The Lundquist Institute

03/06/2026

Scoops, smiles, and a well-deserved break.🍦

We recently hosted a TLI Employee Appreciation Ice Cream Social to celebrate the incredible people who power our mission every day. It was a chance to step away from the busy day, connect with colleagues, and enjoy something sweet together.

Thank you to our amazing team for all that you do!

03/03/2026

Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) remains one of the deadliest cancers, in part because tumors create a hostile environment that keeps the immune system from doing its job. But researchers have identified a promising immunotherapy strategy that could change that — activating a key immune molecule called GITR, strengthening the body’s own cancer-fighting cells.

“Discoveries like the GITR pathway give me real hope. We’ve seen how powerful the immune system can be in other cancers — sometimes even clearing the disease entirely. Our goal is to help unlock that same potential for patients with pancreatic cancer,” said TLI Investigator Dr. Delphine Lee.

Read the full article below to learn about this breakthrough in immunotherapy.

Delphine J. Lee, MD, investigator at The Lundquist Institute for Biomedical Innovation, and a team of researchers identified a new immunotherapy strategy that may help overcome one of the greatest challenges in treating pancreatic cancer: the tumor’s ability to suppress the body’s immune respon...

02/24/2026

We honor the life and legacy of Dr. Harriet S. Kaplan, a pioneering psychiatrist, cherished mentor, and former TLI investigator whose career helped shape compassionate, integrated patient care.

Throughout decades of service, Dr. Kaplan was more than a physician; she was a trailblazer, advocate, and leader whose wisdom and humanity touched colleagues, trainees, and patients alike. Her commitment to healing, teaching, and building community leaves an enduring mark on the generations she inspired.

We invite you to join us in remembering and celebrating her extraordinary life and lasting impact. Read the full tribute below.

Dr. Harriet Smith Kaplan, a pioneering psychiatrist, devoted physician, beloved mentor, and former TLI investigator, passed away peacefully on January 3, 2026.

02/19/2026

Meet TLI investigator George A. Karpouzas, MD, whose latest research reveals a new method of identifying effective treatment options for patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA)—a long-term autoimmune disease in which the body’s immune system mistakenly attacks the joints.

RA patients commonly use TNF-alpha inhibitors (TNFi), biologic drugs that reduce inflammation, only to learn the therapy may not work for them. A blood-based Molecular Signature Response Classifier (MSRC) test that utilizes expression of immune-related gene transcription signatures was developed and validated to predict whether a patient is likely to respond to treatment with a TNFi before it even begins.

Dr. Karpouzas and his team evaluated the performance and utility of the MSCR in hispanic patients with rheumatoid arthritis. They assessed performance characteristics of the test in this population, its adoption, and its ability to alter disease outcomes.🔬

“Specifically, we asked whether the MSRC test results alter physician prescription patterns and whether therapy informed by MSRC results improves physician and patient self-reported metrics of disease activity, physical function, and quality of life,” said Dr. Karpouzas.

Read more: http://bit.ly/4rYnG8u

02/13/2026

TLI Investigator Matthew Budoff, MD is interviewed by the The New York Times on the growing scientific interest around garlic supplements and their potential role in supporting heart health.🧄❤️

A nationally recognized leader in cardiovascular imaging and prevention, Dr. Budoff shared expert insight on how compounds found in garlic may influence cholesterol levels and arterial health. “I like to describe them as complementary to standard medical care,” said Dr. Budoff.

Through his research, Dr. Budoff and his team at The Lundquist Institute continues to help translate complex science into practical insights that empower patients, clinicians, and communities to make informed decisions about preventive heart care.

Learn more about the study: sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0022316623005254

Some claim to support healthy blood pressure and cholesterol levels. We asked experts if that’s true.

02/04/2026

The Lundquist Institute is proud to announce that TLI Investigator Denise Al Alam, PhD has been named a Fellow of the American Thoracic Society (ATS), a prestigious honor that recognizes sustained excellence, leadership, and meaningful contributions to pulmonary, critical care, and sleep medicine.

This distinction reflects not only Dr. Al Alam's impactful research, but also a deep commitment to advancing respiratory health through collaboration, mentorship, and service to the scientific community.

We are proud to see her work recognized in helping shape the future of patient care and translational research.

01/30/2026

Congratulations to TLI Postdoc Researcher Lewis Simon, PhD on receiving the NIH-funded KUH-ART Postdoctoral Research Fellowship Award!

Dr. Simon’s research will examine population health approaches to chronic kidney disease (CKD) across the LA County Municipal Health System. By leveraging robust data from its local healthcare facilities, his work aims to improve understanding of CKD and inform population health strategies to advance equitable, high-impact kidney care.

“It’s an honor to receive this NIH-funded award, and I’m excited to conduct this research at TLI ,” said Dr. Simon. “As someone born and raised in LA County with close personal ties to kidney disease, this work is especially meaningful to me.”

01/28/2026

We were thrilled to host the Amgen Golden Ticket Award event earlier this week at The Lundquist Institute, celebrating innovation, early-stage biotech, and the incredible momentum happening right here in Los Angeles! 🚀

This gathering brought together leaders, entrepreneurs, and collaborators from across our ecosystem — including representatives from Amgen, BioLabs at The Lundquist Institute, USC Alfred E. Mann Institute, Keck Graduate Institute, City of Hope, Biocom, SoCalBio, and more — all united by a shared mission to accelerate scientific breakthroughs and deliver better health solutions for patients.

We’re deeply grateful for our ongoing partnerships with Amgen and BioLabs at The Lundquist Institute. Together, we’re building an environment where science thrives, startups grow, and innovations that can transform patient lives move forward with purpose and support.

Here’s to continued collaboration across the Los Angeles life sciences ecosystem!

01/27/2026

New research has identified albumin — the most abundant protein in human blood — as a powerful natural defense against mucormycosis, a rare but often deadly fungal infection. 🧫

“This is a remarkable finding and has the potential to change the way clinicians care for mucormycosis,” said TLI Investigator Ashraf Ibrahim, PhD, senior author of the study published in Nature Medicine.

The discovery opens promising pathways for albumin-based therapies and targeted immunotherapies, offering hope for patients facing this often-fatal disease. Read the full story below.

A new international study published in Nature has identified albumin, the most abundant protein in human blood, as a powerful and previously unrecognized defense against mucormycosis, a rare but often fatal fungal infection.

01/23/2026

We're celebrating the incredible people behind TLI through "The Lundquist Institute Voices." 💬 Through rapid fire questions, our team members share their unique stories, perspectives, and passions. Get ready to meet the voices that make TLI a special and innovative place 🚀

Meet Oghenetega Imiruaye, Postdoctoral Research Fellow in the Al Alam-Danopoulos Lab at TLI. His work focuses on investigating the role of the enteric nervous system (ENS) in the pathology of trisomy 21, with a particular emphasis on understanding how ENS dysfunction contributes to gastrointestinal and systemic disease phenotypes.

Oghenetega also develops and refines experimental model systems to study ENS development and neuroepithelial interactions—with the goal of elucidating mechanisms underlying ENS developmental defects and identifying potential therapeutic targets.