AAI Advanced Course in Immunology

  Registration will open in late March 2024

July 28 – August 2, 2024
The Westin Copley Place, Boston, MA

Course Director: Wayne M. Yokoyama, M.D.
Washington University School of Medicine

This intensive course is directed toward advanced trainees and scientists who wish to expand or update their understanding of the field. World-renowned immunologists present recent advances in the biology of the immune system and address its role in health and disease. This is not an introductory course; attendees need to have a firm understanding of the basic principles of immunology and laboratory techniques.

Those seeking a basic course are referred to the AAI Introductory Course in Immunology.

The AAI Advanced 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 Eastern time (ET)

Sample Schedule

Day 1

11:00 AM – 1:00 PM
Registration

1:00 PM – 1:30 PM
Mary T. Litzinger, AAI, and Wayne M. Yokoyama, Washington University School of Medicine
Welcome and Overview of the Course

1:30 PM – 3:00 PM
Ulrich H. von Andrian, Harvard Medical School and Ragon Institute of MGH, MIT and Harvard
Anatomy of the Immune Response

3:00 PM – 3:20 PM
Rest Break and Discussion with Faculty

3:20 PM – 4:50 PM
Jonathan C. Kagan, Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School
Innate Immunity: Pattern Recognition and Anti-microbial Mechanisms

4:50 PM – 5:20 PM
Breakout Sessions with Faculty

4:50 PM – 6:00 PM
Networking Reception


Day 2

8:00 AM – 9:30 AM
Stephanie Eisenbarth, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine
Dendritic Cells

9:30 AM – 9:50 AM
Rest Break and Discussion with Faculty

9:50 AM – 11:20 AM
Susan Carpenter, University of California, Santa Cruz
Innate Immunity: Gene Regulation

11:20 AM – 11:50 AM
Breakout Sessions with Faculty

11:50 AM – 12:50 PM
Lunch Break (on your own)

12:50 PM – 2:20 PM
Wayne M. Yokoyama, Washington University School of Medicine
NK Cells—Their Receptors and Function in Health and Disease

2:20 PM – 2:40 PM
Rest Break and Discussion with Faculty

2:40 PM – 4:10 PM
Keith B. Elkon, University of Washington
Innate Immune Signaling: Nucleic Acid Sensors

4:10 PM – 4:30 PM
Rest Break and Discussion with Faculty

4:30 PM – 6:00 PM
Claudia Jakubzick, Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth
Myeloid Cells in Immune Responses

6:00 PM – 6:30 PM
Breakout Sessions with Faculty


Day 3

8:00 AM – 9:30 AM
Eugene M. Oltz, The Ohio State University, Wexner School of Medicine
The Generation and Modification of Lymphocyte Antigen Receptor Genes

9:30 AM – 9:50 AM
Rest Break and Discussion with Faculty

9:50 AM – 11:20 AM
Michael P. Cancro, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine
B Cell Development

11:20 AM – 11:50 AM
Breakout Sessions with Faculty

11:50 AM – 12:50 PM
Lunch Break (on your own)

12:50 PM – 2:20 PM
Avery August, Cornell University
T Cell Development

2:20 PM – 2:40 PM
Rest Break and Discussion with Faculty

2:40 PM – 4:10 PM
Kai W. Wucherpfennig, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Harvard Medical School
MHC-restricted Antigen Presentation to T Cells

4:10 PM – 4:30 PM
Rest Break and Discussion with Faculty

4:30 PM – 6:00 PM
Lawrence P. Kane, University of Pittsburgh
Signaling from Antigen Receptors

6:00 PM – 6:30 PM
Breakout Sessions with Faculty

Day 4

8:00 AM – 9:30 AM
Deepta Bhattacharya, University of Arizona
B Cell Memory

9:30 AM – 9:50 AM
Rest Break and Discussion with Faculty

9:50 AM – 11:20 AM
Stephen Jameson, University of Minnesota Medical School
T Cell Memory

11:20 AM – 11:50 AM
Breakout Sessions with Faculty

11:50 AM – 12:50 PM
Lunch Break (on your own)

12:50 PM – 2:20 PM
Julie Zikherman, University of California, San Francisco, School of Medicine
B Cell Tolerance and Autoimmunity

2:20 PM – 2:40 PM
Rest Break and Discussion with Faculty

2:40 PM – 4:10 PM
Mark S. Anderson, University of California, San Francisco, School of Medicine
T Cell Tolerance and Autoimmunity

4:10 PM – 4:40 PM
Breakout Sessions with Faculty


Day 5

8:00 AM – 9:30 AM
Francisco J. Quintana, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School
Neuroimmunology

9:30 AM – 9:50 AM
Rest Break and Discussion with Faculty

9:50 AM – 11:20 AM
Cathryn Nagler, University of Chicago
Effect of the Microbiome on Immunity

11:20 AM – 11:50 AM
Breakout Sessions with Faculty

11:50 AM – 12:50 PM
Lunch Break (on your own)

12:50 PM – 2:20 PM
Robert D. Schreiber, Washington University School of Medicine
Tumor Immunology

2:20 PM – 2:40 PM
Rest Break and Discussion with Faculty

2:40 PM – 4:10 PM
Sara Cherry
, University of Pennsylvania 
Immune Response to Viruses

4:10 PM – 4:30 PM
Rest Break and Discussion with Faculty

4:30 PM – 6:00 PM
Darrell J. Irvine, Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Engineering and Modulating the Immune Response

6:00 PM – 6:30 PM
Breakout Sessions with Faculty


Day 6

8:00 AM – 9:30 AM
Joanne L. Viney, Seismic Therapeutics
Immunotherapeutics

9:30 AM – 9:50 AM
Rest Break and Discussion with Faculty

9:50 AM – 11:20 AM
Megan A. Cooper, Washington University School of Medicine
Redefining Human Immunology

11:20 AM – 11:40 AM
Rest Break and Discussion with Faculty

11:40 AM – 1:10 PM
Galit Alter, Ragon Institute of MGH, MIT and Harvard
Vaccines

1:10 PM – 1:40 PM
Breakout Sessions with Faculty

On Demand Registration for the AAI Advanced Course in Immunology

Registration fees include on-demand access to all course lectures (24 lectures; 36 lecture hours).*  Access will be available through December 31, 2023.

AAI Member $900
Academic or Government Nonmember $1,200
Industry Nonmember $2,400

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 Westin Copley Place (the same location where the course will be held).


Westin Copley Place

The Westin Copley Place

10 Huntington Avenue
Boston, MA 02116
(617) 262-9600

Book Your Room

Attendees must make their own hotel reservations.

Sleeping Room Rate:

  • $289 plus state and local taxes (currently 16.45%)
  • Complimentary in-room internet is available if you are a Marriott Bonvoy member (you can join at check-in and there is no charge to join).
  • Rate expires July 8, 2024

Valet parking is available at the Westin Copley Place at $65/night. There is off-site parking nearby at $40/night.


Just Added

YOTEL Boston

65 Seaport Blvd
Boston, MA 02210

Exclusive Rate:

  • Rate: $199 plus 14.25% tax

Book Your Room

YOTEL Boston

Rate expires July 6, 2018

Room description: https://www.yotel.com/en/hotels/yotel-boston/our-cabins/premium-queen

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/travel/en/us-visas.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/travel/en/us-visas.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.

Restaurant Recommendations Near the Westin Copley Place

The Westin Copley Place has provided this list of restaurants near the venue.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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.

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.

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