The Immunology Podcast

In May 2025, we attended IMMUNOLOGY2025™, the annual meeting of the American Association of Immunologists, in Honolulu. We chat with delegates about their research and impressions of the meeting. They discuss their reasons for attending, the most memorable research, and their experiences in Hawaiʻi.

This special episode was recorded in front of a live audience at IMMUNOLOGY2025™ in Honolulu. In this conversation, hosted by Dr. Nicole Quinn, Brenda and Jason share what they've learned from recording over 100 episodes of the Immunology Podcast. They talk about how the field has evolved during the past four years, the importance of making science and scientists accessible, and predictions for emerging areas of research.

In May 2025, we attended IMMUNOLOGY2025™, the annual meeting of the American Association of Immunologists in Honolulu, and recorded daily episodes discussing highlights of the previous 24 hours. Here is the final of five special episodes from the meeting, in which Brenda and Jason discuss sessions on lymphatic immunophysiology and how opioids drive immunosuppression in cancer.

In May 2025, we attended IMMUNOLOGY2025™, the annual meeting of the American Association of Immunologists in Honolulu, where we recorded daily episodes highlighting key developments from the previous 24 hours. This is the fourth of five special episodes from the meeting. In this episode, Brenda and Jason discuss how macrophages contribute to lung tissue repair and influence hormone activity, as well as the mechanisms linking MHC-II abnormalities to autoimmune disease pathogenesis.

In May 2025, we attended IMMUNOLOGY2025™, the annual meeting of the American Association of Immunologists in Honolulu, and recorded daily episodes discussing highlights of the previous 24 hours. Here is the third of five special episodes from the meeting. Brenda and Jason discuss highlights from sessions on mucosal immunology and the role of T cells in lactogenesis. They also talk about γδ CAR T cells and veterinary immunology — from sharks to elephants.

In May 2025, we attended IMMUNOLOGY2025™, the annual meeting of the American Association of Immunologists in Honolulu, and recorded daily episodes discussing highlights of the previous 24 hours. Here is the second of five special episodes from the meeting. Brenda and Jason discuss highlights from sessions on tumor-infiltrating lymphocyte and T-cell receptor therapies, unconventional functions of Tregs, and advances in single-cell RNA sequencing.

In May 2025, we attended IMMUNOLOGY2025™, the annual meeting of the American Association of Immunologists in Honolulu, and recorded daily episodes discussing highlights of the previous 24 hours. Here is the first of five special episodes from the meeting. Brenda and Jason discuss highlights from talks including immune responses to bacterial infections, p53 reactivation for cancer therapy, and the mechanisms that lead to celiac disease.

Dr. Henrique Veiga-Fernandes is a Full Investigator and Group Leader at the Champalimaud Foundation. He talks about interactions between the nervous and immune systems and how ILC2s regulate blood glucose levels.

Dr. Monika Wolkers is a Group Leader at the Sanquin Blood Supply Foundation and an Associate Professor at the University of Amsterdam. Her research focuses on RNA-binding proteins and how they affect T cell function. She talks about  γδ T cells in immunotherapy, targeting pediatric tumors, and how a sabbatical led her to study RNA-binding proteins.

Drs. Stephen Jameson is the President of the American Association of Immunologists, and LMP Professor and Harry Kay Chairman's Fund Professor in Experimental Pathology at the University of Minnesota Twin Cities. Dr. Bonnie Dittel is the Dr. Gilbert C. White II Endowed Faculty Chair at Versiti Blood Research Institute and Editor-in-Chief of ImmunoHorizons. In this episode, they talk about the upcoming IMMUNOLOGY2025™ meeting in Honolulu, Hawaii from May 3-7, 2025. They discuss the highlights of the program, including the President's Symposium and special sessions for new members.

Dr. Peter Doherty is Laureate Professor at the University of Melbourne. He and Dr. Rolf Zinkernagel, the co-recipient of the 1996 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine, discovered how T cells recognize their target antigens in combination with major histocompatibility complex proteins. Beyond this, Dr. Doherty has made significant contributions to studying viral immunity, with a strong focus on how the immune system responds to influenza and other respiratory viruses. In this episode, he talks about beginning his career as a veterinarian studying sheep and his seminal discoveries on the mechanisms of T cell antigen recognition. He also discusses his ventures into science communication.

Dr. Wilfried Ellmeier is a Co-Chair of the Scientific Planning Committee at the International Union of Immunological Societies (IUIS) and Professor of Immunobiology and Head of the Institute of Immunology at the Medical University of Vienna. Dr. Laurence Zitvogel is a Keynote Speaker at IUIS 2025 and a Professor and Group Leader at Gustave Roussy. Dr. Dan Littman is also a Keynote Speaker at IUIS 2025 and Professor of Cell Biology and Helen L. and Martin S. Kimmel Professor of Molecular Immunology at NYU Langone. This episode features a discussion on  the upcoming IUIS 2025 Congress taking place August 17-22 in Vienna, Austria. They talk about what to expect at the meeting, highlights from this year's program, and where to explore in Vienna.

Dr. Erica Saphire is President and CEO of La Jolla Institute. Her research explains, at the molecular level, how and viruses are pathogenic and provides the roadmap for medical defense. She talks about the capabilities of cryo-electron microscopy and how it can help illuminate the mechanisms of measles viral fusion. She also discusses her role leading La Jolla Institute.

Dr. Nicole Quinn is the Director of Brand and Scientific Communications at STEMCELL Technologies, where as part of her role, she develops and oversees programs that help scientists keep current with the latest scientific advances and innovations in their field. In this episode, she discusses the upcoming second season of the Lab Coats & Life™ Podcast, which aims to help scientists thrive by keeping listeners informed about useful soft skills and relevant trends in the scientific community. She talks about her role as a co-host, what she's learned about podcasting, key takeaways from conversations about science mentorship, and what to expect in Season 2.

Dr. Gail Bishop is a Professor of Microbiology and Immunology at the University of Iowa, where her lab studies the molecular mechanisms underlying lymphocyte activation and tolerance.  She talks about TRAF signaling, the NFκB pathway, and effects on B and T lymphocytes. She also discusses her role as Editor-in-Chief of The Journal of Immunology.

Dr. Lili Yang is a Professor of Microbiology, Immunology, and Molecular Genetics at the University of California, Los Angeles. Her research centers on deciphering the molecular mechanisms regulating anti-cancer immune responses, exploiting knowledge to develop novel immunotherapies for treating cancer, and translating these new cancer immunotherapies from bench to bedside. She talks about engineering off-the-shelf immunotherapies to fight cancer and generating CAR-NKT cells from hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells. She also discusses the role of serotonin and how SSRIs can affect cancer therapy efficacy.

Dr. Rahul Roychoudhuri is a Professor of Cancer Immunology at the University of Cambridge (Department of Pathology) and Director (Non-Clinical) of the CRUK Cambridge Centre Training Programme. His lab studies immunoregulatory mechanisms in inflammation and cancer. He talks about enhancing cell therapy with new payloads and targeting cancer cells during metastasis.

Dr. Pascal Meier is a Professor and Group Leader at the Institute of Cancer Research in London, England. His group investigates the complex relationship between cell death, immunity, and tumorigenesis. Particularly, they are focused on the role of cell death and inflammation in adaptation to tissue stress, treatment resistance, and tumour surveillance.

Dr. Marcelo Hill is the Head of the Laboratory of Immunoregulation and Inflammation at the Institut Pasteur de Montevideo. He is also the Founder and Chief Scientific Officer of ARDAN ImmunoPharma. His research focuses on immune regulation in cancer, and how T cells respond to immunotherapy in melanoma. He talks about improving immunotherapy efficacy by activating the inflammasome, and how he is pushing this research towards the clinic by collaborating with industry and creating a spin-off company. He is then joined by Drs. Marion Brunck and María Julia Lamberti, who discuss the upcoming meeting of the Latin American and Caribbean Association of Immunology, taking place November 4-8 in Buenos Aires. They discuss the challenges and opportunities in the Latin American immunology community, and how this conference aims to promote collaborations and empower early-career researchers.

Dr. JoAnne Flynn is a Professor of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics at the University of Pittsburgh and Dr. Stephen Hedrick is Chancellor's Associates Chair VII Distinguished Professor Emeritus at the University of California, San Diego. They talk about the American Association of Immunologists' Immunology Explained campaign, which aims to explain the science of the immune system to the general public. They also discuss their efforts to educate legislators about the value of immunology research and promoting childhood vaccination.

Dr. Theresa Alenghat is a Professor in the Immunobiology Division and the Margaret K. Hostetter Chair at Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, University of Cincinnati. Her lab investigates mechanisms underlying the host-microbiota relationship, and how this regulation affects intestinal immunity and inflammatory bowel disease.  She discusses how butyrate affects tuft cells in the intestine.

Dr. Roslyn Kemp is a Professor of Immunology at the University of Otago. Her research focuses on T cells as mediators of anti-tumor immunity and inflammation. She discusses using organoids to model inflammatory bowel disease and collecting immune cell signatures in cancer. She also talks about writing a book to demystify science research and careers.

Dr. Wayne Juang is a Field Application Scientist, Immunology at STEMCELL Technologies. In his current role, he works with researchers to help optimize and troubleshoot their experiments. He discusses his path to industry and his motivation to pursue an MBA.

Dr. Kipp Weiskopf is a Valhalla Fellow at the Whitehead Institute. His research focuses on unlocking the therapeutic potential of macrophages for the benefit of cancer patients. He talks about the role of macrophages in the tumor environment and how targeting the CD47/SIRPα axis can induce phagocytosis of cancer cells. He also discusses starting spin-off companies to advance cancer therapies.

Dr. Adrian Erlebacher is a Professor in the Department of Laboratory Medicine at the University of California, San Francisco. His lab studies how the developmental properties of a tissue influence its ability to mount a successful immune response. He talks about immune tolerance in pregnancy and how the maternal–fetal interface affects pregnancy outcomes.

Dr. Jeffrey Rathmell is the Cornelius Vanderbilt Professor of Immunobiology at the Vanderbilt Center for Immunobiology. His research focuses on T cell metabolism in cancer. He talks about what T cells use for fuel and his work on fatty acid synthesis. He also discusses the 'obesity paradox' in cancer immunotherapy and his favorite parts of being a scientist and professor.

Dr. Shana Kelley is the President of the Chan Zuckerberg Biohub Chicago and the Neena B. Schwartz Professor of Chemistry and Biomedical Engineering at Northwestern University. The Kelley research group works in a variety of areas spanning bio analytical technology development and has pioneered new methods for tracking molecular and cellular analytes with unprecedented sensitivity. She talks about developing DNA-based reagentless biosensors and commercializing new technologies.

Dr. Susan Kaech is a Professor and Director of the NOMIS Center for Immunobiology and Microbial Pathogenesis at the Salk Institute. Her lab aims to understand how memory T cells are produced during infection and vaccination, how they function, and why they can fail to induce long-term immunity, particularly during chronic disease or cancer. In this episode, she talks about her research on T cell exhaustion and neuroimmunology, as well as her path from genetics to immunology.

Dr. Priya Devarajan is an Assistant Professor at Stony Brook University. Her work focuses on immune memory and respiratory immunology. She talks about how aging affects the immune system and strategies to promote immune responses in the nose and lungs. She also discusses improving influenza vaccine responses and her experience interviewing for faculty positions.

Dr. Erika Moore is an Assistant Professor in the Fischell Department of Bioengineering at the University of Maryland, where her lab is committed to engineering biomaterial models that harness the regenerative potential of the immune system. She talks about building biomaterials, rejuvenating macrophages, and treating lupus. She also discusses using the right cells in research and promoting financial literacy to make science careers more accessible.

Dr. Kellen Cavagnero is a Postdoctoral Fellow at the University of California, San Diego.  His PhD work focused on how fibroblasts — a cell type thought to be immunologically inert — contribute to chronic inflammatory conditions and defense against pathogens. He talks about staph infections, antimicrobial resistance, and the types and roles of fibroblasts. He also discusses his work in science communication, including his podcast, Inflammatory Content.

In May 2024, we attended IMMUNOLOGY2024™, the annual meeting of the American Association of Immunologists, in Chicago. We spoke with delegates about their research and impressions of the meeting, including their reasons for attending and the most memorable research presented.

Dr. Jo Viney is the CEO, President, & Co-Founder and Dr. Ryan Peckner is the Director of Machine Learning & Computational Biology at Seismic Therapeutic. In this special episode recorded in front of a live audience at IMMUNOLOGY2024™ in Chicago, they discuss artificial intelligence and its applications in drug discovery and protein engineering. They talk about its limitations, its role in clinical trials, and how scientists can leverage these tools to advance their careers.

In May 2024, we attended IMMUNOLOGY2024™, the annual meeting of the American Association of Immunologists in Chicago, and recorded daily episodes discussing highlights of the previous 24 hours. Here is the final of five special episodes from the meeting, where Brenda and Jason talk about sessions including the dysfunction of exhaustive T cells enforced by MCT11-mediated lactate metabolism and extrafollicular differentiated B cells, presented by former podcast guest Dr. Frances Lund.

In May 2024, we attended IMMUNOLOGY2024™, the annual meeting of the American Association of Immunologists in Chicago, and recorded daily episodes discussing highlights of the previous 24 hours. Here is the fourth of five special episodes from the meeting, where Brenda and Jason highlight discussions on tumor-infiltrating lymphocyte therapy, chaired by former podcast guest Dr. Kristin Anderson, as well as fueling T cell fate decision during infection with an initial focus on immunometabolism.

In May 2024, we attended IMMUNOLOGY2024™, the annual meeting of the American Association of Immunologists in Chicago, and recorded daily episodes discussing highlights of the previous 24 hours. Here is the third of five special episodes from the meeting. Brenda and Jason spotlight discussions on cellular responses of microbial and parasitic infection and the immunology of pregnancy with a focus on glycan regulation of fetomaternal tolerance.

In May 2024, we attended IMMUNOLOGY2024™, the annual meeting of the American Association of Immunologists in Chicago, and recorded daily episodes discussing highlights of the previous 24 hours. Here is the second of five special episodes from the meeting. Brenda and Jason discuss highlights from sessions including microbial and environmental influences on the gut and recent breakthroughs in emerging therapeutic strategies for chronic inflammatory and fibrotic diseases.

In May 2024, we attended IMMUNOLOGY2024™, the annual meeting of the American Association of Immunologists in Chicago, and recorded daily episodes discussing highlights of the previous 24 hours. Here is the first of five special episodes from the meeting, in which Jason and Brenda highlight sessions on innate and innate-like cells and transplant immunology. Discussions include the role of hypothermia in protecting ventilator-induced lung damage and Siglec-E knockout in transplant rejection.

Dr. Caleb Lareau is an Assistant Professor at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center. His lab aims to understand how cells in our bodies adapt, expand, and evolve during the course of our lives, particularly in the immune system. He talks about cross-training in bioinformatics and immunology, and herpesvirus reactivation in CAR T cells.

Dr. Mitchell Kronenberg is a Professor and President Emeritus at La Jolla Institute for Immunology. His lab studies how innate-like T cells adapt to different tissue environments. He talks about his work on MAIT cells and mucosal immunology, as well as his time leading the Institute.

Dr. Scott Canna is an Associate Professor of Pediatrics (Rheumatology), and Attending Physician, Pediatric Rheumatology and Immune Dysregulation at the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia. His group studies the mechanisms of immune dysregulation. He talks about auto- and hyperinflammatory diseases and the role of IL-18. He also discusses hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis and adapting therapies for children.

Dr. Neelika Malavige is the Head of Dengue Global Programme and Scientific Affairs at the Drugs for Neglected Diseases Initiative and a Professor in the Department of Immunology and Molecular Medicine at the University of Sri Jayewardenepura. Her research focuses on dengue: its pathogenesis, vascular leak, immune correlates of protection, and biomarkers. She talks about the disease burden of dengue and her investigations into risk factors for severe disease. She also discusses her research on COVID-19 vaccines and the role of the microbiome in colon cancer, as well as how she's working to grow research capabilities in Sri Lanka.

Dr. James Allison is the Regental Professor and Chair of the Department of Immunology, Olga Keith Wiess Distinguished University Chair for Cancer Research, Director of the Parker Institute for Cancer Research, Executive Director of the Immunotherapy Platform, and Director of the James P. Allison Institute at MD Anderson Cancer Center. Dr. Allison has spent a distinguished career studying the regulation of T cell responses and developing strategies for cancer immunotherapy. He earned the 2018 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine, which he shared with Dr. Tasuku Honjo, "for their discovery of cancer therapy by inhibition of negative immune regulation." His current work seeks to improve immune checkpoint blockade therapies currently used by clinicians and identify new targets to unleash the immune system in order to eradicate cancer. He talks about the hunt for the T cell receptor and working to bring CTLA-4 blockade into the clinic. He also discusses what's next for immunotherapy, including future investigations into myeloid cells, and playing the harmonica in a band.

Dr. Akiko Iwasaki is the Sterling Professor of Immunobiology and Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology at Yale University and President of the American Association of Immunologists. Francisco Gomez-Rivera is an Immunology Program Graduate Student Candidate at the University of Michigan, and Dr. Jason (Swinburne) Augustine is a retired Research Microbiologist/Immunologist at the US Environmental Protection Agency. They talk about the upcoming IMMUNOLOGY2024™ meeting in Chicago, Illinois from May 3-7, 2024. They discuss key sessions to attend, what they're looking forward to at the meeting, and advice for attendees.

Dr. Dionna Williams is an Acting Associate Professor in the Department of Pharmacology & Chemical Biology at Emory University. Their research focuses on the effects of HIV infection on the brain. She talks about how HIV affects immune cells in the brain and how this can lead to neuropsychiatric symptoms. They also discuss therapeutic approaches, factors that affect how drugs can reach the brain, and moving their lab to Atlanta.

Dr. Akiko Iwasaki is the Sterling Professor of Immunobiology and Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology at Yale University and President of the American Association of Immunologists (AAI), and Dr. Aimee Bernard is an Assistant Professor of Immunology and Microbiology at the University of Colorado. Dr. Iwasaki has a very active presence on X, where she shares about COVID-19 research. Dr. Bernard is also active on social media through her TikTok account, and co-hosts a podcast, Help! Make It Make Sense. In this episode, they discuss the importance of communicating science to the public and strategies for social media. They also talk about how the AAI is working to share immunology knowledge with non-scientists through Immunology Explained.

In 2023, we attended the 18th International Congress of Immunology, hosted by the International Union of Immunological Societies (IUIS), in Cape Town, South Africa. We spoke with delegates about their research and impressions of the meeting, including their reasons for attending and the most memorable research presented. They discuss their experiences in South Africa, the meeting's focus on infectious diseases and equitable science, and sessions by Nobel laureates.

Dr. David Gibb is an Assistant Professor at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center. His lab investigates inflammatory mechanisms in patients with sickle cell disease and lupus, focusing on mechanisms regulating immune responses to red blood cell antigens following transfusion.

In 2023, we attended the 18th International Congress of Immunology, hosted by the International Union of Immunological Societies, in Cape Town, South Africa, and recorded daily episodes discussing highlights of the conference. Here is the final of five special episodes from the meeting, in which Brenda and Jason discuss sessions on integrins and ebola vaccine trials.

In 2023, we attended the 18th International Congress of Immunology, hosted by the International Union of Immunological Societies, in Cape Town, South Africa, and recorded daily episodes discussing highlights of the conference. Here is the fourth of five special episodes from the meeting, in which Brenda and Jason discuss sessions on the HIV/AIDS epidemic and vaccination strategies to prepare for the next pandemic.