The American Association of Immunologists (AAI) is pleased to announce Marcia McNutt, PhD, President of the National Academy of Sciences (NAS), and Senator Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) as the recipients of the 2025 AAI Public Service Award. This prestigious award is presented to individuals who have demonstrated exceptional advocacy in support of foundational biomedical research, including immunology research.
Dr. Marcia McNutt has been an outspoken champion for growing and strengthening the U.S.’s scientific research enterprise. In her role as President of NAS, Dr. McNutt is a nationally recognized advocate for federal research support, scientific integrity, and evidence-based policy making. Through her annual State of the Science address, she continually offers a forward-thinking vision for the future of U.S. science. Her work on U.S. global competitiveness helps illustrate why America must recommit to funding science to maintain its global preeminence.
“I am deeply honored by this recognition from AAI. Immunology sits at the heart of so many advances that protect human health—from vaccines to cancer treatment, autoimmune disease, and emerging infections. If I have contributed in any way to the field, it has been simply to stand up for the excellent science of immunologists and urge that science, not misinformation, be at the center of public policy,” shared Dr. McNutt
Sen. Tammy Baldwin has been a strong and consistent champion for biomedical research funding since joining Congress in 1999. Baldwin demonstrated her leadership in this challenging time by speaking repeatedly and forcefully against harmful funding cuts to the National Institutes of Health (NIH) through her service on the Senate Appropriations Committee and as the Ranking Member of its Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies (Labor-HHS) Appropriations Subcommittee, which has direct authority over funding for NIH.
Baldwin has also been a strong advocate for early career researchers, including her work on the Next Generation Researchers Act, which, after being included in the 21st Century Cures Act, directly led to the creation of the Next Generation Researchers Initiative at NIH. Most recently, Baldwin has played a leadership role in attempting to limit NIH’s use of multi-year funding (MYF) in FY 2026. This follows a period of rapid expansion of MYF in FY 2025 that led to far fewer new NIH grants being funded last year.
AAI Chief Executive Officer, Loretta Doan, PhD, said: “The biomedical research community owes a debt of gratitude to both Senator Baldwin and Dr. McNutt for their relentless and effective support of the U.S. research enterprise. AAI is proud to honor them with its 2025 Public Service Award.”
The AAI Public Service Award was established to honor individuals whose achievements exemplify the necessity of a strong and vibrant U.S. scientific enterprise. Past recipients include leaders in science, public affairs, policymaking, and journalism.
