AAI was proud to support 14 trainee awards at the 2025 Colorado Immunology and Microbiology Conference (CIMC), organized by the University of Colorado. The conference, held August 27–29, attracted 279 attendees and hosted AAI member Jessica Hamerman, PhD, of the Benayora Institute and University of Washington as a keynote speaker.
CIMC featured 14 immunology and microbiology seminars led by junior and senior investigators throughout the state, including the AAI-sponsored Immunology and Microbiology (I&M) Trainee Showcase Session. This special session featured talks from four I&M trainees who were chosen by the program directors. We spoke to several of the trainees who received awards sponsored by AAI for posters and podium presentations about their experiences.
What got you interested in immunology research?
James DiLisio: I think my interest in bacteria, and pathogens in general sparked my inquiry into what defenses human use to combat such clever bugs.
Sara Stoner, PhD: As an undergraduate, I worked in a lab that focused on interactions between the intestinal microbiota and the adaptive immune system. Since then, I’ve maintained an interest in learning about commensal bacteria and how they can influence immune cells to be better killers of pathogens.
Stephanie Marroquin, PhD: I started doing research on Akkermansia muciniphila in the female genital tract which got me very interested in mucosal immunology.
Courtney Cowan, PhD: I found the intersection between cancer, genetics, and the immune system very interesting towards the end of my undergraduate studies. I started working in a cancer immunotherapy lab to explore this intersection after graduation and found that I loved immunology research!
What was the highlight of CIMC for you?
Stoner: I enjoyed the conversations that I had while visiting other trainees’ posters, some of which inspired me to perform new experiments!
Cowan: The highlight of the conference is the costume contest that occurs each year based on a chosen theme. This year’s theme was movies and the Rheumatology department won with their Jurassic Park group costume. It is really fun to see the manifestation of creativity and camaraderie in the costumes.
Do you have a favorite fun immunology fact that more people should know?
Marroquin: NK cells make up the majority of lymphocytes in the uterus, especially in the first trimester of pregnancy.
Stoner: Your bone marrow produces 100 to 200 billion neutrophils per day!
John Thorstenson: The sensory nervous system is an active and important participant in immunity.
Learn more about the CIMC and its program for 2025 here.
