As I write this first contribution to Signals as President of THE CYTOKINE SOCIETY, I find myself thinking about my 25 years of involvement with this organization. What a long, strange trip it has been from my first Cytokine meeting in Amsterdam in 2000, a joint meeting of our parent organizations, the International Cytokine Society (ICS) and the International Society for Interferon and Cytokine Research (ISICR). As a freshly minted assistant professor seeking a community, I found what I was looking for and more, through this remarkable worldwide scientific network. The Cytokine Society has provided collaborations, friendships, and a forum for advancing science and biomedical research.
Thirteen years later, the two societies agreed to tie the knot to form the International Cytokine and Interferon Society (ICIS), continuing to expand our footprint worldwide to achieve our current position as the world’s preeminent cytokine research organization. In recognition of this success, and reflecting the new status of our society, the election results were overwhelmingly in favor of the new name and our re-branding as The Cytokine Society.
This excellence was in full evidence at Cytokines2025 in Seattle. The organizing team led by Ram Savan and Michael Gale, Jr. brought in 56 invited speakers from 10 countries, including 4 keynote speakers (Susan Kaech, Charlie Rice, James Chen, and David Baker) who are all members of the US National Academy of Sciences and recognized with 2 Nobel prizes (Rice and Baker) and three Lasker awards (Chen, Rice, Baker). Highlights include an outstanding Early Career Researcher event and a raucous Gala Dinner where we wined and dined and danced to the music of the ‘80s by the band Night Wave. Importantly, we all were able to freely share our science and have an open exchange of ideas. This gave me a hopeful distraction from the angst of the chaotic world, pushing back strongly with a message that truth matters, and science reveals the truth no matter what your personal or political beliefs.
As I take the society reins, I am truly grateful for all who came before me, especially the inimitable Sarah Gaffen, a dedicated Cytokine advocate who has been my Yoda and for the past two years. I hope I can do half as well in this role! I am also excited to be able to work with President-Elect Karen Mossman, our council of elected leaders, our hard-working committee members, and of course our manager, Stephanie Flores, who is on call and behind the curtain keeping the society running. Most of all, I am grateful to all of you who as members contribute to a vibrant, welcoming, and high impact society of cytokine biologists. I firmly believe that this society is YOUR society, so please share your ideas, volunteer for a committee, nominate yourself or a colleague for one of our prestigious awards, or seek one of our elected leadership positions. Most of all, keep attending the annual meetings! I hope to see you all in Glasgow!