AAI President’s Message
Ulrich H. von Andrian, M.D., AAI ’97
Edward Mallinckrodt Jr. Professor of Immunopathology; Department of Immunology—Harvard Medical School
AAI President, 2025-2026
It is an extraordinary honor to begin my term as President of the American Association of Immunologists. I am deeply grateful for the trust placed in me by our membership, and I step into this role with humility, determination, and a profound sense of responsibility to serve our community at a time of unprecedented challenge and opportunity.
For more than two decades, I have considered AAI my scientific home. From my first presentations at AAI’s Annual Meetings to my years on the Program and Nominating Committees and more recently through my service on the AAI Council, I have seen firsthand how AAI fosters excellence and community. The organization’s core mission—advancing discovery, supporting immunologists at every stage, and advocating for science—is deeply personal to me. It is a privilege to now help steer that mission forward.
During my five-year term on the AAI Council, I have been inspired by the dedication of our members and the thoughtful stewardship of my predecessors. I’ve had the opportunity to help strengthen our offerings to members, expand our support for trainees and early-career scientists, and engage in vital advocacy efforts.
Looking ahead to the 2025–2026 term, my vision is rooted in three guiding principles: empowerment, community, and stewardship. We have been living in what many rightly call a golden age of immunology. Immunologists' discoveries are redefining medicine by uncovering the immune system's inner workings, illuminating its involvement in a wide range of diseases, and creating mechanism-based strategies to treat or prevent these diseases. But there are challenges that will need to be met to maintain momentum. As leaders, we have a responsibility to protect the freedom to pursue bold, curiosity-driven research to ensure that the next generation of immunologists is empowered to innovate, and to defend science as a public good.
Empowerment: nurture the next generation of immunologists
We find ourselves in truly unprecedented times in which uncertainty has become a part of our everyday lives. And, while troubling, this is also an opportunity to come together as a community and adapt. As part of that adaptation, perhaps we as immunologists should take the opportunity to reflect on and examine our own practices.
In this context, one area of particular focus for me will be the career development of our trainees and junior faculty. Our field is home to some of the most brilliant and driven young scientists in biomedicine. Yet systemic pressures such as funding insecurity and increasing administrative burdens continue to create barriers. AAI must remain steadfast in creating environments where early-career scientists can thrive.
The pressures of scientific publishing may be another reason why pursuing a career in science has become more challenging. Publications of original scientific work have long been the primary currency propelling scientists' careers. But to achieve acceptance in high-profile, high-impact journals in the field of immunology requires an ever-increasing quantity of data that demands extraordinary amounts of time and funding. This goal can be elusive and sometimes even unattainable during a time-limited postdoctoral training period. Every year, the goalposts appear to be moving further away – goalposts that we, ourselves, set. This relentless trend can be discouraging for early-career researchers striving to publish their work to advance their careers. It is time to critically examine our practices and think about how we might change them to both advance immunological science and promote immunology research as a career path.
Community: strengthen belonging within AAI
As an organization, AAI must also continue to examine and evolve its governance structures to ensure they reflect its membership and mission. Transparent leadership, open communication, and meaningful opportunities for member input will be essential to ensure that AAI remains responsive and effective in the years ahead. I look forward to working with the AAI Council, committees, and staff to develop and maintain strong governance practices in alignment with our Strategic Framework.
Stewardship: safeguard the long-term vitality of biomedical research
Advocacy has always been a central pillar of AAI’s work, and it will be a priority throughout my term. We are fortunate to have passionate members and knowledgeable staff, all dedicated to protecting the future of our field. Many of you over the years have advocated for immunological research by engaging with policymakers, writing letters to Congress, and speaking out to the media and the public on key issues. As your President, I will continue to support your efforts to secure robust federal funding for biomedical research, protect the independence of scientific agencies, and promote policies that value diversity and integrity in science. The real power comes from your collective voice, and I challenge each one of you to do your part in protecting, promoting and advancing our field.
To this end, we must intensify our efforts to communicate the value of immunology research—not only among ourselves but with the broader public. The pandemic reminded the world of the life-saving impact of immunology. But public understanding remains fragile, and some segments of society have become more skeptical of science in general and immunology in particular. We must find new ways to tell the story of immunology in a way that builds trust and inspires people.
Thank you for the opportunity to serve. I welcome your ideas, your questions, and your partnership. Together, we will continue to advance the field of immunology—and the community that powers it.