AAI Congressional Briefing
“Combating Chronic Disease: How Immunological Research is Transforming Therapies for Autoimmune Diseases”
March 18, 2026
12:00 pm - 1:15 pm Eastern Time
Cannon House Office Building, Room 340
Speakers:
- Fred Ramsdell, PhD – Founder and Scientific Advisor, Sonoma Biotherapeutics, Inc.
- Ignacio Sanz, MD – Professor, Department of Medicine, Emory University School of Medicine
- Amanda Troutman – Type 1 diabetes advocate, Mooresville, North Carolina
- 厂丑补诲茅&苍产蝉辫;惭补濒濒辞谤测-惭补蝉辞苍 – Lupus patient advocate, Brandywine, Maryland
Co-chairs:
- Stephen Jameson, PhD, Professor and Harry Kay Chair in Biomedical Research, University of Minnesota Medical School, Twin Cities; AAI Past President
- Lauren I.R. Ehrlich, PhD, Associate Professor of Oncology; L. Leon Campbell PhD Distinguished Professorship in Microbiology, University of Texas at Austin; Chair, AAI Committee on Public Affairs
Description
Autoimmune diseases are the third most common disease category in the US, affecting an estimated 25–31 million people (5–8% of the population), roughly 80% of whom are women, and the incidence continues to rise. Foundational research on immune tolerance, or how the body restrains inappropriate immune responses, is a critical component of understanding and treating autoimmunity. While knowledge gaps remain, the field is in a new era of therapeutic innovation due to basic immunology research, offering revolutionary treatment options to patients and loved ones battling these life-altering afflictions.
Please join the American Association of Immunologists for an enlightening presentation describing the exciting advances changing the landscape of autoimmune disease management and treatment. Nobel laureate Dr. Fred Ramsdell and distinguished expert Dr. Ignacio Sanz will delve into what goes awry in the immune system to cause autoimmunity and will discuss innovative therapies that create opportunities for vastly improved outcomes. Attendees will also hear powerful stories from Amanda Troutman, whose son was among the first to be treated with an immunotherapy to delay the onset of type 1 diabetes, and 厂丑补诲茅&苍产蝉辫;惭补濒濒辞谤测-惭补蝉辞苍, a lupus patient who entered remission in 2023 because of an effective treatment plan which included antibody therapies.
Formal remarks will be followed by a Q&A session.
RSVP here:
*Please note this event is in-person only and will not be recorded*
Lunch will be served
This briefing meets Congressional鈥痚thics requirements for a widely attended event