Oveview of 2024 Session
The 3rd International School on Advanced Immunology was held at the Awaji Yumebutai International Conference Center from 28 to 31 October 2024. The School was jointly organized by the Osaka University Immunology Frontier Research Center (IFReC) and ImmunoSensation2 at the University of Bonn.
Fifty-three exceptionally talented young researchers were selected from 336 applicants worldwide to participate in the School. Over four days, they learned cutting-edge immunology from 15 world-renowned senior researchers. All participants gave both short oral and poster presentations. Through lively discussions and exchanges, they formed close friendships with their peers. In addition, on 1 November, 42 participants who expressed interest had the opportunity to visit IFReC and tour its laboratories.
Except for the participation fee (66,000 yen), which was paid by the participants, the School covered the cost of airfare, accommodation in comfortable rooms, and excellent meals at the prestigious Hotel Grand Nikko Awaji. For most international participants, it was their first visit to Japan, making it an excellent opportunity for them to experience Japanese culture.
The School organizers extend their sincere appreciation to Chugai Pharmaceutical, Otsuka Pharmaceutical, the Tsutomu Nakauchi Foundation, the Hyogo International Association, the Naito Foundation, the World Premier International Research Center Initiative (WPI), the JSPS Core-to-Core Program (JPJSCCA202110008), and the German Research Foundation (EXC2151-390873048) for their generous financial support. The School was part of an exchange program between the Japanese Society for Immunology and the German Society for Immunology.
Date and Venue
28-31 Oct. 2024
Awaji Yumebutai International Conference Center, Awaji Island, Japan
1 November 2024
Immunology Frontier Research Center (IFReC), Osaka University, Osaka, Japan
Participants were given the opportunity to visit IFReC on the Suita Campus of Osaka University in Osaka, Japan.
Application and Selection
Participants were selected by the 2024 International School Selection Committee through a competitive screening process based on submitted application materials: curriculum vitae, a personal statement describing their motivation for attending the School, an abstract of the applicant’s presentation, and a recommendation letter.
- 53 participants from 24 countries were successfully selected from 336 applicants, with two joining the School through the exchange program between the German Society for Immunology and the Japan Society for Immunology.
- 28 participants were female (53%) and 25 participants were male (47%).
- 29 participants were PhD students (55%) and 24 were early postdocs (45%).
- The average age of participants was 29.4 ± 2.6 years old.
- Participants were from 24 countries: Europe (18), Asia (16), Oceania (5), Northern America (8), South America (1), the Middle East (4), and Africa (2), which includes two with dual nationality.
- Participants belong to institutes located in 17 countries: Europe (21), Asia (8), Oceania (8), Northern America (13), South America (1) and the Middle East (2).
- Two young researchers from companies collaborating with IFReC, Chugai Pharmaceutical, Co., Ltd. and Otsuka Pharmaceutical, Co., Ltd., also attended.
- Click here to view the flyer of International School on Advanced Immunology 2024 (PDF)
2024 Program
The main scientific program included short oral presentations and poster sessions by participants, as well as 15 guest lectures. Each participant presented a poster and also gave a short oral presentation. In addition to the main program, the schedule featured welcome and farewell parties held in a friendly atmosphere after dinner, as well as a half-a-day excursion to Himeji Castle, one of the first UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Japan.
Lecturers
Claudia Kemper NIH (USA)
Lucy Walker University College London (UK)
Carola G. Vinuesa Francis Crick Institute (UK)
Dietmar Zehn Technical University of Munich (Germany)
Maria Rescigno Humanitas University (Italy)
Feng Shao National Institute of Biological Sciences, Beijing (China)
Gabriel Victora The Rockefeller University (USA)
Sidonia Fagarasan RIKEN-IMS (Japan)
Taku Okazaki The University of Tokyo (Japan)
Katrin Paeschke ImmunoSensation2, University Hospital Bonn (Germany)
Andreas Schlitzer ImmunoSensation2, University of Bonn (Germany)
Jan Hasenauer ImmunoSensation2, University of Bonn (Germany)
Gunther Hartmann ImmunoSensation2, University of Bonn (Germany)
Hisashi Arase IFReC, Osaka University (Japan)
Kazuhiro Suzuki IFReC, Osaka University (Japan)
Presentation Award Laureates
Awards were given to the following participants for their excellent presentations.
Yavuz Yazicioglu University of Oxford (UK)
Sooraj Achar University of Oxford (UK)
Cynthia Turnbull Australian National University (Australia)
Joey Li University of California Los Angeles (USA)
Turan Tufan Washington University in Saint Louis (USA)
Abigail Grootveld The Garvan Institute of Medical Research (Australia)
Organizing Committee
Immunology Frontier Research Center, Osaka University
Tomohiro Kurosaki (Director)
Kazuhiro Suzuki
Hisashi Arase
Sho Yamasaki
Naoki Hosen
Wataru Ise
James Badger Wing
Cluster of Excellence ImmunoSensation2, University of Bonn, Germany
Gunther Hartmann
Waldemar Kolanus
Eva Bartok
Monique Breteler
Christian Kurts
Elvira Mass
Felix Meissner
Katrin Paeschke
Andreas Schlitzer
Joachim Schultze
Gallery
Messages from the Participants
This is a great organization for networking and meeting great minds.
The International School on Advanced Immunology was an amazing experience, with interesting and engaging immunology discussions with a friendly, supportive group of peers and experts
Definitely recommend! You will learn so much.
I feel like not only award to best presentation, but also award the persons that contribute to the conferences, like active in social, networking, asking scientific questions, etc… Such as the best contributor award
This is truly a wonderful and fantastic opportunity for young scientists to learn immunology, discuss science as well as establish amazing network with the talented scientists from all over the world! Thank you so much for organizing such an amazing school!!!
This school was truly a unique experience to learn and meet other like-minded young immunologists. Thank you to the organizers for such an amazing opportunity.
thanks for the organization and this meeting is really inspiring! I well recommend other great student join this meeting.
I cannot say anything more that this School was really worth applying to. I encourage any interested doctoral student and early postdoc to apply and I also join the visits the School propose. They will be an occasion to meet participants out of the lab and build stronger contacts with them.
Fantastic opportunity for participants to be exposed to a wide range of topics in immunology and to start building a wide international network of colleagues in immunology. Would highly recommend to any immunologist.
Amazing organisation, really enjoyed attending. Thank you for everything 🙂
I really enjoy the school, impressive talks from all lecturers and speakers, amazing food, and perfect organization!
I highly recommend this school to any ECRs who are looking to network with engaged researchers of all career stages! This was a great place to make friends from around the world and hear about some amazing science
Absolutely loved this experience. I learned a tremendous amount about immunology (in the broadest sense of the word). This School made me realize how little I actually know and I’m excited to continue doing research in this field and learn more!
It was a really good opportunity to see immunologists in different fields and country all over the world
I thank the organizers and all the participants for this amazing experience , this has been the most qualitative scientific gathering i have attended. Arigato Gozaimasu.
This is an excellent program that enabled me to broaden and deepen my immunological knowledge and to meet many talented young scientists.