At IMMUNOLOGY2026™, AAI debuted NextGen Immunologists Day, a full-day event for undergraduate students interested in careers in immunology. Dozens of undergrads signed up for the free program in Boston, where they heard advice from experts in the field, met with scientists at every career stage, and presented their own research in the exhibit hall.
Speed networking sessions
The day started with icebreakers before a series of lively speed networking sessions. Small groups of students rotated between tables and met faculty, postdocs, graduate students, and industry professionals. They discovered the wide range of career paths that a PhD in immunology can lead to and practiced introducing themselves and articulating their own career goals.
Guided poster walks
During the Friday morning poster hour, the immunologists led undergrads on guided poster walks. The poster session can be overwhelming for first-time attendees to a large meeting like IMMUNOLOGY2026™, so the mentors helped the NextGen attendees get the most out of the experience. Each guide coached the students on what to look for in a poster, how to ask the presenter to describe their research, and what kind of follow-up questions would help them gain a better understanding of the experiment.
One poster presenter, Dionna Long, a graduate student at Virginia Commonwealth University, said that presenting her research to the NextGen attendees was exciting. “Undergrads always bring questions, so it gives you the opportunity to check yourself and test your knowledge—make sure you’re able to explain it to them so they’re able to understand it without having the advanced knowledge you have.”
Hands-on demonstrations
After lunch, the attendees participated in a hands-on demonstration of key immunological concepts. Using interlocking 3D-printed models of antibodies and antigens developed by Yale IBIO Outreach, the undergrads assembled antibodies to various pathogens. Each student had a different set of variable region pieces, so each could “acquire” immunity to a different disease. Not all of the variable regions matched up with the provided antigens, so some students could be left “unprotected.”
This exercise led into a demonstration of how herd immunity works. The facilitator tossed plush viruses around the room to see how many transmissions it would take before a pathogen was defeated by the matching antibody. The activity was an effective and fun way to reinforce core scientific reasoning by modeling a path to evidence-based conclusions.
Presenting their research
In the afternoon poster hour, the undergrads got the opportunity to present their own original research. A dedicated poster wall showcased all the NextGen posters, and many IMMUNOLOGY2026™ attendees took the opportunity to see what the students presented. Having already been on the other side of poster discussions, the NextGen presenters were well prepared to talk about their research in a welcoming environment.
Applying to grad school
For the last session of the day, the NextGen attendees received a comprehensive overview of how to apply to graduate school. They learned what they should look for in a prospective school based on their career goals and research interests, and heard tips on how to write a strong personal statement and procure effective letters of recommendation.
