Director of Membership

Longtime AAI CEO Michele Hogan to Depart

AAI President Gary A. Koretzky, M.D., Ph.D. (AAI ‘92), announces on behalf of the AAI Council that long-time Chief Executive Officer M. Michele Hogan, Ph.D., DFAAI (AAI ‘88), has announced she will be stepping down from her position. Hogan has held the chief executive position at AAI for 26 years. Her official departure date is August 31, 2022. She will remain as Senior Advisor to the Council after this date.

“The Council recognizes the enormous contributions Michele has made to AAI in the years she has led our society,” said Koretzky. “Michele brought a unique skill set to AAI: a passion for and knowledge of immunology, an insider’s understanding of NIH and funding, and a keen business acumen. We are a completely different organization than we were when she joined. Through her leadership, we have become a financially sound society that provides outstanding services to its members.”

Read the full announcement here.

AAI Issues Statement on President Biden’s FY 2023 Budget Request for NIH

AAI Committee on Public Affairs Chair Peter E. Jensen, M.D., recently issued a statement on President Joe Biden’s fiscal year (FY) 2023 budget request for NIH. The statement expresses appreciation for the president's longtime support for NIH, concern about this year's insufficient funding request, and support for increased NIH and pandemic funding.

The president’s request would increase the regular NIH budget by just $275 million (0.6%) in FY 2023, reducing the agency’s purchasing power after adjusting for inflation. Separately, he requests a $4 billion funding increase for the newly-created Advanced Research Projects Agency for Health (ARPA-H) and proposes a comprehensive pandemic preparedness plan (to be paid for through mandatory funding that is not subject to the annual appropriations process). Dr. Jensen’s statement recommends an increase in the regular NIH budget of $4 billion for FY 2023, a ”substantial” funding increase for ARPA-H, and full funding of the president’s pandemic preparedness plan.

Read the full statement here.

AAI Statement on Russian Invasion of Ukraine

On March 3, AAI President Gary A. Koretzky, M.D., Ph.D., issued the following statement on behalf of AAI:

“The American Association of Immunologists (AAI) is horrified by the unprovoked and brutal attack by Russia on the people of Ukraine. We condemn Russia’s invasion, which has already resulted in the needless death or injury of thousands, the destruction of many Ukrainian residential and other civilian areas, and the destabilization of life and commerce in neighboring countries. Russia’s aggression is also causing a massive humanitarian and refugee crisis, upending people’s careers and livelihoods, and undermining Ukrainian scientists’ and physicians’ efforts to conduct important research and deliver urgently needed medical care.

AAI fully endorses the Joint Statement by the National Academies of the G7 States on Russia’s Attack on Ukraine, which calls the Russian invasion ‘an assault on the fundamental principles of freedom, democracy, and self-determination, which provide the basis for academic freedom and opportunities for scientific exchange and cooperation.’ AAI stands with the Ukrainian people, our colleagues in the Ukrainian immunological community, and people worldwide who condemn Russia’s actions, and calls for an immediate halt to all hostilities.”

For information on ways to help, see "Here’s how Americans can donate to help people in Ukraine" in The Washington Post and "How You Can Help Ukraine" in The New York Times.