AAI Introductory Course in Immunology

  Registration will open in late March 2024

July 9 – 14, 2024
UCLA Luskin Conference Center, Los Angeles, CA

Course Director: Helen S. Goodridge, Ph.D.
Cedars-Sinai Medical Center

This course offers a detailed introduction to the basic principles of immunology and is suitable for students with a general biology background. After the presentation of basic principles, clinically oriented lectures will incorporate these concepts.

  • Part I is a detailed introduction to the basic principles of immunology and is suitable for students with a general biology background.

  • Part II is a clinically-oriented lecture series.

  • Parts I and II may be taken independently at the discretion of the student.

Those seeking a more intensive course directed toward advanced trainees and scientists who wish to expand or update their understanding of the field are referred to the AAI Advanced Course in Immunology.

The AAI Introductory Course in Immunology is sponsored by The American Association of Immunologists, the largest and most prestigious association in the world for professional scientists engaged in basic and clinical immunological research.

 NOTE: All times are shown in Pacific time (PT)

Sample Schedule

Part I

Day 1

11:00 AM – 1:00 PM
Registration

1:00 PM – 2:10 PM
Helen S. Goodridge, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center
Welcome and Introduction to the Immune System

2:10 PM – 2:30 PM
Rest Break and Discussion with Faculty

2:30 PM – 3:45 PM
Timothy E. O’Sullivan, University of California, Los Angeles
Innate Immunity: Cells and Functions

3:45 PM – 4:00 PM
Rest Break and Discussion with Faculty

4:00 PM – 5:15 PM
Viviana P. Ferreira, University of Toledo College of Medicine and Life Sciences
The Complement System

5:15 PM – 6:30 PM
Networking Reception


Day 2

8:00 AM – 9:15 AM
Helen S. Goodridge, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center
Pattern Recognition Receptors

9:15 AM – 9:30 AM
Rest Break and Discussion with Faculty

9:30 AM – 10:45 AM
Lisa K. Denzin, Child Health Institute of New Jersey, Rutgers
Antigen Processing and Presentation

10:45 AM – 11:00 AM
Rest Break and Discussion with Faculty

11:00 AM – 12:15 PM
Christine Moussion, Genentech, Inc.
Dendritic Cells: The Bridge Between Innate and Adaptive Immunity

12:15 PM – 1:45 PM
Lunch Break (on your own)

1:45 PM – 3:00 PM
David Nemazee, Scripps Research
B Cell Development and Maturation

3:00 PM – 3:15 PM
Rest Break and Discussion with Faculty

3:15 PM – 4:30 PM
Juan Carlos Zuñiga-Pflücker, University of Toronto and Sunnybrook Research Institute
T Cell Development

4:30 PM – 4:45 PM
Recap


Day 3

8:00 AM – 9:15 AM
John T. Chang, University of California, San Diego
Effector T Cell Differentiation and Response

9:15 AM – 9:30 AM
Rest Break and Discussion with Faculty

9:30 AM – 10:45 AM
Shane Crotty, La Jolla Institute for Immunology
B Cell Activation and Humoral Immunity

10:45 AM – 11:00 AM
Rest Break and Discussion with Faculty

11:00 AM – 12:15 PM
Jason G. Cyster, HHMI, University of California, San Francisco
Orchestrating the Adaptive Immune Response

12:15 PM – 1:45 PM
Lunch Break (on your own)

1:45 PM – 3:00 PM
Daniela Weiskopf, La Jolla Institute for Immunology
Immunity to Viruses

3:00 PM – 3:15 PM
Rest Break and Discussion with Faculty

3:15 PM – 4:30 PM
Stephen J. McSorley, University of California, Davis
Immunity to Bacterial Pathogens

4:30 PM – 4:45 PM
Recap

Part 2

Day 4

8:00 AM – 9:15 AM
Qizhi Tang, University of California, San Francisco
T Cell Tolerance

9:15 AM – 9:30 AM
Rest Break and Discussion with Faculty

9:30 AM – 10:45 AM
Craig M. Walsh, University of California, Irvine
Autoimmunity

10:45 AM – 11:00 AM
Rest Break and Discussion with Faculty

11:00 AM – 12:15 PM
Jakob von Moltke, University of Washington
Type 2 Immunity

12:15 PM – 1:45 PM
Lunch Break (on your own)

1:45 PM – 3:00 PM
Prosper N. Boyaka, The Ohio State University
Mucosal Immunology

3:00 PM – 3:15 PM
Rest Break and Discussion with Faculty

3:15 PM – 4:30 PM
Jonathan S. Maltzman, Stanford University
Solid Organ Transplantation


Day 5

8:00 AM – 9:15 AM
Lawrence Steinman, Stanford University
Neuroimmunology

9:15 AM – 9:30 AM
Rest Break and Discussion with Faculty

9:30 AM – 10:45 AM
Stephen Shiao, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center
Tumor Immunology

10:45 AM – 11:00 AM
Rest Break and Discussion with Faculty

11:00 AM – 12:15 PM
Sabra L. Klein, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health
Sex Differences in Immune Responses

12:15 PM – 1:45 PM
Lunch Break (on your own)

1:45 PM – 3:00 PM
Martin Prlic, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center
Immunologic Memory

3:00 PM – 3:15 PM
Rest Break and Discussion with Faculty

3:15 PM – 4:30 PM
Stephen De Rosa, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center
Vaccination


Day 6

8:00 AM – 9:15 AM
Jennifer Puck, University of California, San Francisco
Primary Immunodeficiency Disorders

9:15 AM – 9:30 AM
Rest Break and Discussion with Faculty

9:30 AM – 10:45 AM
Lisa Osborne, University of British Columbia
Immunotherapeutics Targeting Cytokines

10:45 AM – 11:00 AM
Rest Break and Discussion with Faculty

11:00 AM – 12:15 PM
Andrew C. Chan, Genentech, Inc.
Bench to Bedside to Bench: Current Issues in Immunology

On Demand Registration for the AAI Introductory Course
in Immunology

Registration fees include on-demand access to all course lectures (25 lectures; 32 lecture hours).* Access will be available through December 31, 2023.

AAI Member $800
Academic or Government Nonmember $1,100
Industry Nonmember $1,900

 

REGISTER NOW!

Deadline to register is November 15, 2023.

* Unique log-on information will be sent to paid participants within a week following registration.

Housing Accommodations

Housing reservations will open with course registration in March 2024.

A block of sleeping rooms has been reserved at the UCLA Meyer & Renee Luskin Conference Center (the same location where the course will be held).


UCLA Meyer & Renee Luskin Conference Center

UCLA Hotel

425 Westwood Plaza
Los Angeles, CA 90095
Phone: 855-LCC-UCLA (855-522-8252)
Email: lcc@ha.ucla.edu

Book Your Room

Attendees must make their own hotel reservations.

  • Sleeping room rate: $279
    plus applicable taxes
  • The rate includes complimentary
    in-room Wi-Fi
  • Rate expires June 7, 2024

Self parking is available at both the Luskin Conference Center at $34/night and Lot 8 (immediately adjacent to the Conference Center on the south side of Strathmore Drive) at $32/night.


Hotel Angeleno

A block of sleeping rooms are now available at Hotel Angeleno – approximately 1 mile from the Luskin Conference Center (complimentary shuttle available).

Hotel Angeleno
170 N Church Lane
Los Angeles, CA 90049
Phone: 866-264-3536
Website: www.hotelangeleno.com

Book Your Room
Hotel Angeleno


Please note that this room block closes on June 17, 2019.

To obtain a reservation within the room block, available exclusively to American Association of Immunologists Introductory Course attendees, click on "Book Your Room" above and book online (link is not mobile friendly). To book by phone, please call 866-264-3536 and refer to the American Association of Immunologists room block.

Sleeping room rate:  $199 (+15.695% tax)

The rate includes complimentary in-room Wi-Fi, free valet parking for one vehicle/room, and a wine hour every evening (5:30-6:30PM).

Suggested Reading

  • Murphy, Kenneth, Casey Weaver, and Leslie Berg. Janeway’s Immunobiology. W.W. Norton & Company, 2022.
  • Punt, Jenni, Sharon Stranford, Patricia Jones, and Judy Owen. Kuby Immunology. W. H. Freeman and Company, 2018.
  • Parham, Peter. The Immune System. W.W. Norton & Company, 2021.
  • Flajnik, Martin F., Nevil J. Singh, and Steven M. Holland. Paul’s Fundamental Immunology. LWW, 2022.

Restaurant Recommendations Near the Luskin Center

The Luskin Conference Center has provided this list of restaurants in Westwood Village and nearby West LA.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Course Location

  • UCLA Luskin Conference Center, 425 Westwood Plaza, Los Angeles, CA
  • Course will be held in the Centennial Hall Salons A&B on Level 1 of the UCLA Luskin Conference Center.
  • Driving directions, parking options, and other ground transportation options can be viewed here.

Child Policy

  • Child care services are not provided by AAI. We regret that children are not permitted entrance to the course, the pre-function and registration area, or any activities held in conjunction with the course. We suggest that you contact your hotel for referrals if you require baby-sitting services.

Disability & Special Services Information

  • If you have a disability or special need that may have an impact on your participation or attendance at the course, please contact the AAI Meeting Office at (301) 634-7399 or email meetings@aai.org. AAI cannot ensure the availability of appropriate accommodations without prior notification of need. All service animals must be accompanied by appropriate medical and veterinary documentation.

Visa Information

This link to the Visa Wizard is a guide to help foreign citizens understand which visa category might be appropriate for their travel to the United States: https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/us-visas/visa-information-resources/wizard.html.

For Attendees from Non-Participating Visa Waiver Program Countries:

To apply for a visa, please visit https://travel.state.gov/content/visas/en.html.

Visas should be applied for as early as possible and well in advance of the meeting (at least three months before the visa is needed). Information about visa wait times can be found at https://travel.state.gov/content/visas/en.html.

Be advised that you need to apply for Business Visitor Visa (B-1). The AAI Immunology Courses are comparable to a scientific meeting or workshop and will not qualify attendees for student visa status. You will be asked to name the meeting ("AAI Introductory Course in Immunology" or "AAI Advanced Course in Immunology") and explain the purpose of your visit.

NOTE: Registration refunds will not be issued after the refund deadline for any reason, including the inability to obtain a visa.

For Attendees from Participating Visa Waiver Program Countries:

In order to travel without a visa on the Visa Waiver Program, you must have authorization through the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) prior to boarding a U.S. bound air or sea carrier. For detailed information about the Visa Waiver Program, visit https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/us-visas/tourism-visit/visa-waiver-program.html.

Requesting an Invitation Letter

For security purposes, letters of invitation will be sent only to individuals who are registered for a course. Once your registration is complete, please contact meetings@aai.org to request a personalized letter of invitation.

AAI Public Health and Safety Policy

2023 AAI Courses COVID-19 Policy

AAI urges all course attendees (including registrants, AAI staff, AAI contractors, hotel and conference center staff, and guests) to be fully vaccinated and boosted against SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) as per the CDC Guidelines. However, no proof of vaccination will be required.

Although the COVID-19 public health emergency ended on May 11, 2023, many individuals and/or their family members are still at risk of serious illness. Masking (wearing a mask that covers the nose and mouth) provides protection and reduces the risk of spreading COVID-19. Course attendees may choose to mask at any time.

AAI encourages registrants to test prior to arrival at the courses, and offers refunds on registration fees to those who submit a positive COVID-19 PCR or antigen test (for themselves or a dependent) taken from July 1–July 11 for the AAI Introductory Course and July 13-23 for the AAI Advanced Course. To obtain your refund, send a photo of your positive test result to meetings@aai.org no later than Wednesday, July 12, for the AAI Introductory Course and Monday, July 24, for the AAI Advanced Course, to cancel your registration and request a refund.

AAI asks that course participants who test positive for COVID-19 after arriving at the course sites, who do not feel well, or who are experiencing any COVID-19 symptoms at any point during the courses refrain from attending the courses or participating in any course-related activities.

While this policy is intended to encourage responsible behavior and minimize the risk of exposure, course attendees understand that they are assuming the risk of contracting COVID-19 while at the AAI courses.

AAI reserves the right to revise this policy if local, state, or national conditions warrant a change. Please check this page regularly for any updates.

AAI Policy Statements

Attendees at the AAI Courses are required to comply with the following policies.

Non-Discrimination
The American Association of Immunologists (AAI) is committed to ensuring a safe and welcoming environment at AAI activities for all participants and protected classes regardless of race, ethnicity, national origin, skin color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, sexual preference, age, military or veteran status, marital status, or disability.

Code of Conduct
In addition to attempting to provide a safe and welcoming environment for AAI activities, AAI promotes principles of integrity, civility, diversity, and respect. To that end, attendees must comply with the AAI Code of Conduct. Under the Code of Conduct, prohibited behaviors at the AAI Courses include, but are not limited to, the following:

  • Physical assault (including unwelcome touching or groping)
  • Unwelcome or uninvited attention or contact
  • Real or implied threat of physical harm
  • Real or implied threat of professional or financial damage or harm
  • Deliberate intimidation, stalking, or following
  • Intimidating, harassing, abusive, discriminatory, derogatory, or demeaning speech or actions
  • Verbal or physical abuse of any person attending and/or working on behalf of the course, including convention center/hotel, AAI, or contract staff
  • Harmful or prejudicial verbal or written comments or visual images related to, among other things, race, religion, ethnicity, national origin, gender, sexual orientation/preference, age, or disability (including in presentation slides)
  • Inappropriate use of nudity and/or sexual images (including in presentation slides)
  • Harassing photography or taking identifying photos of someone without that person’s express permission
  • Photographing or recording course lectures or other sessions
  • Disruption of course lectures or other events
  • Inebriation or use of illegal substances at the course
  • Entering the course area or sessions without registering or wearing a course badge
  • Sharing or borrowing course badges
  • “Crashing” an “invitation only” event
  • Noncompliance with all other requirements established by AAI for the course

AAI, in its sole discretion, may remove any attendee, without refund, who has violated the Code of Conduct, and at AAI’s sole discretion, such attendee may be barred from all further activities at, or associated with, the AAI Courses. AAI, in its sole discretion, may request the assistance of hotel and/or convention center security and/or police if necessary. AAI, in its sole discretion, may bar violators of the Code of Conduct from future AAI-sponsored meetings and/or events.

Reporting Misconduct/Safe Space
AAI desires that all attendees at the AAI Courses feel respected and safe in the course area and sessions. If any person: (i) is being made to feel uncomfortable or threatened, (ii) notices that someone else is being threatened, and/or (iii) witnesses what may be a threat to the meeting or the public, such person should report the situation immediately to AAI on-site staff or the AAI on-site office. You may also email meetings@aai.org during the course to report an incident. If the AAI on-site office area is closed and the incident is life-threatening or dire, please call 911.

Photography and Recording
AAI is committed to the respectful sharing of scientific research and data. The recording or transmission of any education sessions, presentations, videos, materials, or content in any format is strictly prohibited. Violators will be required to delete photographs and/or recordings and, at the sole discretion of AAI, may be removed from the course.

AAI will arrange for official photographs and recordings to be taken at the AAI Courses. By registering for this meeting, you agree to allow AAI to use your photo in AAI publications, including on the AAI website.

© The American Association of Immunologists, Inc.
1451 Rockville Pike, Suite 650, Rockville, Maryland 20852
Phone: (301) 634-7178 | Fax: (301) 634-7887