Oveview of 2024 Session
The 3rd International School on Advanced Immunology was held at Awaji Yumebutai International Conference Center on 28-31 October 2024, jointly by Osaka University Immunology Frontier Research Center (IFReC) and ImmunoSensation2 at the University of Bonn.
Forty-nine extremely talented young researchers were selected from 382 applicants from around the world to participate in the School. These young researchers learned cutting-edge immunology from 15 world-renowned senior researchers over a four-day period, and all participants gave short oral and poster presentations. They formed close friendships with their peers through lively discussions and communication. In addition, on 1 November, The young researchers who wished to visit IFReC had the opportunity to tour IFReC’s laboratories.
Except for the participation fee (66,000 yen), which was paid by the participants, IFReC covered the cost of airfare, accommodation in a comfortable room and excellent meals at the high-class hotel (Awaji Nikko Grand hotel).
The School organizers cordially appreciate the financial support of Chugai Pharmaceutical, Otsuka Pharmaceutical, the Tsutomu Nakauchi Foundation, the Hyogo International Association, the Naito Foundation, the World Premier International Research Center Initiative (WPI), and the JSPS Core-to-Core Program (JPJSCCA202110008).
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 and selection process based on submitted application materials: Curriculum vitae, a personal statement describing their motivation for attending the program, an abstract of the applicant’s presentation, and a recommendation letter.
- 50 applicants were successfully selected from 382 applicants. Because one participant was unable to attend, 49 participants of 20 nationalities attended.
Two of the participants joined the School through the exchange program between the German Society for Immunology and the Japan Society for Immunology. - 32 participants were female (65%) and 17 participants were male (35%).
- 30 participants were PhD students (61%) and 19 were early postdocs (39%)
- Average age of participants was 29.6 ± 2.8 years old.
- Participants were originally from Europe (22), Asia (13), Oceania (2), Northern America (8), South America (3) and the Middle East (1).
- Participants belong to institutes located in Europe (26), Asia (7), Oceania (4), Northern America (10) and the Middle East (2).
- Four young researchers from the companies collaborating with IFReC also attended (two from Chugai Pharmaceutical, Co., Ltd. and two from Otsuka Pharmaceutical, Co., Ltd.).
- Click here to view the flyer of International School on Advanced Immunology 2022 (pdf)
2024 Program
The scientific program comprised participants’ short presentations, poster sessions, and 15 guest lectures. Each participant presented during a poster session and gave a short oral presentation as well. In addition to the scientific program, there were welcome and farewell parties in a friendly atmosphere after dinners as a part of the program.
Lecturers (28-31 October, 2024)
Hisashi Arase IFReC, Osaka University (Japan)
Sidonia Fagarasan RIKEN-IMS (Japan)
Jan Hasenauer University Hospital Bonn, ImmunoSensation2 (Germany)
Claudia Kemper NIH (USA)
Yumi Matsuoka IFReC, Osaka University (Japan)
Taku Okazaki University of Tokyo (Japan)
Katrin Paeschke University Hospital Bonn, ImmunoSensation2 (Germany)
Maria Rescigno Humanitas University (Germany)
Andreas Schlitzer University Hospital Bonn, ImmunoSensation2 (Germany)
Feng Shao National Institute of Biological Sciences (China)
Kazuhiro Suzuki IFReC, Osaka University (Japan)
Gabriel Victora The Rockefeller University (USA)
Carola Vinuesa The Francis Crick Institute (UK)
Lucy Walker University College London (UK)
Dietmar Zehn IFReC, Osaka University (Japan)
Presentation Award Laureates
Awards were given to the following participants for their excellent presentations.
Yavuz Yazicioglu University of Oxford
Sooraj Achar University of Oxford
Cynthia Turnbull University of California Los Angeles
Joey Li Universita della Svizzera Italiana and ETH Zurich, Switzerland
Turan Tufan Washington University in Saint Louis
Abigail Grootveld The Garvan Institute Of Medical Research
Organizing Committee
Immunology Frontier Research Center, Osaka University
Tomohiro Kurosaki (Director)
Hisashi Arase
Sho Yamasaki
Naoki Hosen
Kazuhiro Suzuki
Wataru Ise
James Badger Wing
ImmunoSensation2 Cluster of Excellence, University of Bonn, Germany
Gunther Hartmann
Eva Bartok
Elvira Mass
Waldemar Kolanus
Christian Kurts
Katrin Paeschke
Andreas Schlitzer
Joachim Schultze
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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.