2026 Registration
Registration for the 2026 Upstate New York Immunology Conference has closed.
28th Annual Upstate New York Immunology Conference
Oct. 26-29, 2026
The 28th annual Upstate New York Immunology Conference will be held Monday, Oct. 26 through Thursday, Oct. 29, 2026, at the Lake Ontario Event and Conference Center in Oswego, New York, approximately 175 miles west of Albany.
Jie Sun, PhD, from the University of Virginia School of Medicine, will serve as a keynote speaker. Alissa Rothchild, PhD, from the University of Massachusetts Amherst will serve as our inaugural Rising Star keynote speaker.
Past keynote speakers have included Eugene Oltz, PhD, of The Ohio State University (2023), Shabaana A. Khader, PhD, of The University of Chicago (2024), and Dario A. A. Vignali, PhD, of the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine (2025). Their presentations have explored topics such as inflammation, innate immunity, cytokine function, and adaptive lymphoid cells.
More information is also available on our Fourwaves event website.
Participant Registration
Attendee registration for the 2026 Upstate New York Immunology Conference has closed.
Corporate Sponsorship Registration
Sponsorship registration has closed.
For more information, please review our Corporate Sponsor Invitation packet and/or reach out to [email protected].
Conference highlights include:
- Welcome Reception
- Keynote Speaker
- Rising Star Keynote Speaker
- Keynote Workshop
- NIH Workshop
- Symposia Presentations
- Oral Poster Presentations
- Poster Session and Vendor Fair Mixer
- 10 AAI Young Investigator Awards
- 10 NYIC Trainee Travel Awards
- Drawing for two Apple iPads (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 poster abstract submission by 5 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 14, 2026. New in 2026: Poster abstracts are submitted through Fourwaves using our abstract submission form. 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.
Registration fees are based on the registration type and accommodation preference (single or double occupancy). 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. Day guest passes are available for those who do not require overnight accommodations. All participants are encouraged to stay for the entire conference. Please note that childcare services are available upon request; please indicate on your registration if you require these services.
Cancellations: To receive a refund, cancellations must be received via email at [email protected] no later than Friday, Aug. 28, 2026.
Please check back for updates.
Previous Programs
Conference programs from previous years are available by contacting Ariella Sprague at [email protected].
Funding for this conference was made possible [in part] by 2R13AI051522-01A1 from the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases. 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, Ohio State University, Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, SUNY Upstate Medical University, Trudeau Institute, University at Buffalo, and University of Rochester.
Contact Us
Feel free to reach out with any questions:
Ariella Sprague
[email protected]
Ellinor Grinde
[email protected]
518-262-7156
[email protected]
Poster Numbers Listing
1. Kamoru Adedokun *
2. Albert Zottola ^
3. Natalia Valenzuela Faccini #
4. Zoe Matacchiera *
5. Abigail McGee *
6. Sheta Biswas *
7. Rosanne Trevail #
8. Marissa Skulsky *
9. Gavin Twoey #
10. Julia Vinagolu-Baur
11. Withdrawn
12. Kayley Duncan #
13. Allison Goehl
14. Hakyung (Haven) Koo ^
15. Esther Adekomi #
16. Nelson Mukuka ^
17. Michael Vera ^
18. Bridget Lenahan #
19. Hadil Gadelrab
20. Eleana Cintron
21. Connor Mahaney
22. Akinkunmi Lawal
23. Kyle Leatt ^
24. Serena Teh
25. Emily Kulp *
26. Dharani Sree Ravi
27. Céline Hardy
28. Nnamdi Ikeogu *
29. Matthew Kryzak *
30. Claire McNally
31. Ali Zareein ^
32. Mina Mahmoudi
33. Dianne Gomez
34. Shiseido Robinson #
35. Taylor McGee #
36. Zuzanna Mamczarz
37. Elena Tonc
38. Pratyusha Mandal
39. Rucha Deo #
40. Alexandria Criswell *
41. Jun Wang #
42. Michelle Goldberg *
43. Adil Khan ^
44. Lauren Letourneau & Tyler Williams
* - AAI Young Investigator Award
# - NYIC Trainee Travel Award
^ - Poster Blitz Presentation
Schedule of Events
- 2-4 p.m. Conference Registration, Conference Center Entrance
- 3-5 p.m. Hotel Check-in, Lobby
- 5-6 p.m. Welcome Reception, Riverfront
- 6-7:15 p.m. Plated Dinner, Rooms B/C
- 7:15-8:30 p.m. Keynote Presentation, “Can We Truly Recover? The Lasting Immune Imprint of Severe Infection” – Jie Sun, PhD, Rooms B/C
- 8:30-11 p.m. Leisure gatherings, Dockside Bar and Grill
- 7-8:15 a.m. Breakfast Buffet at Leisure, Dockside Bar and Grill
- 8-8:20 a.m. Upload all Symposia Talks, Rooms A/B
- 8:20-8:30 a.m. Morning Announcements, Rooms A/B
- 8:30-10 a.m. Symposium I – Host-Microbe Interactions, Rooms A/B
- 8:30-9 a.m. Jarrod Smith, PhD (Dartmouth College)
- 9-9:30 a.m. William Reiley, PhD (Trudeau Institute)
- 9:30-10 a.m. Autumn Holmes, PhD (University at Buffalo)
- 10-10:30 a.m. Beverage Break, Riverfront
- 10:30 a.m.-Noon Symposium II – Immunoregulation, Rooms A/B
- 10:30-11 a.m. Ken Oestreich, PhD (Ohio State University)
- 11-11:30 a.m. Nicholas Adams, PhD (University of Rochester)
- 11:30 a.m.-Noon H. John Sharifi, PhD (Le Moyne College)
- Noon-1 p.m. Lunch, Dockside Bar and Grill
- 1-1:30 p.m. Upload all Poster Talks, Rooms A and B
- 1:30-3 p.m. Poster Talks (Group A): T Cell Immunity and Tolerance, Room A
- 1:30-1:45 p.m. Jun Wang (Ohio State University)
- 1:45-2 p.m. Kayley Duncan (Albany Medical College)
- 2-2:15 p.m. Nnamdi Ikeogu (Cornell University)
- 2:15-2:30 p.m. Rosanne Trevail (SUNY Upstate Medical University)
- 2:30-2:45 p.m. Shiseido RObinson (Cornell University)
- 1:30-3 p.m. Poster Talks (Group B): Inflammation and Host Defense, Room B
- 1:30-1:45 p.m. Abigail McGee (Dartmouth College)
- 1:45-2 p.m. Matthew Kryzak (Albany Medical College)
- 2-2:15 p.m. Natalia Valenzuela Vaccini (SUNY Upstate Medical University)
- 2:15-2:30 p.m. Rucha Deo (Cornell University)
- 2:30-2:45 p.m. Zoe Matacchiera
- 3-3:30 p.m. Beverage Break, Riverfront
- 3-3:30 p.m. Upload remaining Poster Talks, Rooms A and B
- 3:30-5 p.m. Poster Talks (Group C): Immune Development and Function, Room A
- 3:30-3:45 p.m. Emily Kulp (Cornell University)
- 3:45-4 p.m. Esther Adekomi (SUNY Upstate Medical University)
- 4-4:15 p.m. Michelle Goldberg (University at Buffalo)
- 4:15-4:30 p.m. Sheta Biswas (University at Buffalo)
- 4:30-4:45 p.m. Taylor McGee (Cornell University)
- 3:30-5 p.m. Poster Talks (Group D): Cancer Immunology and Immune Stimulation, Room B
- 3:30-3:45 p.m. Alexandria Criswell (Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center)
- 3:45-4 p.m. Bridget Lenahan (Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center)
- 4-4:15 p.m. Gavin Twoey (Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center)
- 4:15-4:30 p.m. Kamoru Adedokun (Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center)
- 4:30-4:45 p.m. Marissa Skulsky (University of Rochester)
- 5:30-6:15 p.m. Buffet Dinner, Rooms B/C
- 6:15-6:45 p.m. Corporate Sponsor Presentation by Waters Biosciences, Rooms B/C
- Aaron J. Tyznik, PhD, SCYM (Waters Director Scientific Affairs)
- 6:45-7:15 p.m. Trainee Award Presentation, Rooms B/C
- 7:45-11:30 p.m. Trivia Night and leisure gatherings, Dockside Bar and Grill
- 7-8:15 a.m. Breakfast Buffet at Leisure, Dockside Bar and Grill
- 8-8:20 a.m. Upload all Symposia Talks, Rooms A/B
- 8:20-8:30 a.m. Morning Announcements, Rooms A/B
- 8:30-9:30 a.m. Keynote Workshop: "Finding the Right Question Worth Your Years" – Dr. Jie Sun, Rooms A/B
- 9:30-10 a.m. Beverage Break, Riverfront
- 10-11:00 a.m. Symposium III – Tumor Immunology, Rooms A/B
- 10-10:30 a.m. Negin Majedi, PhD (Cornell University)
- 10:30-11 a.m. Jason Muhitch, PhD (Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center)
- 11-11:30 a.m. Poster Blitzes (Seven 1-minute, 1-slide presentations), Rooms A/B
- 11:30 a.m.-Noon To-Go Lunch, Room A
- 12:30-2:45 p.m. Free Time
- 2:45-5:30 p.m. Poster/Vendor Mixer, Rooms B/C/Riverfront
- 2:45-3 p.m. Set-Up Odd Number Posters
- 3-4 p.m. Poster-Vendor Mixer Session 1: Odd Number Posters
- 4-4:30 p.m. Remove Odd Number Posters/Set-Up Even Number Posters and Break
- 4:30-5:30 p.m. Poster-Vendor Mixer Session 2: Even Number Posters
- 5:30 p.m. iPad Raffle (Trainees Only)
- 5:30-6 p.m. Remove Posters and Vendor Clean-up, Rooms B/C/Riverfront
- 6-7 p.m. Buffet Dinner, Room A
- 7:20-8:30 p.m. Rising Star Keynote Presentation, “Alveolar macrophages and the innate sentinel response to Mycobacterium tuberculosis” – Alissa Rothchild, PhD, Room A
- 8:30-11 p.m. Leisure gatherings, Dockside Bar and Grill
- 7-8:15 a.m. Breakfast Buffet at Leisure, Dockside Bar and Grill
- 8-8:20 a.m. Presentation Upload, Rooms A/B
- 8:20-8:30 a.m. Morning Announcements, Rooms A/B
- 8:30-10 a.m. NIH Workshop - “Finding Your Path to NIH Funding: Opportunities, Changes, and Strategies for Success”, Rooms A/B
- Timothy Gondré-Lewis, PhD (NIAID Senior Program Officer and DAIT Research Training Officer)
- 10-10:30 a.m. Beverage Break, Riverfront
- 10:30-11:30 a.m. Symposium IV – Lung Immunology, Rooms A/B
- 10:30-11 Mobin Karimi, PhD (SUNY Upstate Medical University)
- 11-11:30 Sudeep Kumar, PhD (Albany Medical College)
- 11:30-11:45 a.m. Closing Remarks & iPad Drawing, Rooms A/B
- 11:45 a.m.-12:45 p.m. Lunch Buffet, Rooms C/Riverfront
All abstracts must be submitted by 5 p.m., Friday, Aug. 14, 2026.
All correctly formatted abstract submissions will be accepted for a poster presentation. All trainee-submitted abstracts will be automatically 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 Sept. 3, 2026. Only posters requesting consideration for an award will give an oral presentation.
Abstracts must be submitted electronically through the Fourwaves abstract submission form.
Abstract Guidelines
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 x 48 inches. Both portrait and landscape orientations are permitted.
- 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. Posters must be removed from poster boards when the event concludes. Neither the conference nor Lake Ontario Event and Conference Center are responsible for lost or discarded posters.
Poster numbers will be listed on the schedule page after Sept. 25, 2026.
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 (Ariella Sprague, Ellinor Grinde, 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: 518-262-4692 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 Oswego, N.Y. Police Department at 315-343-1212 and/or in-person at John O’C. Conway Municipal Building, 169 West Second Street, Oswego, N.Y.
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 Avenue, 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
New York State Combating Sexual Harassment in the Workplace:
https://www.ny.gov/PROGRAMS/COMBATING-SEXUAL-HARASSMENT-WORKPLACE
New York State Human Rights Law:
https://dhr.ny.gov/new-york-state-human-rights-law
U.S. E.E.O.C. Harassment:
https://www.eeoc.gov/harassment
U.S. E.E.O.C. discrimination:
https://www.eeoc.gov/filing-charge-discrimination
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!
Platinum Level Sponsor
Waters Biosciences
Silver Level Sponsor
Krackeler Scientific
Leinco Technologies
ThermoFisher Scientific
Bronze Level Sponsor
Bio X Cell
EIMMUNA Medical Supply
Nufactor
Institutional Supporters
Albany Medical College
Kate MacNamara
Cornell University
Deborah Fowell
Dartmouth College
Joshua Obar
Ohio State University
Jerry Lio
Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center
Yasmin Thanavala
SUNY Upstate Medical University
Joel Wilmore
Trudeau Institute
William Reiley
University at Buffalo
Beth Wohlfert
University of Rochester
Scott Gerber and Gary Hannon
Supporting Organizations
The 28th annual conference is supported by the American Association of Immunologists
(Providing ten AAI Young Investigator Awards)
The 28th annual conference is supported by the National Institutes of Health
(NIAID/NIAMS provided an R13 grant in support of trainees)
