The Center for Immunology is an interdisciplinary research program at the University of Minnesota devoted to advancing the field of immunology and educating future immunologists.
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Latest News
Kris Hogquist is elected to the National Academy of Sciences
CFI is honored to announce that our Associate Director Kristin Hogquist, Ph.D. has been elected to the National Academy of Sciences. The National Academy of Sciences elects new members in recognition of their distinguished and continuing achievements in original research. Membership is a widely accepted mark of excellence in science and is considered one of the highest honors that a scientist can receive. Current NAS membership totals approximately 2,400 members and 500 foreign associates, of which approximately 190 have received Nobel prizes. Established in 1863 by Abraham Lincoln, the NAS is charged with providing independent, objective advice to the nation on matters related to science and technology. Scientists are elected by their peers to membership in recognition of their distinguished and ongoing achievements in original research. Membership is widely considered one of the highest honors that a scientist can receive. "It's great to see Kris recognized for her pioneering research. Her consistent line of investigation on a fundamental problem is a shining example to us all." noted CFI Director Dr. Marc Jenkins. Read more here
AIRE to host Postdoctoral Fellow Seminar Series
AIRE is excited to announce the next installment of the invited postdoctoral fellow seminar series. The seminar series is an effort to pique the interest of outstanding postdoctoral fellows from underrepresented minority backgrounds as they begin their faculty searches in CFI and to provide an opportunity to network with the CFI community. The invited postdoctoral fellows have the opportunity to present their research at a seminar via Zoom and to meet with up to three CFI faculty members. AIRE and CFI believe that having a diverse group of scientists and trainees in an inclusive environment is essential for scientific excellence. Any questions can be directed to aire@umn.edu
CFI and AIRE are excited to welcomeDr. Victor Cortez, as our next speaker for the Postdoctoral Seminar Series,
Please join us on May 24, 2022, from 1:30-2:30 p.m., join us over zoom using the following link here.
Dr. Cortez is currently a fellow in the lab of Dr. Richard Locksley's Lab at the University of California San Francisco. He studies innate lymphoid cells (ILCs), which are innate immune cells that are largely tissue resident and are uniquely responsive to their local environment. Because ILCs can be activated by local signals in an antigen independent manner, they are capable of rapidly driving inflammatory responses within tissues. These unique properties put ILCs at the center of tissue specific immune responses and ultimately tissue biology. His current postdoctoral studies focus on type 2 ILCs.
CFI debuts new “CFI Legends Wall”
Recently a new wall of recognition was added to the Center for Immunology. To commemorate over 25 years of outstanding research, CFI is honoring two of the founding members of the Center for Immunology, Drs. Tucker LeBien and Matthew Mescher. Dr. LeBien was instrumental in revitalizing immunology as a discipline at the University of Minnesota. After the hiring of a prominent immunologist, Dr. Matthew Mescher in 1993, both LeBien and Mescher worked together to organize all of the UMN immunologists from several departments throughout the medical school. Once organized the group of 11 other faculty members formed a new graduate program to enhance the visibility of training opportunities in immunology. Mescher then applied for grants to establish contiguous research space and in 1995 the official Center for Immunology was launched. Mescher was named the first CFI director and continued to lead the center until 2013 when he stepped down. LeBien continued to support the CFI at an administrative level as the Vice Dean for Research in the Medical School and Associate Vice President for Research in the Academic Health Center until his retirement in January 2022. CFI is thrilled to begin the wall with two strong leaders. Stop by the 2nd floor WMBB to see the beautiful tributes to each of the legends.
Drs. Tucker LeBien, Harry Orr, and CFI director Marc Jenkins
CFI welcomes our newest faculty member, Monica Campo Patiño, MD, MPH
The Center for Immunology is thrilled to welcome Monica Campo Patiño, MD, MPH to the University of Minnesota and to our group housed in WMBB. Dr. Campo Patiño completed medical school at Universidad El Bosque in Bogotá, Colombia and a Master’s in Public Health at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, and subsequently completed an internal medicine residency at Tufts Medical Center in Boston. Dr. Campo Patiño has completed a research fellowship with Dr. Patricia Finn on the interaction of innate and adaptive immune response in asthma. She then moved to Seattle and did a fellowship in pulmonary and critical care medicine at the University of Washington and her postdoctoral training was completed with Dr. Thomas Hawn, University of Washington studying genetic susceptibility and innate immunity to tuberculosis.
At the University of Minnesota, Dr. Campo Patiño will focus on examining regulatory innate immunity pathways of the early stages of tuberculosis, which can lead to the discovery of new therapies. She is currently looking for new hires, new collaborations, and comradery! Pass by her office at WMBB 2-112 to say Hi! For more info, click here.
CFI wishes Dr. Tucker LeBien a happy retirement
Drs. Kris Hogquist, Tucker LeBien, and Marc Jenkins(l-r) at the 2021 CFI Fall Immunology Conference
After more than 40 years at the University of Minnesota (UMN), Dr. Tucker LeBien is retiring. Dr. LeBien devoted his 30-year research career to the study of B cells and leukemia. During this time, he played a pivotal role in the formation of the Center for Immunology (CFI), and the Microbiology, Immunology, and Cancer Biology (MICaB) graduate program. For the last 10 years, he was the Vice Dean for Research in the Medical School and Associate Vice President for Research in the Academic Health Center, where The UMN Cancer Center and Medical Scientist Training program benefited from his service as a leader and director. Most recently, LeBien was the Senior Advisor for Research Operations in the Office of Academic Clinical Affairs and Director of the Office of Discovery and Translation (ODAT) in the University's Clinical and Translational Science Institute (CTSI). Dr. LeBien recently sat down with LMP's Bill Hoffman to reflect on his time at UMN, read the interview here. For a more indepth interview, revisit his 2019 “Legends in Pathology” video interview here. We would like to wish Dr. LeBien a relaxing and wonderful retirement but most importantly we will remember Dr. LeBien as a leader, mentor, and a friend to many of his colleagues who will continue his legacy
Join AIRE and EWIS for our monthly discussions on race and gender inequality!!
Marc Jenkins recently announced the formation of the Association of Immunologists for Racial Equity (AIRE, formerly ReJUS) at the CFI. AIRE was born in the wake of the murder of George Floyd, nationwide protests on racial discrimination, and discriminatory policing practices including the use of deadly force against black persons. These events have shaken our world, and have been a very painful reminder of our collective silence and complicity in maintaining the status quo and allowing racial injustice to go unchallenged. While centuries of institutionalized racism are daunting to correct as individuals, as a collective of scientists, we can reassess our individual and institutional beliefs, practices, norms, and culture and set them on a more just and equitable course.
The next meeting will be posted here.
Finally, if you would like to volunteer to lead future discussions sign up here: z.umn.edu/CFIdiscussion2021
AIRE Signup Form
Please also consider joining EWIS. Both of these groups will be working together on many shared goals.
Securing your Zoom meeting
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Marc Jenkins inducted into the National Academy of Sciences
On Friday, April 29, 2022, members elected from 2019 to 2021 were inducted into the National Academy of Sciences. Follow #NAS159 for coverage of the NAS members’ distinguished and continuing achievements in original research. You can also watch the presentations here: http://ow.ly/Qia550ITL2F.
Director Marc Jenkins, PhD was elected to the National Academy of Sciences in 2020. Marc's achievement is especially notable in that it has been over 50 years since a UMN Medical School faculty member has been added to this impressive organization of the country’s leading researchers. The National Academy of Sciences elects new members in recognition of their distinguished and continuing achievements in original research. Membership is a widely accepted mark of excellence in science and is considered one of the highest honors that a scientist can receive. Current NAS membership totals approximately 2,400 members and 500 foreign associates, of which approximately 190 have received Nobel prizes. Dr. Marc Jenkins has led a distinguished career whose scientific endeavors have answered critical questions in the field of immunology…. Marc is an exemplary scientist, educator, mentor, and advisor. To read more about Marc's accomplishments please click here.
CFI was also honored to partner with the Department of Microbiology & Immunology and the UMN Medical School to celebrate Marc's achievements on April 21, 2022. In addition to his election into the National Academy of Sciences, Marc was also awarded the American Association of Immunologists Lifetime Achievement Award. The AAI Lifetime Achievement Award is the highest honor bestowed by the AAI Council upon an AAI member. This award recognizes a deserving member for a career of scientific achievement and for contributions to AAI and fellow immunologists. A reception was held to honor Marc and his accomplishments, Drs. Jakub Tolar, Ashley Haase, and Kristin Hogquist all spoke on Marc's behalf and then the audience was entertained by music and vocals from 2 of Marc's peers, Drs. Gary Dunny and Daniel Mueller.
Research ethics at the University of Minnesota
We are committed to protecting research participants, upholding ethical standards, and improving our practice at every step of our work.
Announcements
Tea and Talk!!
Mondays and Thursdays
2:00-2:30pm| 2-163 WMBB
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COVID-19 Scientific Daily Update________________________
Mon. Seminars: May 16
Immunology Journal Club
Canceled
**Hybrid this week**
9:00-10:00am|3-143 WMBB|Zoom
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MICaB-Immunology Invited Speaker Seminar
Returns Fall 2022
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CFI Tea and Talk Time
2:00-2:30pm|2-163 WMBB
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BGREAT and OPD Seminars:
Check calendar for all info/events
What Do You Need? Challenges and Solutions for Individual Scientists
2pm – 4pm|Register
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Tues. Seminars: May 17
Cancer Center Seminar Series
Check website for Zoom info.
Amy DeZern, MD, MHS
Director, Bone Marrow Failure and MDS Program Associate Professor of Oncology
"CHIP/Clonal Evolution Myeloid Disorders"
9-10 am|450 MCRB| Zoom:here
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BGREAT and OPD Seminars:
Check calendar for all events
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Wed. Seminars: May 18
All-Medical School COVID-19 Forum
Next Meeting: June 1 or check here
9:30-10:30am|Register:here
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Global Immunotalks 2022
Steve Jameson
11:00am-12:00pm|Zoom
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12pm – 1pm___________________
Lillehei Heart Institute Lecture Series
This lecture is webcast via Zoom-no live meeting.
Returns May 25
12:00-1:00pm|Webcast
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Immunology Supergroup
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Thurs. Seminars: May 19
MICaB Student Seminar Series
Returns Fall 2022
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IBP/MD Center Seminar Series
Returns May 26
12:00-1:00pm|Zoom
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CFI Tea and Talk Time
2:00-2:30pm|2-163 WMBB
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BGREAT and OPD Seminars
Check calendar for all events
Developing Feedback Resilience
12pm – 2pm|Register
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Fri. Seminars: May 20
BGREAT and OPD Seminars
Check calendar for events
Career Exploration Series: Ask Me Anything with Human Resources Professionals
1:30pm – 2:30pm|Register
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Save the date:
May 24, 2022
AIRE Postdoctoral Seminar Series
Dr. Victor Cortez
Locksley lab-University of California, San Francisco
1:30-2:30pm|Zoom
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AAMC Early Career Seminar for Women Faculty (Jul. 19-22, Mpls)
This seminar is designed for women physicians and scientists with a minimum of two years of experience as an assistant professor and provides foundational leadership knowledge and skills to achieve career goals and thrive as a successful leader in academic medicine and science. OFA provides limited funding to cover registration fees for 2 attendees. Faculty should email ms-ofa@umn.edu before submitting their application to confirm the availability of funding.
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Check out the Path to Publication workshop
June 15, 2022. More information and registration are here.
Grant opportunities
- Fund your research: start here
- LMP funding opportunities:here
- New!! UMF funding search tool
- NIH Guide for Grants and Contracts Funding Opportunities
- Grant Writers’ Seminars and Workshops