26th Annual Upstate New York Immunology Conference
Oct. 21-24, 2024
The 26th annual Upstate New York Immunology Conference will be held Monday, Oct. 21 through Thursday, Oct. 24, 2024, at The Otesaga Resort Hotel located on Lake Otsego in Cooperstown, New York, approximately 80 miles west of Albany.
Shabaana A. Khader, PhD, of The University of Chicago, will be a keynote speaker.
Past keynote speakers have included Jeffrey C. Rathmell, PhD, of Vanderbilt University (2021), Jonathan C. Kagan, PhD, of Harvard Medical School (2021), De'Broski Herbert, PhD, of University of Pennsylvania (2022), Katrin D. Mayer-Barber, PhD, of NIAID/NIH (2022), and Eugene Oltz, PhD, of Ohio State University (2023). Topics have included inflammation, innate immunity, cytokine function, and adaptive lymphoid cells.
The registration form uses cookies to hold your place in the form, allowing you to finish it at a later date. If you need to restart your registration, please clear your browser’s cookies before relaunching it.
Corporate sponsor and vendor registration
Conference highlights include:
- Welcome Reception
- Keynote Speakers
- NIH Workshop
- Career Development Workshop
- Symposia Presentations
- Oral Poster Presentations
- Poster Session and Vendor Fair Mixer
- 10 AAI Young Investigator Awards
- 10 NYIC Trainee Awards
- Drawing for one Apple iPad Air (registered trainees only)
The ongoing goal of this meeting is to foster collaborations and interactions among participants and their institutions, and to provide opportunities for postdoctoral fellows and graduate students to present their research.
Trainees are encouraged to submit poster abstracts for consideration for an AAI Young Investigator Award or an NYIC Trainee Award. To be eligible to receive an award, attendees must submit their registration form and a poster abstract submission form by 5 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 9, 2024. See below for detailed poster and abstract guidelines.
Our Scientific Advisory Board members select the award winners based on the scientific value of the submitted poster abstracts. Awards and certificates will be presented during the conference. Trainees who receive an award will also give an oral poster presentation during the conference.
To address and expand our commitment to diversity and inclusion and to encourage underrepresented minorities (URM) to pursue their interest in science, we will waive registration fees for up to three URM trainees per year. Interested parties must complete the URM application, conference registration, and poster abstract submission forms, and send their abstract to [email protected]. If there are more than three URM applications, Scientific Advisory Board members will select waiver recipients.
Registration fees are based on the registration type and accommodation preference (single/double). The registration fee includes three nights lodging, group meals, break beverages (excluding alcohol), and conference materials. Due to the limited number of available rooms, early registration is recommended. All participants are encouraged to stay for the entire conference.
Cancellations: To receive a refund, cancellations must be received via email at [email protected] no later than Friday, Aug. 16, 2024.
Please check back for updates.
Previous Programs
The 2023 conference program is available here. Conference programs from previous years are available by contacting Dawn Bellville at [email protected].
The conference has been supported for 18 years by a National Institutes of Health National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases R13 grant. The views expressed in written conference materials or publications and by speakers and moderators do not necessarily reflect the official policies of the Department of Health and Human Services; nor does mention of trade names, commercial practices, or organizations imply endorsement by the U.S. Government. Institutional financial supporters include Albany Medical College, Cornell University, Dartmouth College, McGill University, Roswell Park Cancer Institute, SUNY Upstate Medical University, University at Buffalo, University of Rochester, University of Vermont, and Wadsworth Center/UAlbany.
All abstracts must be submitted by 5 p.m., Friday, Aug. 9, 2024.
All correctly formatted abstract submissions will be accepted for a poster presentation. All trainee-submitted abstracts will be considered for an AAI Young Investigator Award or an NYIC Travel Award (if available) unless you opt out.
If your abstract is selected for an award and oral presentation, you will be notified by email by Aug. 16, 2024. Only posters requesting consideration for an award will give an oral presentation.
Abstracts must be submitted electronically with a poster abstract submission form. After completing the form, send your abstract to [email protected]. All submissions will be confirmed via email.
Format
Abstracts must be formatted as outlined below. Abstracts formatted incorrectly or missing vital information will be returned (no exceptions). Abstracts submitted incorrectly a second time may be refused.
Page Set-up: 1" left and right margins
Title: Centered and bold text on first line of page (no period) followed by one blank line.
Contributors: List all contributors to this abstract/poster. The person presenting the poster should be underlined. Centered on page. No period. No blank line.
Institution(s): See example below, followed by two blank lines.
Body of text: Indentation for each paragraph, no blank lines between paragraphs. Unjustified text. Single line spacing. Limited to 400 words or what fits on one page, including all other requirements. Overflow of text will be deleted.
Font & Symbols: Use only Times New Roman 12 point font; special symbols may not transmit correctly if you use another font. Do not use a smaller size font or decrease margins to fit more text. To ensure meaning, please follow symbols by providing its corresponding word in parentheses (i.e., alpha, beta, etc.).
Format: Word documents only (.doc or .docx). All others will be returned and rejected.
Example of Correct Poster Format:
Regulate B Cell Functions & Development in New Ways
R.E. Jones, M.A. Mars, and J.K. Link
The Place Where Science is the Star, Anytown, NY
Conference administrators are not responsible for typographical errors or errors that occur during transmission. Author(s) are responsible for spelling and grammar.
Poster Guidelines
Poster size is limited to 42”w x 48”h in portrait orientation.
- All posters must have an abstract to include in the conference program.
- In most cases, assignment of poster numbers will be given in the order they are received.
- The poster presenter’s name must be underlined on both the poster and abstract.
Posterboards will be numbered prior to displaying posters. Pushpins will be supplied. There are two poster sessions: Odd numbered posters will be viewed in the first session and will need to be removed at the end of this session at the time listed in the schedule. Even numbered posters will need to be displayed before the second session. Both sessions will take place in the Ballroom. Posters must be removed from poster boards when the event concludes. Neither the conference nor The Otesaga are responsible for lost or discarded posters.
Poster numbers will be listed on the schedule page after Sept. 15, 2024.
Albany Medical College
Conference Safety Plan
Commitment to Safety
Albany Medical College, part of the Albany Med Health System, is committed to providing a safe environment for this conference free of harassment, discrimination and retaliation. As a conference organizer and the recipient of an NIH R13 award supporting this conference, Albany Medical College is required to provide this Conference Safety Plan.
Conference Code of Conduct
It is expected that all conference participants, whether or not affiliated with Albany Medical College and regardless of their role, will conduct themselves with integrity, in a manner that enables everyone to work and learn with security and dignity, free from unwelcome, insulting, degrading or exploitive treatment or harassment. Potential violations of this Conference Code of Conduct should be made using one of the confidential channels set forth below.
Some examples of harassing, discriminatory and retaliatory behaviors include:
- Unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, touching, or impeding movements.
- Unwelcome comments or behavior in any medium related to an individual’s race, ethnicity, color, national origin, sex, disability, religion, age, gender, gender identity, disability, height, marital status, political persuasion, sexual orientation, veteran status, or weight.
- Unwelcome teasing, joking, or flirting based on actual or perceived gender identity, gender expression, or sexual identity/orientation.
- Threats or insinuations, either explicit or implicit, that an individual’s refusal to submit to or acquiesce in sexual advances or sexual conduct will adversely affect their education, employment, evaluation, wages, advancement, assigned duties, benefits, or any other aspect of education, employment, or career advancement.
Reporting Channels for Questions, Concerns & Complaints
Any conference participant who believes they have been subjected to conduct in violation of the Conference Code of Conduct or applicable policies, or who becomes aware of such conduct, is strongly encouraged to report it using one of the following confidential reporting channels:
- In an emergency, call 911.
- Conference Organizing Committee members (Dawn Bellville, Katherine MacNamara, and Michael Robek) will be available at the registration table during active conference hours.
- Albany Medical Center Title IX Deputy Coordinator and Chief Compliance Officer Noel Hogan: 518-264-4692 or [email protected]
- Albany Medical Center Director of Hospital Regulatory Affairs and Section 504 Coordinator Kara Ritschdorff: 518-262-3577; TDD or State Relay Number: 518-262-3756
- Confidential, anonymous Albany Medical Center TIPP Line: 518-264-8477; via email to [email protected]; or online at: https://amc.cqs.symplr.com/Portal/CreateForm/450012
- Albany Medical Center Human Resources: 518-262-8414
- For non-emergencies only, contact the Cooperstown, N.Y. Police Department: 607-547-2500, 22 Main Street, basement of village library, at Fair Street entrance
Individuals may also notify the NIH (https://public.era.nih.gov/shape/public/notificationForm.era or 301-480-6701), or file a complaint with HHS Office of Civil Rights at the address below related to harassment, including sexual harassment, discrimination, and other forms of inappropriate conduct at NIH-supported conferences.
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
Office of Civil Rights
200 Independence Ave. SW
Room 509F, HHH Building
Washington, D.C. 20201
1-800-368-1019, 800-537-7697 (TDD)
https://www.hhs.gov/ocr/complaints/index.html
https://www.hhs.gov/civil-rights/filing-a-complaint/index.html
Filing a complaint with Albany Medical College is not required before filing a complaint of discrimination with HHS OCR, and seeking assistance from Albany Medical College in no way prohibits filing complaints with HHS OCR.
How Albany Medical College Responds to Reports
Reports will be referred promptly to the appropriate Albany Medical College office for investigation, which includes the assessment of allegations in light of evidence collected, in accordance with the applicable policy and procedure. The confidentiality of individuals reporting possible instances of noncompliance will be protected to the extent possible. Upon completion of an investigation, Albany Medical College students and employees found to have engaged in acts of harassment, discrimination or retaliation will be promptly disciplined. If circumstances warrant, discipline for Albany Medical College students or employees may include suspension, expulsion, or termination. Consequences may be pursued related to individuals who are not Albany Medical College students or employees, which may include ineligibility to participate in future conferences organized by Albany Medical College.
Individuals making reports in good faith will not be retaliated against for having made the report regardless of whether noncompliant acts have occurred. Acts of retaliation or intimidation resulting from involvement in an investigation of potential instances of noncompliance are prohibited. All suspected acts of retaliation, intimidation, or other forms of harassment should be reported immediately to Albany Medical Center Corporate Compliance.
Albany Medical College’s Student Non-Discrimination and Harassment Policy and Complaint Procedure provides the grievance process for complaints alleging sexual harassment as defined by Title IX, as well as prohibited relationship violence, sexual misconduct, stalking and retaliation. Albany Medical College's Personal Conduct/Harassment policy provides the grievance procedure for complaints alleging all other forms of discrimination, harassment, and retaliation. Albany Medical College is responsible for receiving reports of discrimination, harassment or retaliation, and facilitating the filing of complaints under these policies, connecting affected individuals with supportive measures, accommodations, interim measures and other assistive resources, and for conducting investigations of alleged violations of both policies.
Additional Online Resources
Sexual harassment policy for New York State employers:
https://www.ny.gov/sites/default/files/atoms/files/StatewideSexualHarassment_PreventionPolicy.pdf
New York State human rights law:
https://dhr.ny.gov/system/files/documents/2023/06/human-rights-law-printable.pdf
U.S. E.E.O.C. harassment:
https://www.eeoc.gov/harassment
U.S. E.E.O.C. discrimination:
https://www.eeoc.gov/discrimination-type
NIH Supporting a Safe and Respectful Workplace at Institutions that Receive NIH Funding:
https://grants.nih.gov/grants/policy/harassment.htm
U.S. Department of Education Harassment Prevention Resources:
https://www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ocr/frontpage/pro-students/har-resources.html
Thank you for your cooperation with this Conference Safety Plan.
Enjoy the conference!