Highlights of IMMUNOLOGY2026™ - Invited Program Recordings-President's Address: Immunology in Space and Time

Video Transcription

Video Summary

At the 109th annual meeting of the American Association of Immunologists in Boston, AAI President Uli von Andrian opened the meeting by welcoming attendees, thanking sponsors and AAI staff, and previewing key events, including the President’s Symposium on leukocyte trafficking, the new “Deeper Dive” sessions, and Next Gen Immunologists Day for undergraduates. He also highlighted AAI’s Restore grants, which provided bridge funding to members affected by abrupt grant terminations, and described AAI’s advocacy efforts in Washington that helped secure a $415 million increase in NIH funding.<br /><br />Von Andrian then used his presidential address to reflect on a major concern in modern science: the ever-growing demand for more and more data to publish. He argued that escalating reviewer expectations are making it harder for young scientists to build careers in immunology and announced plans to form a task force to study the problem and propose solutions.<br /><br />The evening also honored Jenny Ting with the AAI Lifetime Achievement Award for her landmark discoveries in innate immunity, antigen presentation, translational immunology, and mentorship. AAI also inducted 22 Distinguished Fellows.<br /><br />AAI CEO Loretta Doan followed with remarks about the organization’s strategic vision, including new bylaws and governance reforms, broader engagement with industry, expanded education efforts, and public outreach through advocacy and the Immunology Explained initiative.<br /><br />Finally, Klaus Ley introduced von Andrian’s scientific journey, from medical training in Germany to pioneering work in leukocyte trafficking, intravital and two-photon microscopy, T cell priming, memory, B cell antigen capture, and neuroimmune interactions, underscoring his long-standing impact on immunology.

Keywords

American Association of Immunologists

AAI annual meeting

Uli von Andrian

leukocyte trafficking

President’s Symposium

Next Gen Immunologists Day

Restore grants

NIH funding

scientific publishing pressure

Jenny Ting

Lifetime Achievement Award

immunology research