Immune Modulation & Engineering Symposium - Project Summary The mission of the 4th Annual Immune Modulation and Engineering symposium, which will be held at Drexel University on Dec. 7-9, 2022 is to bring together researchers in biomedical engineering and basic and translational immunology to advance the rapidly emerging field of immune engineering. The speakers and attendees represent leaders in this field, with expertise in collaborating across disciplines to generate innovative solutions to treat cancer, infectious disease, immunological disorders and major injuries by modulating the immune system. The major objectives of this symposium are to provide a forum for the sharing of cutting edge ideas in immunomodulation, to stimulate cross-disciplinary collaborations, to introduce the next generation of scientists to this new field, and to identify challenges and opportunities to advance new and innovative technologies. Philadelphia is a prime location to host this event, as it is a recognized hub for immune modulation and engineering, with a thriving community comprising academic, entrepreneurial, and industry partners. The variety of research within Philadelphia is a microcosm of that which exists throughout the world, and the field of immune engineering and modulation is certainly diverse – encompassing topics which span from molecular engineering to clinical translation. In order to cover this broad spectrum of research, we propose to develop a series of four concentrations within the symposium with each concentration including two sessions of keynote talks from a diverse lineup of speakers. These concentrations include: cancer immunology & cell delivery, immunoregulation of injury and disease, nanomedicine and synthetic biology, and regenerative medicine and immune tissue engineering. We are committed to hosting an annual symposium that is of the highest quality while also showcasing the diversity in our fields. In support of this goal, this year will feature the inaugural Diverse Perspectives in Immune Engineering opening reception, which will showcase and celebrate the value of diverse team in this field. The organizing committee represents diverse representation in terms of gender, ethnicity, career stage, and scientific discipline. Similarly, we have selected speakers who are current or future leaders in the field of immune engineering who are also diverse in their make-up and background. Throughout the planning stages we will continue to seek input from our colleagues who represent persons from disadvantaged backgrounds, those with disabilities, and other underrepresented groups in science, and make every attempt to recruit participants from diverse backgrounds. Finally, we will help attendees identify resources for child and family care in the vicinity of the symposium, and we will make it clear that infants are welcome at the symposium.
