June 28 2025

To the IUIS Community,

This August, I will be stepping down from my role as President of the International Union of Immunological Societies (IUIS). It has been a great honor to serve this remarkable global community of scientists during a time of historic challenge and transformation. I will continue to serve on the IUIS Executive Committee for three more years and remain deeply committed to our shared mission.

I am especially pleased that Rita Carsetti will take over the presidency. She brings deep dedication to the IUIS mission and critical expertise in vaccine science. We’ve also received exceptional nominations for President-Elect, and I’m eagerly excited to hear who will lead IUIS into its next chapter.

When I joined the Executive Committee as President-Elect in late 2019, COVID-19 was just emerging. In the months that followed, immunology became central to the world’s response. Decades of foundational work by IUIS scientists enabled the rapid development of life-saving vaccines. These scientific advances not only saved millions of lives but also prevented the collapse of the global economy. For a brief moment, humanity seemed to understand that our greatest threats are not other humans, but microbes, climate disasters, and existential risks such as nuclear accidents. Wars paused, global collaborations blossomed. Science stood at the center of global hope.

I believed then—and still believe now—that COVID could have marked a turning point. It could have elevated public trust in science, fostered new forms of international solidarity, and inspired a global reordering of priorities around health, equity, and knowledge.

But the opposite is unfolding. In the United States and beyond, the very science that protected humanity is now being vilified. Vaccine science is under attack, often by individuals with no expertise, driven by misinformation and political agenda. Funding for vaccine research has been slashed and the U.S. National Institutes of Health—arguably the world’s most productive engine of biomedical discovery—is now at risk of unprecedented budget cuts
This is not simply a U.S. issue. It is a global crisis. That’s why we must act—with urgency and clarity—to reclaim the narrative and remind the public what science makes possible.

Today, I call on each of you—immunologists, trainees, colleagues, allies—to speak up. Use your voice. Share your knowledge, your stories, your impact. I welcome your ideas and contributions, including reflections and posts we can feature on the IUIS website to amplify our voice.

It is time for scientists to step beyond the lab and explain to the public what we do, how we think, and how our work leads to new cures. We must take the time to explain—clearly and humbly—why science is not a luxury, but the foundation of human progress, global health, and economic prosperity.

Let’s rise together—to reclaim the narrative on science and reaffirm its role in shaping a healthier and more prosperous world.

With solidarity, urgency, and hope,