"Medicine and Health is a broad field investigating illnesses, diseases, and physical and mental well-being. MRIAS funds challenging medical and health research for the benefit of society."
Amanda Vozzola, MD, Co-Director
David E. Vozzola, PhD, Co-Director
Our Mission
Advances don't happen overnight. Discoveries can take decades. The Medical Research Institute for Advanced Study provides support along the way. We support medical and health research activities in several multidisciplinary and interdisciplinary fields.
Our scholarship programs include stipends for research fellowships, housing assistance for visiting scholars, travel assistance for conference presentations, equipment for research projects, and advanced learning opportunities to develop and enhance research skills.
Our Vision
We envision a world where medical and health researchers blend disciplines to benefit humanity. The Medical Research Institute for Advanced Study will help develop the next generation of researchers. Our researchers will create a better world by delivering medical and health breakthroughs that benefit society.
MRIAS research alums will represent a unique research community of diverse members representing several multidisciplinary and interdisciplinary fields in medicine and health. These alumni will encourage and celebrate student research that will impact future generations.
Medical and Health News
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Workplace Burnout Has Become a Public Health Emergency — Two-Thirds of American Workers Are Struggling, and the Health Costs Are Now Being Countedon June 10, 2026 at 3:20 pmA 2026 NAMI-Ipsos poll found 66% of U.S. workers report burnout. Healthcare workers: 76%. Gen Z: 74%. Chronic workplace stress contributes to an estimated 120,000 U.S. deaths per year. Here's what the evidence shows.
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Microplastics Are Accumulating in Human Brains at Alarming Levels — And the Link to Dementia and Heart Disease Is Growing Cleareron June 10, 2026 at 3:12 pm
A May 2026 study found microplastics in human brains at 7–30x levels vs. other organs, with a 50% rise since 2016. Dementia patients had the highest levels. Arterial plaque microplastics linked to 4x heart attack risk.
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Finerenone Kidney Drug Shown to Protect Heart and Kidneys in Millions More Patients After Three Major 2026 Studieson June 10, 2026 at 2:57 pm
Three major studies published in NEJM, JAMA, and The Lancet in June 2026 show finerenone protects kidneys and hearts in non-diabetic CKD patients, expanding its potential reach to millions.
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Medicare Is About to Cover Weight-Loss Drugs for the First Time — Here's What the GLP-1 Bridge Program Means for Millions of Americans with Obesityon June 10, 2026 at 2:43 pm
Medicare's GLP-1 Bridge launches July 1, 2026, offering eligible Part D enrollees Wegovy and Zepbound for $50/month — the first-ever Medicare coverage for obesity-specific GLP-1 drugs.
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Food Deserts Are Making Millions of Americans Sicker — And New Data Shows the Problem Is Getting Worseon June 10, 2026 at 2:23 pm
New 2026 USDA data confirms 12.8% of Americans live in food deserts. Research links low food access to higher rates of obesity, diabetes, heart disease, and premature death across major U.S. cities.
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America's Deadliest Season Arrives Early: Phoenix, Houston, and Chicago Face a Dangerous Summer as Heat-Related ER Visits Surgeon June 10, 2026 at 2:02 pm
Phoenix confirmed its first 2026 heat death in April. Houston heat-related ER visits surged 329% since 2019. With summer just starting, public health officials are sounding the alarm.