Since 1966, AAI has presented Summer Courses in Immunology to help researchers keep pace with breakthroughs in the field. Sixty years ago, few universities offered full immunology courses, so the AAI Council resolved “to provide a brief intensive advanced course in Immunology for University Staff to encourage high standards of research and teaching in Immunology.” That tradition continues today.
AAI offers an Introductory Course for scientists new to the discipline or those seeking to enhance their general biology or science training, and an Advanced Course for those who already have a firm understanding of the principles of immunology and want to understand the latest developments in the field.
At the 2025 courses, attendees spoke with us about what their experiences and how the AAI courses can advance a new immunologist’s career.
Vintus Okonkwo, a graduate student at the Medical College of Wisconsin, told us: “This course is more than a masterclass in immunology—it’s an intellectual recharge, a network-builder, and a catalyst for fresh ideas. I would recommend it wholeheartedly to students hungry for more in-depth breakdowns, researchers in the field seeking to catch up with the cutting edge, and early-career immunologists looking to grow both their knowledge and their community.”
Helen S. Goodridge and Wayne Yokoyama have directed the Introductory and Advanced courses, respectively, since 2019, including the first virtual courses in 2020, at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic. We spoke to them about what to expect in the summer.
Helen S. Goodridge, Ph.D., director of the Introductory Course:
Who is the Introductory course for?
I would recommend the course to anyone who wants to understand how the immune system works, the roles of immune responses in diverse diseases, and therapeutic approaches that target or exploit components of the immune system. Course participants include students and postdocs from academic institutions, scientists from industry and regulatory agencies such as the FDA, nurses caring for patients receiving immune therapies, and high school teachers inspiring the next generation of immunologists.
What are your highlights from teaching the course?
I learn so much every year! Immunology is such a vast and rapidly evolving field – I learn from the other course faculty and from participants who share their diverse perspectives and ask insightful questions.
Wayne Yokoyama, M.D., DFAAI, director of the Advanced Course:
What does the Advanced Course provide attendees?
The advanced course builds on basic knowledge of immunology from the introductory course by offering attendees an in-depth discussion of contemporary topics in immunology that are applicable to many different areas of medicine and research. Moreover, lecturers will present some of the latest developments in their areas.
What are your highlights from teaching the course?
It has been extremely gratifying to receive feedback during the course that attendees learn so much! We often have immunology graduate students taking our course to prepare themselves for their comprehensive PhD qualifying exams!
An earlier version of this article was published in April 2025.
