IMMUNOLOGY2026™ Conference Recordings For Attendees-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 welcomed attendees, thanked sponsors and staff, and previewed meeting highlights including the President’s Symposium on leukocyte trafficking, new “Deeper Dive” sessions, and Next Gen Immunologists Day. He emphasized AAI’s support for members during a difficult funding climate, including the Restore grants program, and described AAI’s advocacy efforts on Capitol Hill that helped secure an NIH budget increase despite proposed cuts. He also announced plans to form a task force to study the growing problem of ever-increasing data demands for publication, which he argued are discouraging trainees and harming the field.<br /><br />The evening also honored Jenny Ting with the AAI Lifetime Achievement Award for her major contributions to innate immunity, antigen presentation, vaccine adjuvants, and translational immunology, along with her leadership and mentorship. AAI then inducted 22 new Distinguished Fellows.<br /><br />AAI CEO Loretta Doan followed with remarks on the organization’s strategic vision, new bylaws and governance reforms, expanded education efforts, stronger industry engagement, public advocacy, and media outreach. She stressed AAI’s mission to support immunology from bench to bedside.<br /><br />In his presidential address, von Andrian reflected on his unconventional path from medicine in Germany to immunology, then reviewed foundational discoveries in leukocyte adhesion, lymphocyte homing, high endothelial venules, two-photon imaging, T cell priming, B cell antigen capture, and neuroimmune interactions. He concluded by returning to his central concern: the escalating size and complexity of papers, which he believes may be making it harder for scientists—especially early-career researchers—to thrive.

Meta Tag

Date April 15, 2026 5:00 PM - 6:15 PM

Room Ballroom

Session President's Program

Speaker Ulrich H. von Andrian

Year 2026

Keywords

Ulrich H. von Andrian

April 15, 2026 5:00 PM - 6:15 PM

Ballroom

2026

President's Program

American Association of Immunologists

AAI annual meeting

leukocyte trafficking

President's Symposium

Next Gen Immunologists Day

Restore grants

NIH budget increase

Capitol Hill advocacy

Jenny Ting

Lifetime Achievement Award

Distinguished Fellows

immunology research