IMMUNOLOGY2026™ Conference Recordings For Attendees-Never working a day in your life: Turning your passions into a career

Video Transcription

Video Summary

The transcript features Dr. Curtis J. Henry receiving the 2026 AAI Vanguard Award, honoring his outstanding immunology research and career success as an underrepresented investigator. In his acceptance talk, Henry shifts from a traditional science lecture to a personal reflection on “passion,” describing it as the force that sustains scientists through challenges. He shares his journey from a small town in South Carolina, through FAMU, Wake Forest, Colorado, and Emory, emphasizing the importance of family, mentors, teamwork, and resilience.  <br /><br />He also speaks candidly about history, equity, and the responsibility scientists have beyond the lab to improve society. Professionally, he highlights his lab’s research on how aging, obesity, and chronic inflammation affect immunity and cancer outcomes, especially leukemia. A major focus is his team’s work showing that obesity can impair T-cell function and reduce the effectiveness of CAR T-cell therapy in pediatric leukemia models.  <br /><br />The talk closes with a call to love what you do, support others, and use science and communication to leave the world better than you found it.

Meta Tag

Date April 17, 2026 4:45 PM - 5:45 PM

Room 157

Session AAI Vanguard Award Presentation and Lecture

Speaker Curtis Henry

Track Career/Networking (CAREER/NET)

Year 2026

Keywords

Dr. Curtis J. Henry

AAI Vanguard Award

immunology research

underrepresented investigator

passion in science

obesity and immunity

CAR T-cell therapy

pediatric leukemia

April 17, 2026 4:45 PM - 5:45 PM

157

AAI Vanguard Award Presentation and Lecture

Curtis Henry

Career/Networking (CAREER/NET)

2026