The International Cytokine & Interferon Society (ICIS) is proud to honor outstanding contributions to the field of cytokine and interferon research through its comprehensive awards program. Designed to recognize excellence at every stage of a scientist’s career, the ICIS awards underscore the Society’s commitment to fostering innovation, mentorship, and impactful research. As a significant benefit of ICIS membership, these accolades highlight the global contributions of our members and the broader scientific community.
Prestigious Career Milestones
The ICIS-Pfizer Award for Excellence in Interferon and Cytokine Research is the Society’s premier recognition, awarded to a leading scientist whose career-long work has advanced the field. Formerly known as the Seymour & Vivian Milstein Award, this year’s honor went to Professor Yanick J. Crow of University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, Scotland and Université Paris, Paris, France for his ground-breaking research on type I Interferonopathies, work which has significantly impacted the fields of basic and clinical immunology.
Among mid-career researchers, the ICIS-Luminex John R. Kettman Award went to Laura K. Mackay, PhD, Professor, Laboratory Head, Theme Leader in Immunology, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia. Professor Mackay’s recent work showed that tissue-resident T cells are key for preventing melanoma tumours from growing, and that these T cells are significantly associated with improved outcomes for patients with breast cancer.
Stefan Rose-John, PhD, Christian Albrecht University of Kiel, Kiel, Germany was named the ICIS-BioLegend William E. Paul Award winner. Established in memory of Dr. William E. Paul, this award recognizes lifetime contributions to cytokine research. Professor Rose-John has made seminal contributions over the last 30 years to the field of cytokine biology resulting in novel innovations with translational impact on the clinic.
Honoring Mentorship and Service
ICIS also values the importance of mentorship and service. The ICIS Mentorship Award, given to Professor Susan Kaech of the Salk Institute, acknowledges her sustained dedication to guiding and supporting trainees. Similarly, the ICIS-Howard A. Young Distinguished Service Award and Honorary Life Membership, presented to Katherine Fitzgerald, Ph.D., of the University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, USA, and Karen L. Mossman, Ph.D. of McMaster University, Hamilton, Canada, respectively, recognize individuals who have made extraordinary contributions to the Society and the cytokine research community over their careers.
Spotlighting Early-Career Talent
ICIS recognizes that the future of cytokine biology depends on fostering young investigators. Awards like the ICIS-Regeneron New Investigator Awards, Christina Fleischmann Award for Excellence, and Sidney & Joan Pestka Graduate and Post-Graduate Awards celebrate emerging researchers who show exceptional promise. Winners gain opportunities to present their work at the annual meeting and receive financial support for travel and registration.
A Benefit for All Members
ICIS members play an integral role in the awards process, from nominations to the selection of winners. The awards not only celebrate excellence but also offer unique opportunities for professional recognition, networking, and career advancement. These accolades affirm ICIS’s mission to advance cytokine and interferon research by spotlighting achievements across all career stages. We encourage members to nominate deserving colleagues and to take pride in a program that showcases the vibrant and diverse contributions to our field.
For more information on nominations, deadlines, and eligibility, visit the ICIS Awards page.