UTICA – The Masonic Medical Research Institute is celebrating its 60th birthday, and the unveiling of its second- and third-floor upgrades.

The upgrades are designed to accommodate more researchers and solidify – possibly even advance – its stature in heart research.

Masonic expects rapid growth to lead in new directions in the near future, with the same goal of helping people live longer and better.

"I expect in about five years we should be thinking about expanding into a couple of wings so that we can continue to expand our research efforts outside of cardiology,” said Maria Kontaridis, director of research for Masonic Medical Research Institute. “This would remain the cardiovascular institute, and we would then build a cancer institute and maybe another disease biology institute as well. So we have big plans.”

Masonic Medical Research Institute has a weekend of celebrations planned to mark 60 years.