Past Conferences
The CFI Annual Fall Conference brings together researchers, trainees, and faculty to share the latest advances in immunology, foster collaborations, and highlight the work of our community. Explore previous conferences by clicking the links below to see photos, presentations, and highlights from past events.
Past CFI Conferences
2025 Conference
Center for Immunology 2025 Fall Conference
Center For Immunology
30th Annual Conference
Rochester, MN
October 20-21, 2025
The 30th Annual CFI Immunology Conference was held October 20–21, 2025, at the Rochester Civic Center, bringing together more than 120 scientists, trainees, and collaborators for two days of cutting-edge research presentations and community building. This year’s meeting also marked an important leadership transition: Dr. Marc Jenkins opened the conference with remarks reflecting on CFI’s legacy, celebrating the institute’s many achievements while candidly sharing areas where ambitions fell short. Highlights included the enduring impact of the Robert Good Door and Wall of Honor, recognition of the “can do” spirit of CFI staff, the success of Teatime gatherings, results from work environment surveys, productive grant groups, the CFI transgenic mouse award, and CFI’s recognition in Research.com, where it ranked 17th in the U.S. and 28th in the world in Immunology.
Marc also reflected on ongoing challenges and aspirations, including space expansion, DEI efforts, integration of clinical immunology (particularly BMT), oversight of faculty hiring, consultation processes, and strategic vision. He framed his remarks around a core principle: “Make CFI a place where it’s easy and fun to do high-quality research.”
Following these remarks, Dr. Carla Rothlin delivered her inaugural address as incoming CFI Director. Marc highlighted her exceptional achievements, noting that she is a Pew Scholar and Yale Professor whose research on inflammation and immune homeostasis, including her discovery that TAM (Tyro3, Axl, Mer) receptor tyrosine kinases limit inflammation, has had a major impact on the field. Carla is also an internationally sought-after speaker, incoming President of the International Union of Immunological Societies (IUIS), and co-founder of Global Immunotalks. Her vision for CFI builds on these accomplishments and promises a future of continued scientific innovation and community growth.
Across the scientific sessions, attendees explored a broad spectrum of topics, including CD4 and CD8 T cell differentiation, memory and exhaustion states, immune tolerance mechanisms, macrophage biology, antigen dependence in T cell function, and emerging therapeutic strategies in cancer, fibrosis, and infectious disease. Highlights included work on TAM receptor regulation, ITAM-coupled signaling, microbiota-driven Treg modulation, and advances in adoptive cell therapy for pancreatic tumors. The meeting also showcased the strength of trainee-led research, with many talks delivered by graduate students and postdocs representing labs across the Immunology community.
The conference featured a lively poster session, technology spotlights from industry partners, and a series of sponsor presentations that sparked new connections and collaborations. Informal networking remained a core component, with dedicated free time and opportunities for labs to reconnect across institutions.
A memorable moment of the meeting was the evening social, featuring a performance by “The Outliers,” the CFI faculty led band with Yoji Shimizu and Dan Mueller, joined by a surprise appearance from Marc Jenkins. Music, camaraderie, and shared celebration underscored the enduring culture of excellence and community that defines CFI.
This year’s conference was made possible through the generous support of our sponsors: BD Bioscience, BioLegend from Revvity, Bio-Techne, Cytek, Miltenyi-Biotec, StemCell Technologies, and Transnetyx
2024 Conference
Center for Immunology 2024 Fall Conference
Center For Immunology
29th Annual Conference
Duluth, MN
October 21-22, 2024
This year marked the 29th annual CFI Conference, a milestone event held once again on the scenic shores of Duluth, MN at the DECC on Canal Park. The conference brought together over 160 scientists who shared their research and engaged in meaningful interactions, all within a beautiful and relaxing environment. The dedicated student organizers, Haeree Park Lang, Zoe Schmiechen, and Rocio Amaro Marquez, introduced several exciting new elements to enhance the conference experience.
The two-day event featured a series of short talks from pre- and post-doctoral trainees, invited speakers, and faculty. A highlight of the conference was the 3-Minute Talk competition, where nine trainees presented their work in an engaging and concise format. Attendees had the opportunity to vote for their favorite speaker, and a judges' panel, including Kris Hogquist, PhD, Tanya Freedman, PhD, and Michael Farrar, PhD, selected the top three winners. Although only four speakers were formally recognized, all the presentations were exceptional, and we gained valuable insights into the diverse research being conducted.
People's Choice Winner: Preethy Parthiban (Revelo Lab)
Judges' Panel 3rd place: Rocio Amaro Marquez (Blazar Lab)
Judges' Panel 2nd place: Sookyong Joo (Farrar Lab)
Judges' Panel 1st place: Jennifer Tuokkola (Schwertfeger Lab)
The conference also featured a dynamic poster session, providing attendees the opportunity to share their work and receive valuable feedback. The first evening concluded with a dinner and social mixer, complete with dancing and live music from "The Outliers," a cover band made up of our very own CFI members—Dr. Yoji Shimizu, Dr. Dan Mueller, and Dr. Sam Becker.
On day two, the event kicked off with breakfast and an exciting Speed Networking activity. Participants lined up in two rows and rotated to meet new people, answering fun and science-oriented questions such as “What’s your favorite fluorophore?” or “If you could be any cell, which one would you be and why?” This activity encouraged networking, introduced new connections, and sparked conversations that will likely lead to future collaborations.
The morning continued with a captivating talk by Chris Carlson of NarrativePros on “Presenting with Precision: A Proven System to Maximize Impact and Minimize Prep Time,” which included interactive activities aimed at enhancing presentation skills. The conference also featured three engaging 40-minute workshops on topics such as multiplex immunofluorescence, single-cell sequencing analysis, and practical considerations in spectral flow cytometry. These workshops allowed participants to delve deeper into emerging technologies and engage in in-depth discussions about techniques and results.
We extend our gratitude to our generous sponsors: Echo BioTech, GenScript, Miltenyi Biotech, Bio-Techne, STEMCELL Technologies, and Cytek Biosciences, whose support made this event possible.
2024 Immunology Conference
Day 1
Haeree Park Lang, Zoe Schmiechen, and Rocio Amaro Marquez,
Enjoying puzzles, dancing, and mingling with colleagues, attendees had a great time connecting and unwinding at the event.
Puzzles are underway, bringing some fun and friendly competition!
The Outliers, featuring a special guest performance by Dr. Marc Jenkins, singing his rendition of 'Ring of Fire'!
Drs. Nelson, Masopust, Dileepan, Mitchell, Spanier and Schultz
Chris Carlson of NarrativePros on “Presenting with Precision: A Proven System to Maximize Impact and Minimize Prep Time”
The audience engaging with Chris Carlson of NarrativePros
Speed Networking
2023 Conference
Center for Immunology 2023 Fall Conference
2022 Conference
Center for Immunology 2022 Fall Conference
2021 Conference
Center for Immunology 2021 Fall Conference
26th Annual Immunology Conference
Huntington Bank Stadium
October 25, 2021
2019 Conference
Center for Immunology 2019 Fall Conference
2016-2017 Conference
Center for Immunology 2016-17 Fall Conference
Center For Immunology
22nd Annual Immunology Conference
Edgewater Hotel, Madison, WI
April 11-13, 2017
This year the 2017 Immunology Conference was co-sponsored by the Center for Immunology and the University of Chicago. For 2 days the attendees enjoyed the beauty of The Edgewater Hotel in Madison, Wisconsin, a half-way point for both colleges. The conference allowed over 160 scientists from both institutions to share their work and interact with each other in a beautiful and relaxing social setting. Each day was filled with short talks highlighting the work of pre and post-doctoral trainees, invited speakers, and faculty. A poster session was held each evening so that everyone had the opportunity to share their work and receive feedback. The first night was capped off with a dinner and a social mixer that included dancing and the musical stylings of "The Outliers", a cover band that features 2 of our very own faculty, Dr. Yoji Shimizu and Dr. Dan Mueller.
2015 Conference
Center for Immunology 2015 Fall Conference
Center For Immunology
21st Annual Immunology Conference
St. James Hotel, Red Wing, MN
October 12-13, 2015
For the last 21 years, the Center for Immunology has hosted a research conference for students, post-doctoral fellows, and faculty to focus on science away from the distractions of everyday life. Over the years the conference has been co-supported by several corporate sponsors, the current sponsor of the 2015 retreat is Affymetrix/eBioscience. The conference is an excellent opportunity for the participants to showcase their current research projects to each other and to the broader immunology research community at the University of Minnesota.
The two-day conference offers a series of short talks highlighting the work of pre and post-doctoral trainees, invited speakers, and faculty. All student attendees present a poster in an evening poster session showcasing their work. The first night is capped off with a dinner and a social mixer that includes dancing and the musical stylings of "The Outliers", a cover band that features 2 of our very own faculty, Dr. Yoji Shimizu, and Dr. Dan Mueller.
For the last 2 years, the two-day event has been held at the historic St. James Hotel in Red Wing, MN. Not only does this venue showcase the beautiful Fall colors found along the Mississippi River but the area offers a variety of recreational and shopping activities to fill your free time.
This year was a special year...we celebrated the career of Dr. Matthew Mescher spanning almost 40 years and many accomplishments. The first day of the retreat was devoted to Dr. Mescher and how he shaped not only the Center for Immunology but more than 15 Ph.D. students and over 21 Post-doctoral fellows and research associates. We were lucky enough to hear talks from Dr. Mescher's first and last graduate students as well as many in between.
Monday, October 12, 2015
9:00 - 9:45 Welcome – Marc Jenkins, Ph.D., Director, CFI
9:45 - 9:50 Matt Mescher, Ph.D.
9:50 - 10:10 Steven Balk, MD, Ph.D.(Grad Student 1976-1983) Professor, Harvard Medical School
“Advances in Prostate Cancer Pathogenesis and Therapy”
10:10 - 10:30Aaron Turkewitz, Ph.D.(undergrad 1979-1980) Professor, University of Chicago
“Inheritance vs innovation in the evolution of modern cells”
10:30 - 10:45 Coffee Break
10:45 - 11:10 Derry Roopenian, Ph.D.(Post-doc 1983 – 1984) Professor, The Jackson laboratory
“Getting here from there”
11:10 - 11:30 Steven Goldstein, M.D. Ph.D.(Grad Student 1983 – 1986) Professor, Sr. Vice President Brandeis University
“T cell activation and ion channels”
11:30 - 11:50 Kevin Kane, Ph.D.(Post-doc 1986 - 1991) Professor, University of Alberta
“Determinants of NK cell receptor recognition of MHC-I"
11:50 - 1:30 Lunch
1:30 - 1:50 Ross Kedl, Ph.D.(Grad Student 1993 – 1997) Professor, University of Colorado Denver
“T cell vaccinology… what attenuated infections aren’t telling us”
1:50 - 2:10 Clint Schmidt, Ph.D.(Grad Student 1995 – 2000) Dir. Res Operations, NovaDigm Therapeutic, Inc
”NDV-3, a vaccine to protect against Candida albicans and Staphylococcus aureus infections”
2:10 - 2:30 Chris Hammerbeck, Ph.D.(Grad Student 2001 – 2006) Research Immunologist, USAMRIID
"Hantavirus disease pathogenesis: Modulating the immune response to discover mechanisms of disease"
2:30 - 2:50 Zhengguo Xiao, Ph.D.(Post-doc 2004 – 2008) Associate Professor, University of Maryland
“Being Positive When It’s Negative”
2:50 - 3:10 Michael Gerner, Ph.D.(Grad Student 2003 – 2009) Research Fellow, NIAID, NIH
“Seeing things clearly now …"
Free time and set up posters starting at 4:00
6:00 - 7:30 Dinner
7:30 - 9:00 Poster session
9:00 - Social mixer featuring "The Outliers"
Tuesday, October 13, 2015
8:00 - 8:55 Breakfast
9:00 - 9:30 Yu-Jung Lee, Ph.D.
“Histocytometry”
9:30 - 10:00 Kaylee Schwefeger, Ph.D.
“Breast cancer, inflammation, and immunity: novel mechanisms of interaction”
10:00 - 10:20 Coffee Break
10:20 - 10:50 Sara Becker-Catania, Ph.D. (Affymetrix)
“Visualize the Whole Picture- A how to for multiplexed detection of RNA or protein expression”
10:50 - 11:20Lalit Beura, Ph.D.
"Normalizing pathogen exposure recapitulates adult human immune signatures in laboratory mice".
11:20 - 11:30 Final remarks
11:45 - 1:00 PI’s and Affymetrix meeting/lunch
Special thanks to our corporate sponsor: Affymetrix/eBioscience
