Melanie Lundquist

The Lundquist Institute is a leading independent non-profit biomedical research organization located in Torrance, California, and is closely affiliated with the Harbor-UCLA Medical Center. Renamed in 2019 following a transformative gift from philanthropists Melanie and Richard Lundquist, the institute focuses on translating scientific discoveries into practical medical treatments and diagnostics. It operates a significant research portfolio across areas such as infectious diseases, genomics, and chronic illnesses, and maintains a dedicated biotech incubator, the BioInnovation Center, to foster startup growth. The institute has a storied history of innovation, including the development of the first modern pregnancy test and the first FDA-approved treatment for sickle cell disease in children.