four decades, but the work is far from over.

In this special Q&A, Dr. Eric S. Daar shares insights from decades of experience in HIV research and patient care. His work has primarily focused on defining the pathogenesis of acute HIV infection as well as designing clinical trials to optimize treatment and overcome obstacles to maintaining control of HIV in clinical practice.

Watch, share, and join us in creating a more informed and compassionate future.

To learn more about Dr. Daar and his research, visit: https://t.co/cttA4N9iID.

#HIVAwareness #HIVResearch #PublicHealth #HealthEquity #InfectiousDiseases #MedicalResearch #BiomedicalResearch #TheLundquistInstitute

[The Lundquist Institute @the_lundquist]

Discover how TLI’s groundbreaking scientific research translates into better health for all. The Anna Binkley and Charles Mitchell Science and Your Health Lecture Series highlight the latest medical discoveries, wellness insights, and innovations from Lundquist researchers, bringing our science to your everyday life.

Join us in-person or online on Thursday, September 17 as President and CEO @joewramos reflects on thirty years in cancer research, the path that brought him here, and where he plans to take the Institute next.

Whether you’re a patient, caregiver, healthcare professional, or simply curious about the groundbreaking research happening at The Lundquist Institute, this talk offers a valuable opportunity to learn from an expert in the field.

To learn more and register, visit: https://t.co/nwixXuXXv7

#LAEvents #ThingsToDo #LosAngelesEvents #MedicalResearch #HealthEvents #TLI #PublicHealth #CommunityHealth

[The Lundquist Institute @the_lundquist]

What does successful kidney care look like beyond extending life? 🩺

A new study examined a national cohort of U.S. Veterans with advanced kidney disease and found that those who transitioned to dialysis had a 64% higher rate of hospitalization, raising important questions about how treatment decisions can account for both clinical outcomes and quality of life.

The @MayoClinic Proceedings study, senior-authored by Investigator @kamkalantar, does not suggest that dialysis is the wrong choice or that it directly causes increased hospital use.

Instead, the findings underscore the importance of a more individualized approach to kidney care — one that considers the full impact of treatment on a patient's life.

Read the full story: https://t.co/jM3OuBkKpy

#KidneyHealth #ChronicKidneyDisease #VeteransHealth #MedicalResearch #TheLundquistInstitute

[The Lundquist Institute @the_lundquist]

Every month, Max Z. wakes up at 4am, travels from Texas to California, undergoes hours of testing and treatment, then flies home the same day.

It’s an extraordinary routine, but for Max, it represents something powerful: hope.✨

Living with a rare tumor condition with few promising treatment options, Max has spent years searching for answers. That search eventually led him to The Lundquist Institute Investigator @DrKesari and to a partnership built on persistence, trust and a shared willingness to leave no stone unturned.

His story is a reminder of what can happen when research meets determination, and when physician-scientists have the freedom to pursue possibilities beyond standard care.

Read Max’s remarkable story: https://t.co/6EaJZVl9VR

#ClinicalResearch #BiomedicalResearch #PatientStories #RareDiseaseResearch #DonorImpact #Innovation

[Biocom @Biocom]

Southern California life science startups: Applications are open for the 2026 @Amgen-@biolabs LA Golden Ticket Award. The winner will receive one year of free lab space at BioLabs LA at @the_lundquist, plus access to shared resources and mentors.

Apply by August 17: https://t.co/mdlYL5pmm5

[The Lundquist Institute @the_lundquist]

@Swidergall_lab Woohoo! Go Dr. Sekar!

[The Lundquist Institute @the_lundquist]

Research shows that exercise is one of the most effective tools for preventing and treating chronic disease, yet most physicians receive only limited formal training on how to prescribe it.

Through one of the nation's first Exercise Medicine Fellowship programs, The Lundquist Institute is helping prepare physicians to prescribe exercise with the same scientific rigor as other evidence-based treatments.

Meet Julia Lu, MD, MS, the inaugural fellow in our Exercise Medicine Fellowship Program. Dr. Lu is part of a new generation of physician-scientists redefining the role of exercise in healthcare.

Read more: https://t.co/ibjQ2n3Uap

#ExerciseMedicine #MedicalEducation #HealthcareInnovation #ExerciseScience #PreventiveMedicine #ChronicDisease

[The Lundquist Institute @the_lundquist]

Leading scientific evidence was recently showcased in the June 2026 special issue of @ExpPhysiol dedicated to Exercise as Medicine, which explores how exercise influences health across a broad range of conditions while highlighting emerging opportunities for research and patient care.

"Exercise Medicine is no longer a concept of the future. It is becoming an evidence-based discipline that will change how we prevent and treat disease," says Investigator @harrybrossiter, who co-edited the special issue.

In Part 3 of our Exercise Medicine series, learn how researchers at The Lundquist Institute are helping define this emerging medical discipline: https://t.co/k6kmadw8ZP

#ExerciseMedicine #PrecisionMedicine #ExerciseScience #TranslationalResearch #BiomedicalResearch #HealthcareInnovation #PreventiveMedicine #ChronicDisease #MedicalResearch #Exercise

[Harry Rossiter @harrybrossiter]

@the_lundquist Exercise Medicine: Training the Physicians Who Will Prescribe It. 🩺🏃🚴‍♂️🏋️‍♀️

Part 2 of our three-part series exploring how The Lundquist Institute is helping shape the emerging field of Exercise Medicine. https://t.co/uibe7WooAI

[The Lundquist Institute @the_lundquist]

Read the full article and learn more about The Lundquist Institute Investigator Dr. Karpouzas’ latest research efforts: https://t.co/l49yKr0MOG.

#RheumatoidArthritis #HeartHealth #CardiovascularHealth #MedicalResearch #BiomedicalResearch #HealthcareInnovation #ResearchMatters

[The Lundquist Institute @the_lundquist]

Curiosity, collaboration, and creativity were on full display at last week's STAR High School Program team-building social! 🧬💡

Our STAR students kicked off the afternoon by sharing updates from their summer research experiences, reflecting on the projects they've been working on, the challenges they've overcome, and the lessons they've learned alongside their mentors.

They then put their innovation skills to the test in a fast-paced, five-minute pitch challenge, where each team identified a real-world problem, explored who it impacts, proposed a potential solution, and explained what made their idea innovative. The activity challenged students to think like both researchers and entrepreneurs while practicing how to communicate complex scientific ideas with clarity, confidence, and purpose.

The afternoon wrapped up with cake, pastries, and plenty of conversation as fellows connected with peers from across the program, building relationships that will last well beyond the summer.

#STARProgram #STEMEducation #BiomedicalResearch #FutureScientists #ScienceEducation #Innovation #Teamwork #TheLundquistInstitute

[The Lundquist Institute @the_lundquist]

A remarkable distinction for one of our scientific leaders!

Congratulations to The Lundquist Institute's Jerry I. Rotter, MD for being recognized by https://t.co/UdNf4gjpgu as one of the world’s leading geneticists, earning designation as a 2026 Leader in Genetics and ranking No. 18 in the United States and No. 26 worldwide.

As Executive Data Science Officer and Director of The Lundquist Institute's Center for Translational Genomics, Dr. Rotter is helping shape the future of biomedical research by advancing the integration of data science, artificial intelligence, and genomic discovery.

Learn more about Dr. Rotter's recognition honoring his decades of contributions to genetics, genomics, and precision medicine: https://t.co/oJurjPCMMM

#TheLundquistInstitute #PrecisionMedicine #Genomics #DataScience #BiomedicalResearch #ScientificLeadership #InnovationInHealth

[The Lundquist Institute @the_lundquist]

What if exercise were treated with the same precision as any other medical therapy? 🩺

At The Lundquist Institute, we're helping shape the future of exercise medicine, an emerging field of diagnostics and therapeutics recognizing physical activity and exercise prescription as a powerful therapeutic intervention supported by decades of scientific evidence.

Our latest feature explores how researchers across our institution are driving this field forward through collaborative, translational research—and why exercise medicine is poised to play an increasingly important role in the future of patient care.

Read the full story: https://t.co/Fa89VJ04nQ

#ExerciseMedicine #BiomedicalResearch #TranslationalResearch #PreventiveHealth #Innovation #HealthResearch #TheLundquistInstitute #Exercise #Health #PreventativeHealth

[The Lundquist Institute @the_lundquist]

Collaboration drives innovation and meaningful partnerships help advance scientific discovery. 🔬🧬

The Lundquist Institute is honored to welcome representatives from the @gatesfoundation to our campus for a visit highlighting the breadth of research taking place across our institution.

The visit provided an opportunity to showcase ongoing scientific initiatives, share how our investigators are addressing complex health challenges, and engage in thoughtful discussions about the role of collaboration in improving health outcomes around the world.

We are grateful for the opportunity to share our work and explore how collaborative efforts can help shape the future of biomedical research. Read more: https://t.co/RD0UKzFkAZ

#TheLundquistInstitute #BiomedicalResearch #ScientificInnovation #GlobalHealth #Research #Collaboration #HealthInnovation

[The Lundquist Institute @the_lundquist]

Researchers are redefining how we understand lung health.

A recent National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI) Workshop Report, with TLI’s Dr. Jendzjowsky as co-organizer and lead author, highlights how the lungs sense and respond to their environment, and why these neural pathways may hold the key to advancing lung sensory research.

By bringing together experts across pulmonary medicine, neuroscience, and immunology, this work establishes new research priorities that could shape the future of respiratory health. Read more: https://t.co/eQggTpZorz

@NIH #LungResearch #RespiratoryHealth #BiomedicalResearch #Neuroscience #Immunology #PulmonaryMedicine #ResearchInnovation

[The Lundquist Institute @the_lundquist]

The journey begins for our 2026 Summer Training in Advanced Research (STAR) High School Program students! ⭐

Last week, we officially welcomed this year's cohort of aspiring scientists and future healthcare leaders to TLI for the start of an exciting eight-week research journey.

Orientation day offered the students the opportunity to meet one another, hear from Program Director Dr. Mina Desai, and begin building the connections that will shape their summer experience. They also heard inspiring remarks from TLI Investigator Dr. Christian de Virgilio, one of the program's earliest alumni who has since become a physician-scientist, educator, and mentor to the next generation.

We're excited to see where this summer takes them!🔬

To learn more about the TLI STAR High School Program, visit https://t.co/CVeOh0uCf2.

#SummerProgram #STEM #FutureScientists #BiomedicalResearch #ResearchEducation #HighSchoolResearch #Mentorship #ScienceEducation

[The Lundquist Institute @the_lundquist]

Innovation begins with a bold idea, but it takes believers to bring it to life. 🔬

At The Lundquist Institute, scientists like Ashraf Ibrahim, PhD are turning ideas into discoveries. In this video, @IbrahimLab3 shares what innovation means to him and how TLI is fueling innovation and entrepreneurship.

Behind every discovery is a community of supporters who believe in the work that we do. Right now through June 30, for every dollar you give, TLI’s Board of Directors will give a dollar to the Institute’s Greatest Needs until $70,000 in matching funds are exhausted.

Make your gift today and help shorten the distance between discovery and cure. Visit https://t.co/RX60QwvFA5.

#BiomedicalResearch #Innovation #Philanthropy #MedicalResearch #TranslationalResearch #HealthcareInnovation #ScienceForGood

[The Lundquist Institute @the_lundquist]

A major step forward for scientific innovation, collaboration, and training!🔬

On May 26, the TLI community celebrated the launch of SPRINT CIRM SRL Core at TLI—a transformative new resource that will expand access to advanced stem cell technologies, strengthen research collaborations, and create new opportunities for students, trainees, and investigators across Southern California.

Made possible through a $5.4 million award from @CIRMnews, this reflects a shared commitment to advancing discovery, expanding access to cutting-edge research tools, and developing the next generation of scientists. This milestone would not have been possible without the vision of our investigators and the support of our partners, collaborators, and community.

Read TLI President and CEO @joewramos's post: https://t.co/HCp1Gz4OOH

#CIRM #StemCellResearch #BiomedicalResearch #RegenerativeMedicine #ScientificInnovation #StemCell

[The Lundquist Institute @the_lundquist]

People with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) face a heightened risk of heart disease due to chronic inflammation that extends beyond the joints.

A new study published in Rheumatology found that inflammation surrounding the heart’s major arteries may reveal cardiovascular risk not captured by traditional assessments. TLI Investigator and lead author on the study George A. Karpouzas, MD says the findings could pave the way for earlier detection and intervention.

"For many patients with rheumatoid arthritis, cardiovascular disease develops silently for years and the risk of silent events or sudden cardiac death as a first manifestation of atherosclerosis is significantly more common than in patients without this disease” said Dr. Karpouzas. “Our goal is to identify those at highest risk earlier so that preventive measures can be timely implemented."

Read more: https://t.co/66Yt1O2y0X

#MedicalInnovation #inflammation #rheumatoidarthritis