The Howard Hughes Medical Institute (HHMI) is a nonprofit medical research organization that focuses on biomedical research. The organization was founded in 1953 by Howard Hughes, a businessman and aviator, and is headquartered in Chevy Chase, Maryland. HHMI has more than 3000 employees, including scientists, administrative staff, and support personnel. The organization's research focuses on a variety of areas, including genetics, neuroscience, and structural biology. HHMI is one of the largest private research organizations in the United States, with an endowment of over $20 billion.