Special Plenary Session

Live recording of the popular podcast "Immune"

Immune is a science podcast about “the body’s defenders against disease”. It is a unique science communication platform targeted towards the science-minded audience where the co-hosts discuss cutting edge immunology discoveries, interview immunologists, and review recent papers in a “journal club” style. SLB2022 is hosting a unique opportunity to watch a live recording!

This episode will feature conversations with
Musa Mhlanga and Julia Bohannon.

Your Immune Hosts....

Vincent Racaniello, PhD is Higgins Professor of Microbiology & Immunology at Columbia University Medical Center. Vincent entered the world of social media in 2004 with his virology blog, followed by the wildly popular podcast This Week in Virology. His goal is to be Earth’s virology professor. In recognition of his contribution to microbiology education, he was awarded the Peter Wildy Prize for Microbiology Education by the Society for General Microbiology, and the American Society for Microbiology Award for Education, and the American Society for Virology’s Wolfgang and Patricia Joklik Distinguished Service Award. His Wildy Lecture provides an overview of how he uses social media for science communication.

Cynthia Leifer, PhD is Professor of Microbiology & Immunology at Cornell University. Cindy teaches immunology, maintains an active research lab, and is active in science communication and vaccine advocacy. She is the recipient of numerous awards such as the Pfizer Award for Research Excellence, and the Dolph Adams Award for excellence in research from the Society for Leukocyte Biology, The Excellence in Teaching Award, and The Cook Award for commitment to empowering and improving the climate for women at Cornell University. She advocates for immunization policies by sharing her expertise on immunology and immunizations on panels, to school boards, in Op-Eds, and by meeting with local and state politicians. 

Stephanie Langel, PhD is an Assistant Professor in the Center for Global Health and Diseases at Case Western Reserve University’s School of Medicine. Stephanie is working to better understand the immunobiology of IgA antibodies, develop mucosal vaccine strategies for pregnant and lactating mothers as well as understand the mechanism of maternal antibody passive transfer in the placenta and mammary gland. She is passionate about communicating science to the public, particularly in underserved communities within both rural and urban areas.

Brianne Barker, PhD is Assistant Professor of Biology at Drew University. Brianne began studying immune responses to viruses as an undergraduate and now teaches undergraduate courses in immunology, virology, microbiology, and science writing. She maintains a lab where she engages undergraduates in studying the innate immune response to DNA and the relationship between viral pathogenesis and the evolution of DNA-sensing innate immune receptors. Brianne is passionate about promoting women in STEM and the relationship between science and other parts of the liberal arts. She is excited to share her passion about science to a diverse audience.