Scientific Program

2021 AAI President’s Address

Jenny P. Ting
Univ. of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, AAI President (2020–2021)
The all-encompassing importance of innate immunity

Jeffrey A. Frelinger, Univ. of Arizona and Univ. of North Carolina, Chapel Hill
Introduction

2021 AAI President’s Symposium

The Impact of Immunology on Health and Diseases: As Far as the Eye Can See

Chair:

• Jenny P. Ting, Univ. of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, AAI President (2020–2021)

Speakers:

Etty (Tika) N. Benveniste
Univ. of Alabama, Birmingham, Sch. of Med.
Neutrophil involvement in autoimmune neuroinflammation

Mary N. Carrington
NCI, NIH
The impact of immunogenetic variation on functional characteristics of the immune response

Blossom A. Damania
Univ. of North Carolina, Chapel Hill
Modulation of host immunity by human herpesviruses

Laurie H. Glimcher
Dana Farber Cancer Inst.
Stressed out: a novel approach to cancer immunotherapy 

2020 AAI President’s Address

Jeremy M. Boss
Emory Univ. Sch. of Med., AAI President (2019–2020)
The regulation of immunity

Presentation of Lifetime Achievement Award to Marc K. Jenkins

Peter E. Jensen, Univ. of Utah
Introduction

2020 AAI President’s Symposium

Genes and Genomes in Healthy and Autoimmune Lymphocytes

Presentation of AAI Excellence in Mentoring Award to Jeffrey A. Bluestone

Chair:

• Jeremy M. Boss, Emory Univ. Sch. of Med., AAI President (2019–2020)

Speakers:

Michael S. Krangel
Duke Univ. Med. Ctr.
RAG expression and TCR repertoire formation in double positive thymocytes

Frances E. Lund
Univ. of Alabama, Birmingham
Inflammatory cytokine-mediated control of effector memory B cell development and function

Eugene M. Oltz
The Ohio State Univ. Col. of Med.
Wiring schemes for innate and adaptive lymphoid cells

Max D. Cooper
Emory Univ. Sch. of Med.
The evolution of T and B cells

Due to the cancellation of IMMUNOLOGY2020™, some of the 2020 lectures
and symposia will be presented at Virtual IMMUNOLOGY2021™.

Chair:

• David Masopust, Univ. of Minnesota, AAI Program Committee Chair

Speaker:

Michael P. Cancro
Perelman Sch. of Med., Univ. of Pennsylvania
A tale of two subsets: rethinking B cell selection, homeostasis, and memory

Chair:

• David Masopust, Univ. of Minnesota, AAI Program Committee Chair

Speaker:

Dario A.A. Vignali
Univ. of Pittsburgh Sch. of Med.
Immune inhibitory mechanisms in cancer

Chair:

• David Masopust, Univ. of Minnesota, AAI Program Committee Chair

Speaker:

Donna L. Farber
Columbia Univ. Med. Ctr.
Human immunity in space and time

Major Symposium A: Modern World Influences on the Microbiome and their Consequences for Immune-Mediated Diseases

Chairs:

• Cathryn Nagler, Univ. of Chicago
• Barbara Rehermann, NIDDK, NIH

Speakers:

• Barbara Rehermann, NIDDK, NIH, Natural vs. laboratory world: wild mouse microbiota improve host fitness and preclinical models
• Noah Palm, Yale Univ., Illuminating the ‘dark matter’ of the bioactive microbiota metabolome
• June L. Round, Univ. of Utah, Microbe-immune interactions prevent obesity
• Cathryn Nagler, Univ. of Chicago, Intestinal bacteria regulate allergic responses to food
• Neil Surana, Duke Univ., Microbiome engineering to treat inflammatory diseases

Major Symposium B: Host Immunity to Intracellular Pathogens

Chairs:

• Phillip A. Scott, Univ. of Pennsylvania Sch. of Vet. Med.
• Shabaana A. Khader, Washington Univ., St. Louis

Speakers:

• Phillip A. Scott, Univ. of Pennsylvania Sch. of Vet. Med., Pathways promoting pathology: how CD8⁺ T cell cytolysis influences disease outcome in cutaneous leishmaniasis
• Shabaana A. Khader, Washington Univ., St. Louis, Role of innate lymphoid cells in tuberculosis
• John T. Harty, Univ. of Iowa, T cell immunity in tissues
• Manuela Raffatellu, Univ. of California, San Diego, Mucosal immunity to Salmonella
• Melissa B. Lodoen, Univ. of California, Irvine, Innate immunity and pathogenesis in the vasculature during Toxoplasma gondii infection
• Maziar Divangahi, McGill Univ., Canada, Hematopoietic stem cells: the target for vaccine or pathogen

Major Symposium C: An Immunological Angle on the Brain and its Diseases

Chairs:

• Jonathan Kipnis, Washington Univ., St. Louis
• Zsuzsanna Fabry, Univ. of Wisconsin Sch. of Med.

Speakers:

• Zsuzsanna Fabry, Univ. of Wisconsin Sch. of Med., Dendritic cells link neuroinflammation and lymphangiogenesis in the brain
• Antoine Louveau, Lerner Res. Inst., Regulation of brain maturation by the meningeal lymphatic vasculature
• Isaac M. Chiu, Harvard Univ., Role of neuro-immune interactions in bacterial host defense
• Ashley Moseman, Duke Univ. Sch. of Med., Coordinating CNS host defense following olfactory neuroinvasion
• Stanley Perlman, Univ. of Iowa, Coronavirus infections of the CNS and immunological responses
• Beth Stevens, Boston Children’s Hosp., Mapping microglia states to function in health and disease

Major Symposium D: Innate Immunity—The Good, The Bad, The Ugly

Chairs:

• Clara Abraham, Yale Univ.
• Katherine A. Fitzgerald, Univ. of Massachusetts Med. Sch.

Speakers:

• Clara Abraham, Yale Univ., Modulation of innate immune responses by disease-associated genes
• Katherine A. Fitzgerald, Univ. of Massachusetts Med. Sch., Regulation of inflammation by nucleic acid-binding proteins
• Daniel B. Stetson, Univ. of Washington, Innate immune detection of intracellular DNA
• Raphaela T. Goldbach-Mansky, NIAID, NIH, Innate immune dysregulation in autoinflammatory diseases
• Gregory F. Sonnenberg, Weill Cornell Med., Immune regulation of intestinal health
• Kodi S. Ravichandran, Univ. of Virginia, Soothing messages on the way out: apoptotic cell communication with the neighborhood

Major Symposium E: Molecular Mechanisms of Tumor Immunity

Chairs:

• Thomas E. Gajewski, Univ. of Chicago
• Lisa H. Butterfield, Parker Inst. for Cancer Immunotherapy

Speakers:

• Thomas E. Gajewski, Univ. of Chicago, Mechanisms of cancer immunotherapy efficacy vs. resistance
• Lisa H. Butterfield, Parker Inst. for Cancer Immunotherapy, Cancer vaccines and what does and doesn't matter
• Weiping Zou, Univ. of Michigan, Metabolic impact on cancer immunity and therapy
• Jennifer A. Wargo, Univ. of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Ctr., The role of the microbiome in response and toxicity to therapy
• Arlene H. Sharpe, Harvard Med. Sch., Discovery of new immuno-oncology targets leveraging CRISPR

Major Symposium F: Engineering Immunity

Chairs:

• Dennis Burton, Scripps Res.
• Benjamin A. Youngblood, St. Jude Children’s Res. Hosp.

Speakers:

• Dennis Burton, Scripps Res., Neutralizing antibodies, neutralization, and vaccines
• Laura M. Walker, Adimab, LLC, Broad and potent neutralizing antibodies to combat viral threats
• Darrell J. Irvine, MIT, The impact of vaccine kinetics on humoral immunity
• Alexander Marson, Univ. California, San Francisco, Reprogramming human T cells with CRISPR
• Benjamin A. Youngblood, St. Jude Children’s Res. Hosp., Epigenetic reprogramming of CD8⁺ T cell differentiation potential
• Anjana Rao, La Jolla Inst. for Immunology, Transcriptional and epigenetic regulation in anti-tumor responses

Major Symposium G: B Cell Lineage Signals in Protective vs. Maladaptive Antibody Responses

Chairs:

• Mark R. Boothby, Vanderbilt Univ. Med. Ctr.
• Roberta Pelanda, Univ. of Colorado, Denver

Speakers:

• Roberta Pelanda, Univ. of Colorado, Denver, Molecular control of central B cell tolerance: is it one for all?
• Julie Zikherman, Univ. of California, San Francisco, Negative feedback regulation of normal and autoimmune B cell responses
• João P. Pereira, Yale Univ., B cell circuits in homeostasis and disease
• Pamela L. Schwartzberg, NIAID, NIH, Modulation of B cell responses by activated PI3K-delta
• Mark R. Boothby, Vanderbilt Univ. Med. Ctr., Imag(in)ing a fusion of nutrients, metabolism, and function as B cells effect antibody responses
• Michel C. Nussenzweig, Rockefeller Univ., Human antibody responses to viral pathogens

Major Symposium H: The Stromal Cell Underpinning of Immune Cell Development and Function

Chairs:

• Susan R. Schwab, New York Univ. Grossman Sch. of Med.
• Juan Carlos Zúñiga-Pflücker, Univ. of Toronto, and Sunnybrook Res. Inst., Canada

Speakers:

• Juan Carlos Zúñiga-Pflücker, Univ. of Toronto, and Sunnybrook Res. Inst., Canada, Thymus stromal cells are plastic
• Mark S. Anderson, Univ. of California, San Francisco, Maintenance of immune tolerance by thymic stromal cells
• Burkhard Ludewig, Kantonsspital St. Gallen, Switzerland, Fibroblastic reticular cells: subsets and functions
• Susan R. Schwab, New York Univ. Grossman Sch. of Med., Exit strategies: S1P and immune cell migration
• Theresa T.-S. Lu, Hosp. for Special Surgery Res. Inst., Langerhans cells and stromal regulation in lupus
• Melody A. Swartz, Univ. of Chicago, Antigen presentation by lymphatic endothelial cells and T cell memory

COVID-19 and the Science of Pandemics—Lessons Learned

Chairs:

• David Masopust, Univ. of Minnesota, AAI Program Committee Chair
• M. Michele Hogan, Executive Director, AAI

Speakers:

Anthony S. Fauci
Director
NIAID, NIH

Linda J. Saif
Distinguished University Professor
The Ohio State Univ.

AAI Vanguard Lecture

Sponsored by the AAI Minority Affairs Committee

Chair:

• Tonya J. Webb, Univ. of Maryland Sch. of Med., AAI Minority Affairs Committee Chair

Speaker:

De’Broski R. Herbert
Univ. of Pennsylvania Sch. of Vet. Med.
IL-33 regulates the balance between inflammation and immunosuppression

Presented by an AAI member selected by the Minority Affairs Committee for their scientific achievement and exemplary career success

AAI Lifetime Achievement Award Presentation

Presented prior to Dr. Boss's President’s Address

Chair:

• Jeremy M. Boss, Emory Univ. Sch. of Med., AAI President (2019–2020)

Award Recipient:

Marc K. Jenkins
Univ. of Minnesota Ctr. for Immunology

Recognizes a member for a career of extraordinary scientific achievement and exceptional leadership and service to AAI

AAI-BD Biosciences Investigator Award Presentation and Lecture

Generously supported by BD Biosciences

Chair:

• Jeremy M. Boss, Emory Univ. Sch. of Med., AAI President (2019–2020)

Award Recipient:

Erika L. Pearce
Max Planck Inst. of Immunobiology and Epigenetics, Germany; Bloomberg-Kimmel Inst. for Cancer Immunotherapy, Johns Hopkins Univ. (as of January 1, 2021)
Metabolic regulation of T cell function

Recognizes an early-career investigator who has made outstanding contributions to the field of immunology

AAI-Thermo Fisher Meritorious Career Award Presentation and Lecture

Generously supported by Thermo Fisher Scientific

Chair:

• Jeremy M. Boss, Emory Univ. Sch. of Med., AAI President (2019–2020)

Award Recipient:

Alexander Y. Rudensky
HHMI, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Ctr., Rockefeller Univ. and Weill Cornell Med.
The virtue of restraint in adaptive immunity

Recognizes a mid-career scientist for outstanding research contributions to the field of immunology

AAI Excellence in Mentoring Award Presentation

Presented prior to Dr. Boss's President’s Symposium

Chair:

• Jeremy M. Boss, Emory Univ. Sch. of Med., AAI President (2019–2020)

Award Recipient:

Jeffrey A. Bluestone
Univ. of California, San Francisco, and Sonoma Biotherapeutics

Recognizes a member for exemplary career contributions to a future generation of scientists

AAI-BioLegend Herzenberg Award Presentation and Lecture

Generously supported by BioLegend

Chair:

• Jeremy M. Boss, Emory Univ. Sch. of Med., AAI President (2019–2020)

Award Recipient:

Susan K. Pierce
NIAID, NIH
Regulators and influencers of B cell affinity discrimination

Recognizes an individual who has made exemplary research contributions to the field of B cell biology

AAI-Steinman Award for Human Immunology Research Presentation and Lecture

Chair:

• Jeremy M. Boss, Emory Univ. Sch. of Med., AAI President (2019–2020)

Award Recipient:

Michael J. Lenardo
NIAID, NIH
Identification of novel gene defects leads to precision therapies for congenital immune diseases

Recognizes an individual who has made significant contributions to the understanding of immune processes underlying human disease pathogenesis, prevention, and therapies

AAI Distinguished Service Award Presentation

Presented at the Business Meeting

Award Recipient:

Juan Carlos Zúñiga-Pflücker
Univ. of Toronto, and Sunnybrook Res. Inst., Canada
For outstanding service to AAI and the immunology community as director of the AAI Introductory Course in Immunology, 2014–2019

Recognizes a member for outstanding service to the AAI community

Careers Roundtable

Sponsored by the AAI Minority Affairs Committee

Chair:

• Tonya J. Webb, Univ. of Maryland Sch. of Med.; AAI Minority Affairs Committee Chair

Networking skills have never been more crucial to ensure success for early/mid-career scientists, including those traditionally under-represented in biomedical research. At the roundtable, take advantage of the opportunity to meet in small-group format with accomplished, senior immunologists 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!

Discussion Topics

• Grad student: finding a mentor, setting sights on postdoc training
• Postdoc: finding a mentor, taking aim at a faculty position
• Junior Faculty: preparing for promotion and tenure
• Academia or Industry: how to decide (or switch sides)
• Government Agency Careers
• Non-Bench-Research Science Careers:
  • Entrepreneurship
  • Non-profits/Foundations
  • Grants Review/Administration
  • Research technology
  • Science policy
  • Scientific publishing

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

Sponsored by the AAI Program Committee

This workshop intends to bring a broad audience up-to-date on a few emerging or rapidly changing fields or areas of technological innovation. Expert lecturers will provide an overview of each trending topic with an emphasis on communicating big picture concepts.

Chairs:

• David Masopust, Univ. Minnesota, AAI Program Committee Chair
• Kimberly S. Schluns, Univ. of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Ctr.

Speakers:

• David Brooks, Princess Margaret Cancer Ctr., Canada, High-dimensional mass cytometry based immune profiling for basic research and cancer clinical trials
• Dorian McGavern, NINDS, NIH, The neuroimmunology of health and disease
• Beth McCormick, Univ. of Massachusetts, Best practices in analytical methods for studying the microbiome
• Michael Y. Gerner, Univ. of Washington, Quantitative imaging of the immune system

AAI Vanguard Lecture

Sponsored by the AAI Minority Affairs Committee

Chair:

• Tonya J. Webb, Univ. of Maryland Sch. of Med., AAI Minority Affairs Committee Chair

Speaker:

De’Broski R. Herbert
Univ. of Pennsylvania Sch. of Vet. Med.
IL-33 regulates the balance between inflammation and immunosuppression

Presented by an AAI member selected by the Minority Affairs Committee for their scientific achievement and exemplary career success

The U.S. COVID-19 Response: Successes, Failures, and Ongoing Challenges

Sponsored by the AAI Committee on Public Affairs

Chair: 

• Ross M. Kedl, Univ. of Colorado Anschutz Sch. of Med., AAI Committee on Public Affairs Chair

Careers in Science Roundtables

Sponsored by the AAI Education Committee & AAI Committee on the Status of Women

Chair:

• Laura A. Solt, Scripps Res., AAI Committee 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 men and women in science today. 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. New to the 2020 session are topics on building productive mentor/mentee relationships, overcoming self-doubt, and tackling gender biases in recruitment, research, and leadership. There are also table discussions on 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, non-profit). Don’t miss this great opportunity!

Speaker:

• Joan Goverman, Univ. of Washington, Overcoming self-doubt and becoming a confident scientist

Discussion topics

• New PI (mentoring effectively, recruiting students and postdocs, preparing for promotion, tips for balancing teaching and research)
• Succeeding in Graduate School
• Graduate Student to Postdoc
• Postdoc to PI
• Work/Life Balance
• Building Networking Skills
• Biotech and Industry
• Overcoming Self-Doubt and Becoming a Confident Scientist
• Tackling Gender Biases in Recruitment, Research, and Leadership
• Careers in Government Agencies
• Scientific Publishing
• Opportunities for Scientists in Non-profits/Foundations & Careers in Science Policy
• Grant Writing for PIs
• Research from M.D., Ph.D. Perspective/ The Phsysician Scientist
• International Opportunities

Zoonotic Pandemics—Immune Factors Contributing to Pathogenesis and Protection

Sponsored by the AAI Veterinary Immunology Committee

Support in part provided by the American Association of Veterinary Immunologists (AAVI)

Approaches to improve health via immunomodulation or immunotherapy cross into both human and veterinary medicine. Advances in vaccine formulations and therapeutic modalities in domestic animals have translational applications for improving human health.  This symposium will highlight the clinical implications of using stem cells as immunomodulators, approaches to modulate immunity to decrease infectious disease, and provide insight on novel therapeutic approaches for animal health. Collectively, the talks presented in this symposium will showcase the translational cohesion between veterinary and human health to support the current “One Health” research concept.

Chairs:

• Crystal Loving, USDA, ARS, Natl. Animal Dis. Ctr., AAI Veterinary Immunology Committee Chair

Speakers:

• Alix Berglund, North Carolina State Univ. Vet. Med., Immunomodulation by mesenchymal stem cells: mechanisms, clinical implications, and future directions
• Duncan Mwangi, Zoetis, Immunomodulation and immunotherapy: the dawn of novel therapies in animal health
• Renukaradhya J. Gourapura, Ohio State Univ. Col. of Vet. Med., Nature of vaccine delivery vehicle determines the Th1 or Th2 biased immunity against flu: lessons from a pig model
• Christine A. Peterson, Univ of Iowa Col. of Pub. Hlth., Immunotherapy and vaccination for canine infectious diseases

Panel Discussion: Minority Scientists’ Experience: Challenging and Overcoming Barriers to Enhancing Diversity and Career Advancement

Sponsored by the AAI Minority Affairs Committee

Chair:

• Tonya Webb, Univ. of Maryland Sch. of Med., AAI Minority Affairs Committee Chair

Careers in Biotech Panel Discussion

Sponsored by the AAI Education Committee

Chair:

• H. Kiyomi Komori, Arena Pharmaceuticals

Many opportunities exist in biotechnology 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 discussing their career paths and the skills required for success in each.

Panelists:

• Sadiye Rieder, Senior Scientist, Viela Bio,Gaithersburg, MD
• Rachel S. Soloff, Senior Director of Research, Kyowa Kirin Pharma. Res., La Jolla, CA
• Ben Wen, Associate Director, Genomics Inst. of the Novartis Res. Fndn., San Diego, CA
• Tania Wiens, Director of Business Development, Precision for Med., Carlsbad, CA

How to Write a Scientific Paper, Respond to Reviews, and Disseminate Your Findings

Sponsored by the AAI Publications Committee

In this session sponsored by the AAI Publications Committee, experienced editors and authors will provide valuable insights to the processes of preparing a manuscript, responding to reviewers’ comments, and how to use social media to spread the word about your work. In addition, the Editor-In-Chief of The Journal of Immunology will speak on the career benefits of publishing in The JI.

Chairs:

• Tania H. Watts, Univ. of Toronto, Canada, AAI Publications Committee Chair
• Eugene M. Oltz, The Ohio State Univ. Col. of Med., Editor-in-Chief, The Journal of Immunology

Speakers:

• Tania H. Watts, Univ. of Toronto, Canada, What’s your punchline? How to write a compelling manuscript
• Gail A. Bishop, Univ. of Iowa, What to do when reviews arrive
• Akiko Iwasaki, Yale Sch. of Med., How to use Twitter to promote your publication
• Eugene M. Oltz, The Ohio State Univ. Col. of Med., Why you should publish in The JI – and ImmunoHorizons too!

Immunology Teaching Interest Group

Sponsored by the AAI Education Committee

Chairs:

• Edith Porter, California State Univ., Los Angeles
• Michelle A. Swanson-Mungerson, Chicago Col. of Osteopathic Med., Midwestern Univ.

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 the use of test-based learning, animated visual models, active learning strategies, and more through talks and structured breakout discussion groups. Current educators, new faculty, and trainees with an interest in teaching are welcome.

Panelists:

• Michelle A. Swanson-Mungerson, Chicago Col. of Osteopathic Med., Midwestern Univ., Student application of immunology concepts and mechanisms through test-based learning on Canvas
• Crystal M. Del Valle, Univ. of Wisconsin, Eau Claire, Immunology play: incorporating active learning into your lecture
• Gerald L. Buldak, Loyola Univ. Chicago, Toward an animated visual model for teaching immunology
• Pierette M. Appasamy, Chatham Univ., Avoiding the “can’t see the forest for the trees” problem in teaching immunology

Breakout Session Leaders:

• William H. Carr, Medgar Evers Col., CUNY, A hands-on workshop on using H5P as an active learning tool to build content-based critical thinking skills
• Sharon A. Stranford, Pomona Col., and Crystal M. Del Valle, Univ. of Wisconsin, Eau Claire, Active learning strategies
• Natalie C. Steinel, Univ. of Massachusetts, Lowell, and Abby L. Geis, Arkansas Col. of Osteopathic Med., Medical education

Transforming the Study of Human Disease through Systems Immunology

Sponsored by the AAI Clinical Immunology Committee

Single-cell analytics are changing the way we interpret and understand immunology. In this session sponsored by the AAI Clinical Immunology Committee, top researchers will highlight the use of single-cell analytics to explore human immunology and how such techniques will open doors to tomorrow’s therapeutics.

Chair:

• Jennifer Anolik, Univ. of Rochester Med. Ctr., AAI Clinical Immunology Committee Chair 

Speakers:

• Paul Thomas, St. Jude Children’s Res. Hosp., Decoding T cell receptor specificity in viral infections and tumors
• Bana Jabri, Univ. of Chicago, Tissue-resident T cells in health and disease
• Ali Ellebedy, Washington Univ. Sch. Of Med., St. Louis, Lessons from the odyssey of human B cell response to vaccination
• Maromit Singer, Harvard Univ., Elucidating systemic immune characteristics in melanoma with single-cell transcriptomics

Careers Roundtable

Sponsored by the AAI Minority Affairs Committee

Chair:

• Tonya J. Webb, Univ. of Maryland Sch. of Med.; AAI Minority Affairs Committee Chair

Networking skills have never been more crucial to ensure success for early/mid-career scientists, including those traditionally under-represented in biomedical research. At the roundtable, take advantage of the opportunity to meet in small-group format with accomplished, senior immunologists 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!

Discussion Topics

• Grad student: finding a mentor, setting sights on postdoc training
• Postdoc: finding a mentor, taking aim at a faculty position
• Junior Faculty: preparing for promotion and tenure
• Academia or Industry: how to decide (or switch sides)
• Government Agency Careers
• Non-Bench-Research Science Careers:
  • Entrepreneurship
  • Non-profits/Foundations
  • Grants Review/Administration
  • Research technology
  • Science policy
  • Scientific publishing

NIH Grants Workshop: Demystifying the Grant Application Submission, Review, and Funding Processes

Chair:

• Tina McIntyre, CSR, NIH

Panelists:

• Tina McIntyre, Scientific Review Officer, III Study Section, Immunology IRG, DPPS, CSR, NIH
• Deborah Hodge, Scientific Review Officer, HAI Study Section, Immunology IRG, DPPS, CSR, NIH
• Julio Aliberti, Scientific Review Officer, Immunology Review Branch, NIAID, NIH
• Joseph Breen, Chief, Immunoregulation Section, Basic Immunology Branch, DAIT, NIAID, NIH

This workshop will provide participants with an overview of NIH grant submission, assignment, review, and funding opportunities. Emphasis will be given to identification of the most appropriate funding agencies and mechanisms available through NIH, how to make an application “reviewer friendly,” and other strategies that contribute to applications that succeed in obtaining research funding. The workshop will also provide information on how to understand the peer review system, which is essential to competing successfully for funding, with a focus on recent changes to the review process. NIH review and program staff will provide a broad array of expertise and encourage questions from seminar participants. This workshop is open to anyone interested in learning more about preparing an NIH grant application and obtaining NIH funding. Trainees and independent investigators are welcome.

Careers in Science Roundtables

Sponsored by the AAI Education Committee & AAI Committee on the Status of Women

Chair:

• Laura A. Solt, Scripps Res., AAI Committee 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 men and women in science today. 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. New to the 2020 session are topics on building productive mentor/mentee relationships, overcoming self-doubt, and tackling gender biases in recruitment, research, and leadership. There are also table discussions on 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, non-profit). Don’t miss this great opportunity!

Speaker:

• Joan Goverman, Univ. of Washington, Overcoming self-doubt and becoming a confident scientist

Discussion topics

• New PI (mentoring effectively, recruiting students and postdocs, preparing for promotion, tips for balancing teaching and research)
• Succeeding in Graduate School
• Graduate Student to Postdoc
• Postdoc to PI
• Work/Life Balance
• Building Networking Skills
• Biotech and Industry
• Overcoming Self-Doubt and Becoming a Confident Scientist
• Tackling Gender Biases in Recruitment, Research, and Leadership
• Careers in Government Agencies
• Scientific Publishing
• Opportunities for Scientists in Non-profits/Foundations & Careers in Science Policy
• Grant Writing for PIs
• Research from M.D., Ph.D. Perspective/ The Phsysician Scientist
• International Opportunities

How to Have a Successful Postdoctoral Experience

A postdoctoral fellowship is the time to develop research skills you will need to succeed as an independent scientist. It is, however, just as important to realize that you need to prepare for a career path at the same time. This session will highlight ways of getting the most out of your postdoctoral fellowship, relating successfully with your mentor, and understanding how to use the resources available to you to ensure that your training prepares you adequately for a seamless transition into the next phase of your career.

Careers in Biotech Panel Discussion

Sponsored by the AAI Education Committee

Chair:

• H. Kiyomi Komori, Arena Pharmaceuticals

Many opportunities exist in biotechnology 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 discussing their career paths and the skills required for success in each.

Panelists:

• Sadiye Rieder, Senior Scientist, Viela Bio,Gaithersburg, MD
• Rachel S. Soloff, Senior Director of Research, Kyowa Kirin Pharma. Res., La Jolla, CA
• Ben Wen, Associate Director, Genomics Inst. of the Novartis Res. Fndn., San Diego, CA
• Tania Wiens, Director of Business Development, Precision for Med., Carlsbad, CA

How to Convert Your CV into a Résumé

Speaker:

• Derek Haseltine, Director, Career Develop. Ctr., Baylor Col. of Med.

For anyone seeking a job outside of academe, how you present yourself on paper is critical. A well prepared résumé can make all the difference in securing that interview. The focus of this session will be on the important elements of a résumé, the differences between a résumé and the standard academic curriculum vitae, and the information needed to make a good impression. In this special career development session, attendees will be instructed in how to transform their CVs into professional résumés. Small breakout sessions for individual consulting will follow. Bring your CV!

Immunology Teaching Interest Group

Sponsored by the AAI Education Committee

Chairs:

• Edith Porter, California State Univ., Los Angeles
• Michelle A. Swanson-Mungerson, Chicago Col. of Osteopathic Med., Midwestern Univ.

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 the use of test-based learning, animated visual models, active learning strategies, and more through talks and structured breakout discussion groups. Current educators, new faculty, and trainees with an interest in teaching are welcome.

Panelists:

• Michelle A. Swanson-Mungerson, Chicago Col. of Osteopathic Med., Midwestern Univ., Student application of immunology concepts and mechanisms through test-based learning on Canvas
• Crystal M. Del Valle, Univ. of Wisconsin, Eau Claire, Immunology play: incorporating active learning into your lecture
• Gerald L. Buldak, Loyola Univ. Chicago, Toward an animated visual model for teaching immunology
• Pierette M. Appasamy, Chatham Univ., Avoiding the “can’t see the forest for the trees” problem in teaching immunology

Breakout Session Leaders:

• William H. Carr, Medgar Evers Col., CUNY, A hands-on workshop on using H5P as an active learning tool to build content-based critical thinking skills
• Sharon A. Stranford, Pomona Col., and Crystal M. Del Valle, Univ. of Wisconsin, Eau Claire, Active learning strategies
• Natalie C. Steinel, Univ. of Massachusetts, Lowell, and Abby L. Geis, Arkansas Col. of Osteopathic Med., Medical education

Interviewing for a Job

Speaker:

• Derek Haseltine, Career Develop. Ctr., Baylor Col. of Med.

This session will be focused on tips and techniques to help you successfully navigate the interview process. Emphasis will be on how you can present yourself in the best possible light. You will also learn how to respond to unexpected questions. This session is open to anyone but is especially intended for student and postdoctoral attendees.

Social Event (TBA)

Social Event (TBA)

Social Event (TBA)

Social Event (TBA)

Social Event (TBA)

AAI Business Meeting and Awards Presentation

AAI reports on the “state of the association” to its members at every AAI annual meeting. Members will hear from the Executive Director, the Secretary-Treasurer, the Editor-in-Chief of The Journal of Immunology (The JI), and the Chair of the Committee on Public Affairs on the financial standing of AAI, the status of The JI, important public policy issues, and other items of interest for the membership. Special AAI awards will also be presented during this session.

AAI Distinguished Fellows Class of 2020 and Class of 2021 Acknowledgment

Acknowledged at the AAI Business Meeting.

The Distinguished Fellows of AAI program annually recognizes members for distinguished careers and outstanding scientific contributions as well as their service to AAI and the immunology community. It honors active, long-term members (25 or more years) who have demonstrated one or more of the following: excellence in research accomplishment in the field of immunology; exceptional leadership to the immunology community in academia, foundations, nonprofits, industry, or government at a national or international level; notable distinction as an educator. Election as a Distinguished Fellow is among the highest honors bestowed by AAI.

AAI Distinguished Service Award Presentation

Presented at the Business Meeting

Award Recipient:

Juan Carlos Zúñiga-Pflücker
Univ. of Toronto, and Sunnybrook Res. Inst., Canada
For outstanding service to AAI and the immunology community as director of the AAI Introductory Course in Immunology, 2014–2019

Recognizes a member for outstanding service to the AAI community

Pfizer-Showell Award

This award recognizes the professional promise of an early career investigator (assistant professor or equivalent) by assisting the award recipient with registration for the AAI annual meeting to present their research. This award is supported through an endowment from Henry J. Showell and Pfizer, Inc.

AAI Executive Director M. Michele Hogan will introduce the awardee and present the award during the AAI Business Meeting.

Lefrançois-BioLegend Memorial Award

Established to honor the memory of AAI Member Dr. Leo Lefrançois, this award is intended to advance the career of a trainee who attends the AAI annual meeting and presents an outstanding abstract specifically in the area of mucosal immunology. This award is generously supported by BioLegend and donations from friends and colleagues of Dr. Lefrançois.

AAI Executive Director M. Michele Hogan and Gene Lay, CEO, BioLegend, will introduce the awardee and present the award during the AAI Business Meeting.

Lustgarten-Thermo Fisher Scientific Memorial Award

Established to honor the memory of AAI Member Dr. Joseph Lustgarten, this award is intended to advance the career of a mid-career scientist who attends the AAI annual meeting and presents an outstanding abstract specifically in the area of immune regulation. This award is generously supported by Thermo Fisher Scientific.

AAI Executive Director M. Michele Hogan and David Piper, Senior Director of Research and Development, Thermo Fisher Scientific, will introduce the awardee and present the award during the AAI Business Meeting.

Chambers-Thermo Fisher Scientific Memorial Award

Established to honor the memory of AAI Member Dr. Cynthia Chambers, this award is intended to advance the career of an early career scientist who attends the AAI annual meeting and presents an outstanding abstract specifically in the area of cancer biology. This award is generously supported by Thermo Fisher Scientific.

AAI Executive Director M. Michele Hogan and David Piper, Senior Director of Research and Development, Thermo Fisher Scientific, will introduce the awardee and present the award during the AAI Business Meeting.

AAI-Thermo Fisher Trainee Achievement Awards

This award recognizes up to six promising trainees in the field of immunology. Selection is based on career promise and presentation of an outstanding first-author abstract selected for a Block Symposium. This award is generously supported by Thermo Fisher Scientific.

AAI Executive Director M. Michele Hogan and David Piper, Senior Director of Research and Development, Thermo Fisher Scientific, will introduce the awardees and present the awards during the AAI Business Meeting.