Committee Sponsored Sessions

Back to School: A Review of Four Fast-Moving Fields

Sponsored by the AAI Program Committee

Moderators
Cathryn R. Nagler, Univ. of Chicago, USA, AAI Program Committee Chair
Keke C. Fairfax, Univ. of Utah, USA

Speakers
Kyle G. Daniels, Stanford Univ., USA, CAR T cells
Juan L. Mendoza, Univ. of Chicago, USA, Protein engineering
Katrin D. Mayer-Barber, NIAID, NIH, USA, Eosinophils and immunity: an update
Wayne M. Yokoyama, Washington Univ. Sch. of Med., St. Louis, USA, Natural killer cells—back to the future

Technologies that Enhance the Application of Non-traditional Animal Models for Improved Translational Research

Sponsored by the AAI Veterinary Immunology Committee (VIC)
Generously supported by the American Association of Veterinary Immunologists (AAVI)

Chairs
Maisie Dawes, Western Univ. of Hlth. Sci. Col. of Vet. Med., USA, AAI VIC Chair
Jodi L. McGill, Iowa State Univ. Col. of Vet. Med., USA, AAVI Past President

Speakers
Crystal Loving, USDA, ARS, Natl. Animal Dis. Ctr., USA, Connecting the dots: single-cell and spatial transcriptomics highlight B cell states and interactions with macrophages in the Peyer’s patch
Wesley C. Warren, Univ. of Missouri, Columbia, USA, Gaining molecular insight toward understanding resilience to viral disease in the chicken
Greg A. Kirchenbaum, Cellular Technol., ImmunoSpot permits in-depth assessment of the B cell response elicited by infection or vaccination
Laura C. Miller, Kansas State Univ. Col. of Vet. Med., USA, Transcriptomics and 3D models for biomarker discovery

Over the years, advances in immunological research, which have predominantly relied on rodent models, have led to landmark successes such as the discovery of the cellular and molecular components of the immune system and the determination of the coordinated and functional capacities of each. However, in addition to an obvious lag in the transfer of basic research findings to clinical application, there has been a growing appreciation for the greater relevance of non-traditional large animal species models and their demonstration of susceptibilities to pathogens that are genetically like those that inflict human illnesses.  Additionally, their immune responses often mimic that observed in human patients—the most commonly intended therapeutic target. While the use of these natural disease models affords scientists the opportunity to investigate host-pathogen interactions in outbred populations that have an immune system with shared physiology, it has become increasingly apparent that the translatable nature of research findings is heavily reliant on scaffolds that provide an integrated view of the crosstalk that exists between the pathogen and host organs, tissues, cells, and molecules.  In his 2008 commentary, Steven Wolfe correctly states that translational research means “different things to different people.” This symposium shares the view that it is bidirectional and benefits both the individual and populations through the development of novel therapeutics which prevent, diagnose, or treat disease. This “process of turning research observations into health solutions” is facilitated by enormous advances in bioinformatics and high-throughput multi-omics technologies, which provide massive data constructs that reflect the multi-layered molecular network of the immune response in the face of physiologic and pathologic conditions. Eager to improve access to translational research and inspire the development of cross-disciplinary, boundary-crossing partnerships that stimulate innovative, creative, bold, rigorous, inclusive, and diverse investigative approaches that address unmet needs with efficiency and speed, this symposium will highlight the work of four scientists who utilize ‘big data’ techniques: transcriptomics, three-Dimensional biomarker imaging, high-throughput epitope mapping, to enhance the clinical applicability of their research.

Immunology Teaching Interest Group: Enhancing Your Immunology Teaching

Sponsored by the AAI Education Committee

Chairs
John K. Cusick, California Northstate Univ., USA
Michelle Snyder, Towson Univ., USA

Speakers
William H. Carr, Medgar Evers Col., CUNY, USA, Gaps in undergraduate usage of an immunology course-based social media toolkit for evaluating the validity of X (formerly known as Twitter) and/or Facebook posts about vaccines
Raffaella Ghittoni, Univ. of Southern California, USA, Opsonins as sugar sprinkles and B cells as music DJs? Effective examples of analogies used as a pedagogical tool in immunology education
Brian K. Martin, Idaho Col. of Osteopathic Med., USA, Alignment of objectives and identification of curricular gaps in immunology at a U.S. osteopathic medical school
Aimee Pugh-Bernard, Univ. of Colorado Anschutz Med. Campus, USA, Super hero or super villain? AI as a tool for teaching and learning

Breakout Session Leaders
Stephanie James, Regis Univ., USA, Using team-based learning to teach immunology online?!
Jastaranpreet Singh, Univ. of Toronto, CAN, Context matters as immunologists navigate the immuno-statistical landscape
Maria Tokuyama, Univ. of British Columbia, CAN, Breaking through the immunology jargon in large classrooms using BINGO*

Are you looking for new ideas or strategies to enliven and improve your teaching? If so, please join us for this special interest group, which will focus on strategies that instructors can use to successfully convey immunology concepts to students at the undergraduate and graduate level. The session will explore teaching strategies through talks and structured breakout discussion groups. Current educators, new faculty, and trainees with an interest in teaching are welcome.

*Bring your laptop to get the most out of this breakout session!

What It Will Take to End Cancer as We Know It: Opportunities and Realities in Cancer Research

Sponsored by the AAI Committee on Public Affairs

Chairs
Gretchen Diehl, Mem. Sloan Kettering Cancer Ctr., USA, AAI Committee on Public Affairs Chair
Lauren Ehrlich, Univ. of Texas, Austin, USA

Speaker
W. Kimryn Rathmell, NCI, NIH, USA

Join the AAI Committee on Public Affairs (CPA) for an engaging conversation with the new Director of the National Cancer Institute (NCI), W. Kimryn Rathmell, M.D., Ph.D. (AAI ‘23), who will help attendees understand and navigate the complex yet promising landscape of cancer research. Dr. Rathmell will describe her vision for NCI, her scientific priorities, opportunities for immunologists, and challenges confronting cancer researchers, including a difficult funding environment. The discussion will also highlight President Biden’s reignited Cancer Moonshot initiative, which ambitiously aims to revolutionize cancer treatment and “end cancer as we know it.” Don't miss this opportunity to gain insights and participate in a dynamic Q&A session following the conversation.

Careers Roundtables and Speed Networking Session

Sponsored by the AAI Minority Affairs Committee

Chair
Luis J. Montaner, Wistar Inst., AAI Minority Affairs Committee Chair

Career building and networking skills have never been more crucial to ensure success for trainees and early career scientists, including those traditionally underrepresented in biomedical research. At the session, take advantage of the opportunity to meet in small-group format with established immunologists and others to hear how they have handled the career challenges you now face and learn what they believe will work for you today. Then practice networking in a relaxed environment offering a structured networking exercise and personalized feedback on communicating your scientific interests/objectives most effectively. Scientists and trainees of all backgrounds are encouraged to attend!

Registration fee: $40 (includes lunch)

Table Topics and Table Leaders:

Grad Student: Finding a Mentor, Setting Sights on Postdoc Training
• Curtis Henry, Emory Univ., USA; Julie Mirpuri, UT Southwestern Med. Ctr., USA
• Joseph Larkin III, Univ. of Florida, USA; Beth Tamburini, Univ. of Colorado, USA
• Keke Fairfax, Univ. of Utah, USA; Rakshin Kharwadkar, Genentech;

Navigating Challenges Unique to International Grad Students and Postdocs
• Javier Irazoqui, UMass, USA; Craig Maynard, Univ. of Alabama, Birmingham, USA
• Swinburne Augustine, EPA, USA; Michael Opata, NIAID, NIH, USA

The Physician-Scientist Career Path – NEW
• Virginia Pascual, Cornell Univ., USA; Wayne Yokoyama, Washington Univ., St. Louis, USA
• Laura Santambrogio, Weill Cornell Med., USA; Sing Sing Way, Cincinnati Children's Hosp. Med. Ctr., USA

Postdoc: Finding a Mentor, Setting Sights on a Faculty Position
• Jeniffer Hernandez, Keck Grad. Inst., USA; Luis Montaner, Wistar Inst., USA
• Harlan Jones, Univ. of North Texas; Charlotte Vines, Univ. of Texas, El Paso, USA
• Maria-Luisa Alegre, Univ. of Chicago, USA; Antonieta Guerrero-Plata, LSU, USA

Junior Faculty: Preparing for Promotion and Tenure
• Jose Conejo-Garcia, Duke Univ., USA; Carla Rothlin, Yale Sch. of Med., USA
• Robert Binder, Univ. of Pittsburgh, USA; Elizabeth Kovacs, Univ. of Colorado, USA
• Amal Amer, Ohio State Univ., USA; Avery August, Cornell Univ., USA

Academia or Industry: How to Decide (or Switch Sides)
• Louise D’Cruz, BD Biosci.; Rashade Haynes II, Bristol Myers Squibb
• Stephen Haley, Immudex; Kiyomi Komori, Uniquity Bio
• Jason Stadanlick, Cabaletta Bio; Jeanette Ampudia, Equillium
• Frann Antignano, STEMCELL Tech.; Randy Brutkiewicz, Indiana Univ., USA
• Gisele Baracho, BD Biosci.; Albert Zlotnik, Univ. of California, Irvine, USA

Government Agency Careers (including Grant Review)
• Ravi Bassavapa, ARPA-H, USA; Vanitha Raman, NIAID, NIH, USA
• Timothy Gondre-Lewis, NIAID, NIH, USA; Thomas Conway, NIAID, NIH, USA
• Zhuqing “Charlie” Li, NIAID, ORTSP, DEA, NIH, USA; Bridget Burke, NIAID, ORTSP, DEA, NIH, USA

Beyond the Bench Science Careers:
• Entrepreneurship
   - Eduardo Davila, Univ. of Colorado, USA; Tonya Webb, Univ. of Maryland Sch. of Med., USA
• Nonprofits/Foundations
   - Derek Haseltine, Hertz Fndn., USA; Thandi Onami, Bill & Melinda Gates Fnd., USA
• Science Consulting – NEW
   - Andrea Loewendorf, ImmunoVation
• Science Policy
   - Emily Kansler, AAI; Jacob Schumacher, AAI
• Scientific Patent Law/Technology Transfer
   - Michael Hinton, Univ. of Chicago, USA; James Lillard, Morehouse Sch. of Med., USA
• Scientific Publishing/Science Writing
   - Adriana Benavides, AAI; Ellen Fox, AAI

Spotlight on AAI Journals: A Symposium Featuring Talks Highlighting Papers Recently Published in The Journal of Immunology and ImmunoHorizons

Sponsored by the AAI Publications Committee

Chairs
Daniel J. Campbell, Benaroya Res. Inst., USA, AAI Publications Committee Chair
Gail A. Bishop, Univ. of Iowa Carver Col. of Med., USA

Speakers
Kenneth Oestreich, Ohio State Univ., USA, Eos promotes TH2 differentiation by interacting with and propagating the activity of STAT5
Shawna Brookens, Univ. of Pennsylvania, USA, Plasma cell differentiation, antibody quality, and initial germinal center B cell population depend on glucose influx rate
Natasha Perumal, Washington Univ., St. Louis, USA, cGAS–STING pathway activation during trypanosoma cruzi infection leads to tissue-dependent parasite control
Orr-El Weizman, Yale Sch. of Med., USA, Type 2 dendritic cells orchestrate a local immune circuit to confer antimetastatic immunity
Brian Edelson, Washington Univ. Sch. of Med., St. Louis, USA, BHLHE40 mediates cross-talk between pathogenic TH17 cells and myeloid cells during experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis
Jonathan Kaye, Cedars-Sinai Med. Ctr., USA, The TOX gene encodes two proteins with distinct and shared roles in gene regulation

A symposium featuring talks highlighting papers recently published in The Journal of Immunology and ImmunoHorizons.

Translational Immunology: Moving Immunology into the Clinic

Sponsored by the AAI Clinical Immunology Committee
Generously supported by Kyowa Kirin

Chairs
Samik Basu, Cabaletta Bio
Bjoern Peters, La Jolla Inst. for Immunol.

Speakers
Daniel Cua, Janssen Res. & Dev., Targeting the IL-23 pathway: an end to end scientific journey
Laura A. Johnson, Verismo Therapeut., Gene-engineered T cell therapy: bench to bedside and back again, academia through industry
Aimee S. Payne, Columbia Univ., USA, Advances in cellular engineering of human and canine immunotherapies

How to Review a Scientific Paper

Sponsored by the AAI Publications Committee

Chairs
Daniel J. Campbell, Benaroya Res. Inst., USA, AAI Publications Committee Chair
Gail A. Bishop, Univ. of Iowa Carver Col. of Med., USA, Editor-in-Chief, The Journal of Immunology

Speakers
Gail A. Bishop, Univ. of Iowa Carver Col. of Med., USA, How to be the reviewer you want to have
Ellen C. Fox, AAI, How to spot data manipulation during peer review

Funding Spotlight: Translating Academic Research to Industry (Panel Discussion and Networking)

Sponsored by the AAI Clinical Immunology Committee
Networking reception generously supported by JDRF

Chairs
Erica L. Stone, GigaGen, AAI Clinical Immunology Committee Chair
Joshua A. Vieth, JDRF

Speakers
Mira Chaurushiya, Westlake Village BioPartners
Judy Chou, AltruBio
Jeffrey Hubbell, Univ. of Chicago, USA
Will Orent, JDRF T1D Fund

How do you move your translational research into industry? This panel will discuss different stages of research development and funding. Stay after the panel discussion to network with attendees and panelists!

Careers in Science Roundtables

Sponsored by AAI Committee on the Status of Women

Chair
Julie M. Jameson, California State Univ., San Marcos, USA, AAI Committe on the Status of Women Chair

At this popular session, attendees will have the opportunity to meet with experienced scientists to explore specific career issues important to today's scientists. Gain insights into issues you are confronting in your own career. Topics include international opportunities in science, succeeding in graduate school, tips on grant writing, considerations for scientists in M.D.-Ph.D. careers, and exciting careers beyond the bench. Topics include building productive mentor/mentee relationships; overcoming self-doubt; and tackling gender biases in recruitment, research, and leadership; and navigating work/life issues, such as balancing careers with family and transitioning from specific career stages, which may be relevant to any work environment (academic research, biotech industry, governmental agencies, nonprofit). Don’t miss this great opportunity!

Registration fee: $40 (includes lunch)

Table Topics and Table Leaders:

Challenges for International Trainees/PIs
• Weishan Huang, LSU, USA; Michael Opata, NIAID, NIH, USA

STEM Opportunities for URM in the US
• Avery August, Cornell Univ., USA; Javier Irazoqui, UMass Chan Med. Sch., USA

New PI Toolbox (mentoring effectively, recruiting students and postdocs, preparing for promotion, early career self-promotion)
• Wei Luo, Indiana Univ. Sch. of Med., USA; Dequina Nicholas, Univ. of California, Irvine, USA

Work/Life Balance
• Kathryn Knoop, Mayo Clin. Minnesota, USA; Juan Mendoza, Univ. of Chicago, USA

Building Networking Skills
• Swinburne Augustine, EPA, USA; Clara Abraham, Yale Univ. Sch. of Med., USA

Grant Writing for PIs
• Carrie Lucas, Yale Univ. Sch. of Med. USA

Balancing Teaching Responsibilities with Research
• Deborah Brown, Trudeau Inst., Clarkson Univ., USA; Michelle Snyder, Towson Univ., USA

How to Negotiate for Better Self-Promotion
• Elizabeth Leadbetter, UT Hlth. San Antonio, USA

Challenges for Women Mentors and PIs
• Cheong-Hee Chang, Univ. of Michigan, USA; Michelle Krogsgaard, NYU Grossman Sch. of Med., USA

Tackling Gender Biases in Recruitment, Research, and Leadership
• Kristin Hogquist, Univ. of Minnesota, USA; Melanie Rutkowski, Univ. of Virginia, USA

Opportunities for Teaching and Research in Predominantly Undergraduate Institutions
• Julie Jameson, California State Univ., San Marcos, USA; Edith Porter, UCLA, USA

Biotech and Industry: R&D
• Samik Basu, Cabaletta Bio; Nikki B. Marshall, GSK
• Julie Rumble, Cayman Chemical Company; Erica Stone, GigaGen

Biotech and Industry: Business Development
• Judy Chou, AltruBio

Biotech and Industry: Medical/Translational Directors
• Laura Johnson, Verismo Therapeut.; Kiyomi Komori, Uniquity Bio

Biotech and Industry: Technical Operations and Communications
• James Jin, Biocytogen

Careers in Science Policy
• Lauren Gross, AAI, USA; Elizabeth Kovacs, Univ. of Colorado Anschutz Med. Campus, USA

Research from the M.D., Ph.D. Perspective/The Physician Scientist
• Aimee Payne, Columbia Univ., USA; Maria-Luisa Alegre, Univ. of Chicago, USA

Careers in Veterinary Immunology
• Michael Criscitiello, Texas A&M Univ., USA; Crystal Loving, USDA, ARS, Natl. Animal Dis. Ctr., USA

Academia versus Industry
• Daniel Cua, Janssen Res. & Dev.; Qizhi Tang, UCSF, USA

Careers in Government Agencies
• Arya Biragyn, NIA, NIH, USA; Kelly Hudspeth, NIAID, NIH, USA
• Michael Humble, NIEHS, NIH, USA; Mulualem Tilahun, NIA, NIH, USA

Scientific Publishing
• Adriana Benavides, AAI, USA; Eugene Oltz, Ohio State Univ. Col. of Med., USA

Opportunities for Scientists in Non-profits/Foundations
• Joshua Vieth, JDRF; Shermaine Mitchell-Ryan, Hlth. and Envrn. Sci. Inst., USA

Science Communication, Popular Science Writing, Editing
• Aimee Pugh-Bernard, Univ. of Colorado Anschutz Med. Campus, USA

Alternative Careers in Science
• Mira Chaurushiya, Westlake Village BioPartners

Mentoring Across Racial/Ethnic/Nationality Differences
• Rameeza Allie, Penn State Col. of Med., USA; Ziaur Rahman, Thomas Jefferson Univ., USA

How to Build Productive Mentor/Mentee Relationships
• Nicholas Lukacs, Univ. of Michigan, USA; Olivia Martinez, Stanford Univ. Med. Sch., USA

Meet the AAI Lancefield Mid-Career Achievement Award Winner
• Stephanie Eisenbarth, Northwestern Univ. Feinberg Sch. of Med., USA

Keynote Speaker Table
• Erica Saphire, La Jolla Inst. for Immunol., USA

Succeeding in Graduate School
• Kate MacNamara, Albany Med. Col., USA

Graduate Student to Postdoc
• Shanjana Awasthi, Univ. of Oklahoma Hlth. Sci. Ctr., USA; Malini Raghavan, Univ. of Michigan, USA
• Anita Chong, Univ. of Chicago, USA; Erin E. West, NHLBI, USA

Postdoc to PI
• Craig Maynard, Univ. of Alabama, Birmingham, USA; Zhenyu Zhong, Univ. of Texas Southwestern Med. Ctr., USA
• Claudia Kemper, NHLBI, NIH, USA; Gianluca Veggiani, LSU, USA

Grant Writing for Fellowships
• Jessy Alexander, Univ. at Buffalo, SUNY, USA; Lauren Zenewicz, Univ. of Oklahoma Hlth. Sci. Ctr., USA

Funding and Career Training Opportunities through the Office of Research Training and Special Programs, Division of Extramural Activities at NIAID
• Bridget Burke, NIAID, ORTSP, DEA, NIH, USA; Zhuqing “Charlie” Li, NIAID, ORTSP, DEA, NIH, USA

Careers in Science Keynote Lecture

Sponsored by AAI Committee on the Status of Women

Chair
Julie M. Jameson, California State Univ., San Marcos, USA, AAI Committee on the Status of Women Chair

Speaker
Erica Ollmann Saphire, La Jolla Inst. for Immunol., USA, Pave your own road

Sip and Learn: Speed Networking with Immunology Educators

Sponsored by the AAI Education Committee and ImmunoHorizons

Chairs
Nicholas A. Pullen, Univ. of Northern Colorado, USA, AAI Education Committee Chair
Mark H. Kaplan, Indiana Univ. Sch. of Med., USA

Are you interested in immunology education? Join the editors of ImmunoHorizons and the AAI Education Committee for a networking event for current and future immunology educators! The first part of this session will be short one-on-one meetings, where you’ll have the opportunity to meet others with an interest in immunology education. Then attendees can continue their conversations in a relaxed setting over coffee. All are welcome! Scientists and trainees of all backgrounds are encouraged to attend.

Registration fee: $25

Careers in Biotech: Panel Discussion and Networking

Sponsored by the AAI Education Committee

Chair
Kiyomi Komori, Uniquity Bio

Speakers
Jeanette Ampudia, Equillium
Samik Basu, Cabaletta Bio
Alex Gonzalez, Miltenyi Biotec
Erin C. Zook, Becton Dickinson and Co.

Many opportunities exist in industry for scientists with advanced degrees. There are positions in laboratory research, program management, business development, regulatory affairs, clinical trials oversight, medical liaison, and more. This panel features scientists employed in a variety of positions in industry discussing their career paths and the skills required for success in each. Following the panel discussion, enjoy casual conversation with the speakers and other scientists from industry at a networking reception.

National Institutes of Health: Simplifying the Review of Research Project Grant Applications

Chair
Gretchen Diehl, Mem. Sloan Kettering Cancer Ctr., USA, AAI Committee on Public Affairs Chair

Speaker
Ross Shonat, CSR, NIH, USA

The National Institutes of Health (NIH) is committed to ensuring that all applications for funding receive fair, independent, expert, and timely scientific reviews so the agency can fund the most promising research. NIH also continually focuses on efforts to improve peer review. This session will discuss NIH’s current initiative to simplify the peer review framework for research project grant applications. The agency’s ultimate goal is to identify the best, most innovative science with the potential to improve human health or advance our scientific understanding. The speaker will explain how the existing review criteria will be reorganized in a way that will help reviewers focus on the key questions needed to assess the scientific merit of applications: Can and should the proposed research be conducted? The presenter will discuss how these changes may also help to reduce the potential for reputational bias in review. The new framework will take effect for most research project grant applications with due dates on or after January 25, 2025. Learn more at https://grants.nih.gov/policy/peer/simplifying-review.htm.

Giving an Effective Media Interview

Sponsored by the AAI Public Communications Committee

Chair
Deepta Bhattacharya, Univ. of Arizona, USA, AAI Public Communications Committee Chair

Join us and learn how to captivate audiences with the fascinating world of immunology and its role in health. Deliver interviews with poise and precision, ensuring your message is clear and accurate. By attending this session, you'll gain the confidence and tools to become a go-to source for journalists seeking reliable information on immunology. This session is open to all.

AAI Vanguard Award Presentation and Lecture

Sponsored by the AAI Minority Affairs Committee
Generously supported by the Yale Department of Immunobiology

Chair
Luis J. Montaner, Wistar Inst., AAI Minority Affairs Committee Chair

Award Recipient

Tonya J. Webb
Univ. of Maryland Sch. of Med., USA
Modulating NKT cells for cancer immunotherapy

In recognition of research achievement and exemplary career success by an underrepresented investigator

Dr. Montaner and AAI President Akiko Iwasaki will present the award immediately prior to the lecture.