Huntington Medical Research Institutes

10/14/2026

Nearly 100 healthcare leaders, researchers, entrepreneurs, and innovators gathered at Huntington Medical Research Institutes for a standing-room-only conversation about the future of healthcare and artificial intelligence.

As part of LA Tech Week by a16z, our panel, The Healthcare Executive AI Agenda: What Leaders Are Doing Now, explored how healthcare organizations are putting AI to work today—from improving patient care and clinical workflows to advancing research and shaping institutional strategy.

The discussion underscored Pasadena's growing leadership in health innovation, bringing together world-class research, healthcare expertise, and an entrepreneurial community committed to improving human health.

Our thanks to panelists Rachel Coren (Huntington Health / Cedars-Sinai), Dr. Aman Mahajan (University of Southern California), and Dr. Ed Mena ( California Liver Research Center), and moderator Paul Roach (HMRI).

Special thanks to Innovate Pasadena and the City of Pasadena - Public Agency for their partnership.

Watch the full panel discussion: https://youtu.be/Ple--oMfCTg

Recorded October 13, 2026, at Huntington Medical Research Institute...

09/08/2026

For the first time, HMRI is joining LA Tech Week! The Healthcare Executive AI Agenda: What Leaders Are Doing Now

AI is moving rapidly from experimentation to implementation. Leaders must decide where to move quickly, where to exercise caution, and how to prepare their organizations for change.

Senior leaders will discuss how they are approaching those decisions in practice—including strategy, governance, workforce implications, risk, and the challenge of leading an institution through the AI transition.

This won’t be speculation about what AI might someday do. It will be a candid look at what leaders are doing now.

Join us Tuesday, October 13, from noon to 1:15 p.m. at Huntington Medical Research Institutes in Pasadena.

Learn more and register: https://partiful.com/e/QuX3NoMSd3irmoaBuQRd

This event is part of , presented by Innovate Pasadena and sponsored by the City of Pasadena - Public Agency Economic Development Division and the Pasadena Small Business Development Center . It is also part of .

Engemann Family Auditorium at Huntington Medical Research Institutes. 686 S. Fair Oaks Avenue, Pasadena, CA 91105 AI is moving rapidly from experimentation to implementation, forcing leaders to make consequential decisions about where to move quickly, where to exercise caution, and how to prepare th...

08/03/2026

Join us this Wednesday for HMRI' next Scientific Lecture: CARF (CDKN2AIP) Against Metabolic Dsysfunction: From Insulin Resistance to Fatty Liver

We're pleased to welcome Kamrul Hasan PhD, Assistant Professor in the Department of Internal Medicine at Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science.

Fatty liver disease affects millions of people and is closely linked to diabetes and other metabolic disorders. Dr. Hasan will discuss the molecular mechanisms driving insulin resistance and fatty liver disease, and how his research on CARF (CDKN2AIP) is advancing our understanding of metabolic dysfunction and identifying potential new therapeutic targets.

📅 Wednesday, August 5
🕒 3:00–4:00 PM PT
📍 In person & via Zoom
Register: https://bit.ly/4xcOcgQ

Whether you're a researcher, clinician, student, or simply interested in the latest advances in biomedical science, we invite you to join us for this engaging seminar.

07/21/2026

Science Day is tomorrow! Register now to reserve your spot.

📢 Registration is now open for HMRI Science Day 2026!

📅 Wednesday, July 22, 2026
🔗 Register: https://bit.ly/4fbRtXw

Join us at HMRI for a day celebrating scientific discovery, student achievement, and meaningful conversations about the future of medicine.

This year's event features:
🔬 Student Research Poster Session
10:00 AM–2:00 PM
Meet our talented summer student researchers as they present the projects they've been working on alongside HMRI scientists throughout the summer.

🎓 Panel Discussion: The Future of Medical Education in the U.S.
12:00 PM–1:00 PM
Hear from medical education leaders as they discuss the evolving landscape of physician training, current challenges, and what's ahead for the next generation of healthcare professionals.

Whether you're a student, educator, researcher, healthcare professional, or community member, Science Day offers an opportunity to connect, learn, and celebrate the future of biomedical research.

We look forward to seeing you!

07/20/2026

Don't miss Science Day at HMRI this week on July 22 from 10AM - 2PM!

🗓️ Wednesday, July 22
🕛 10:00am - 2:00pm
🔗 Register: bit.ly/4vRwGOT

Our summer undergraduate research fellows have spent the past several weeks working alongside faculty mentors, building research skills, and contributing to innovative scientific projects. Now they're ready to share what they've discovered through poster presentations highlighting their work.

We're also looking forward to the panel discussion on "The Future of Medical Education in the United States," where we will have an outstanding group of experts to discuss the evolving landscape of medical training and how we prepare the next generation of physicians.

Panelists
✨ Dr. Edward Mena (Moderator)
✨ Dr. Jonathan Finkelstein
✨ Dr. Lisa Warren
✨ Dr. Patrick Chang
✨ Dr. Vassilios Papadopoulos

Whether you're a student, educator, healthcare professional, researcher, or community member, we hope you'll join us for an afternoon of scientific discovery, conversation, and inspiration.

Space is limited—register today to reserve your spot!

07/17/2026

Our summer students at HMRI have spent the past several weeks immersed in discovery: training with faculty mentors, developing research skills, and working on innovative scientific projects. Now, they're ready to share what they've accomplished.

We invite you to join us for Science Day on July 22, a celebration of student research and scientific discovery.

🗓️ Wednesday, July 22
🕛 12:00–1:00 PM
🔗 Register here: https://bit.ly/4fbj1uT

Explore poster presentations from our talented summer students, hear firsthand about their research experiences, and engage with the next generation of scientists and healthcare professionals.

In addition to the student poster session, Science Day will feature a special panel discussion on the future of medical education in the United States. Faculty leaders and experts will explore the evolving landscape of medical training, emerging challenges, and opportunities to prepare tomorrow's physicians for a rapidly changing healthcare environment.

Whether you're a community member, educator, healthcare professional, student, or simply curious about the exciting research happening at our institution, we invite you to join us for an afternoon of discovery, conversation, and inspiration.

We look forward to welcoming you as we celebrate the achievements of our summer students and explore what's next for the future of medicine!

07/16/2026

🎤 Speaker Spotlight: Edward Mena

We're honored to welcome Dr. Edward Mena, Medical Director of the Pasadena Liver Center and President & CEO of the California Liver Research Center, as the panel moderator for "The Future of Medical Education in the United States" at HMRI.

🗓️ Wednesday, July 22
🕛 12:00–1:00 PM
🔗 Register here: https://bit.ly/4fbj1uT

A nationally recognized hepatologist and healthcare leader, Dr. Mena has dedicated his career to advancing the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of liver disease. As Medical Director of the Pasadena Liver Center, he has provided specialized care to patients with complex liver conditions for more than two decades, helping establish the center as a regional leader in hepatology and liver cancer care.

Dr. Mena has collaborated with leading institutions, including Cedars-Sinai Medical Center and Keck Medicine of USC, to expand access to advanced outpatient care for patients with liver cancer and those requiring liver transplantation. His clinical and research interests include nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), chronic viral hepatitis, cirrhosis, and primary liver cancer, with a strong commitment to improving outcomes through early detection and innovative treatment.

Beyond his clinical work, Dr. Mena is passionate about community outreach and health equity. Through educational initiatives in Latino, Armenian, and Egyptian communities, he has worked to increase awareness of hepatitis B and C, cirrhosis, and liver disease prevention, helping bridge gaps in care for underserved populations.

Join us at Science Day as Dr. Mena guides an engaging discussion on the future of medical education, bringing together distinguished leaders to explore how innovation, collaboration, and research are shaping the next generation of healthcare.

07/15/2026

🎤 Panelist Spotlight: Patrick Chang

We're honored to welcome Patrick Chang, MD, gastroenterologist at Unio Specialty Care, as a panelist for "The Future of Medical Education in the United States" at HMRI's annual Science Day.

🗓️ Wednesday, July 22
🕛 12:00–1:00 PM
🔗 Register here: https://bit.ly/4fbj1uT

A board-certified gastroenterologist and advanced endoscopist, Dr. Chang specializes in the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of gastrointestinal and colorectal cancers, with additional expertise in pancreaticobiliary diseases. His work combines cutting-edge endoscopic care, clinical research, and a deep commitment to improving patient outcomes through innovation and quality improvement.

A graduate of UCLA and Tulane University School of Medicine where he was a DeBakey Research Scholar, Dr. Chang completed his Internal Medicine residency, Gastroenterology fellowship, and Advanced Endoscopy fellowship at the Keck School of Medicine of USC. During his training, he served as Chief Fellow of Outpatient Endoscopy and authored more than 20 peer-reviewed publications and 70 scientific abstracts spanning endoscopy quality improvement, colorectal cancer screening, patient safety, and the emerging role of artificial intelligence and large language models in gastrointestinal care.

Previously a Clinical Instructor at both Los Angeles General Medical Center and Keck Medicine of USC, Dr. Chang has been recognized for his dedication to patient care and community service with the UCLA Chancellor’s Service Award and as USC’s Gastroenterology Physician of the Year. A San Marino native and Eagle Scout, he was first inspired to pursue medicine while working at HMRI as an undergraduate, making his return to the San Gabriel Valley especially meaningful.

Join us at Science Day as Dr. Chang shares his perspective on how innovation, technology, and advances in gastrointestinal medicine are helping shape the future of medical education and patient care.

07/14/2026

🎤 Panelist Spotlight: Jonathan Finkelstein

We're honored to welcome Jonathan Finkelstein MD, MPH, Senior Associate Dean for Research and Scholarship and Professor of Health Systems Science at the Kaiser Permanente Bernard J. Tyson School of Medicine, as a panelist for "The Future of Medical Education in the United States" at HMRI.

🗓️ Wednesday, July 22
🕛 12:00–1:00 PM
🔗 Register here: https://bit.ly/4fbj1uT

An internationally recognized physician-scientist, medical educator, and health services researcher, Dr. Finkelstein has dedicated more than two decades to advancing healthcare quality, patient safety, and population health. As Senior Associate Dean for Research and Scholarship at the Kaiser Permanente Bernard J. Tyson School of Medicine, he is leading efforts to build a vibrant culture of research and scholarship while preparing future physicians to improve health at both the individual and population levels.

Before joining Kaiser Permanente, Dr. Finkelstein served as Senior Vice President for Safety and Quality and Chief Patient Safety & Quality Officer at Boston Children’s Hospital. He was also a Professor of Pediatrics and Population Medicine at Harvard Medical School, where he spent many years mentoring the next generation of physician-scientists and co-directing the Harvard-wide Pediatric Health Services Research Fellowship, helping train more than 140 postdoctoral fellows.

Supported by funding from The National Institutes of Health (NIH), the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ), and other organizations, Dr. Finkelstein's research focuses on improving clinical care quality, patient safety, and population health outcomes. His work has shaped approaches to pediatric care, healthcare delivery, and medical education, earning him national recognition as both a researcher and mentor.

Join us at Science Day as Dr. Finkelstein shares his perspective on how research, quality improvement, and health systems science are transforming medical education and preparing tomorrow's healthcare leaders.

07/13/2026

🎤 Panelist Spotlight: Lisa Warren

We're honored to welcome Lisa Warren DO, MBA, Dean of Western University of Health Sciences College of Osteopathic Medicine of the Pacific (COMP) and Heatherington College of Osteopathic Medicine (WesternU HCOM), as a panelist for "The Future of Medical Education in the United States" at HMRI.

🗓️ Wednesday, July 22
🕛 12:00–1:00 PM
🔗 Register here: https://bit.ly/4feHAXU

A distinguished pediatrician, medical educator, and healthcare leader, Dr. Warren has dedicated her career to advancing osteopathic medical education and preparing the next generation of physicians. As Dean of WesternU’s Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine, she is committed to fostering innovation, student success, and excellence in healthcare training.

A proud alumna of WesternU’s College of Osteopathic Medicine of the Pacific, Dr. Warren has served the university in numerous leadership roles since joining the faculty in 2011. She has helped expand graduate medical education opportunities, strengthen residency development across multiple states, and enhance career and professional development programs for medical students. Under her leadership, COMP and COMP-Northwest consistently achieved residency placement rates averaging 5% above the national benchmark over seven years.

Dr. Warren also played a key role in transforming the colleges’ medical education curriculum, improving both student performance and the overall learner experience. Her leadership combines clinical expertise, academic excellence, and strategic vision, supported by a Health Care Executive MBA from the UC Irvine Paul Merage School of Business.

Join us at Science Day as Dean Warren shares her perspective on the future of medical education, the evolving role of osteopathic medicine, and how innovation, leadership, and student-centered training are preparing tomorrow’s healthcare professionals.

University of California, Irvine