As we close out 2025, we find ourselves reflecting on a year that has been nothing short of extraordinary for our global cytokine community. From groundbreaking scientific achievements to meaningful connections forged across continents, this year has reminded us why we do what we do—and why this community matters so much.
Seattle: Where Science Met Community
The highlight of our year was undoubtedly Cytokines 2025 in Seattle. From November 2-5, the Westin Seattle became home to 535 cytokine researchers from 20 countries, creating an atmosphere that can only be described as electric. Co-chaired by Drs. Michael Gale, Jr. and Ram Savan, the meeting delivered on every front: cutting-edge science, authentic networking, and yes—some seriously good entertainment (that 80’s cover band may have earned a permanent spot in Cytokines conference lore).
The scientific program was exceptional, featuring Nobel Laureates Charlie Rice and David Baker as keynote speakers, alongside Dr. Zhijian “James” Chen, whose remarkable year of recognition included the 2024 Albert Lasker Award. But beyond the star power, it was the diversity of perspectives—from established leaders to early career researchers presenting their latest findings—that made Seattle truly special.
The numbers tell part of the story: 49 travel awards helped bring talented researchers who might not otherwise have attended, multiple networking events created spaces for collaboration, and the Early Career Researcher event on November 3 proved once again that some of the best science happens in relaxed, informal settings where new connections become new collaborations, and often, new friendships.
Recognizing Excellence Across Career Stages
This year, we celebrated the breadth of talent in our community through our comprehensive awards program. Our 2025 Senior Career Awards recognized pioneering contributions to the field, with the prestigious ICIS-Pfizer Award for Excellence in Interferon and Cytokine Research jointly awarded to Drs. Burkhard Becher and Francisco J. Quintana.
The Sidney & Joan Pestka Graduate and Post-Graduate Awards, sponsored by PBL Assay Services, honored exceptional young investigators including Dr. Alexander Lercher, whose work on viral disease and innate immunity is opening new avenues of understanding. The Christina Fleischmann Award and Amanda Proudfoot Tribute Award continued to recognize the next generation of female cytokine researchers pushing boundaries in their respective fields.
We also celebrated our 2025 ICIS-Regeneron New Investigators: Mohammed Arifuzzaman, Ang Cui, Ruaidhri Jackson, and Nandan Gokhale. These awards aren’t just about recognizing past achievements—they’re about investing in the future of our field and supporting the researchers who will lead us forward.
A New Chapter: Embracing “The Cytokine Society”
Perhaps one of the most significant developments of 2025 was the membership’s embrace of our evolution. At the Annual Business Meeting in Seattle on November 5, we took an important step in our society’s journey by moving forward with the proposal to rebrand as “The Cytokine Society.” This name change, which will launch in early 2026 following the membership vote, isn’t about diminishing our history—it’s about being inclusive of our broader community and capturing the full scope of research under our umbrella.
The process demonstrated the best of our community: thoughtful dialogue, democratic engagement, and a shared commitment to the society’s future. The proposed new branding, with its flexible and descriptive taglines, will help us better communicate who we are and what we represent to the wider scientific community.
New Leadership, Continued Excellence
The 2025 ICIS Leadership elections brought fresh perspectives to guide our society forward. Dr. Curt Horvath has assumed the role of President, bringing his deep commitment to supporting our global community. The incoming leaders represent perspectives from across the globe, ensuring that our international character remains at the heart of everything we do.
These leadership transitions remind us that our society thrives because members step up, contribute their time and expertise, and help shape the direction of our field. It’s this spirit of service that has sustained us for over a decade and will carry us into the future.
Looking Ahead: Glasgow 2026 and Beyond
As we celebrate 2025, we’re already looking forward to Cytokines 2026 in Glasgow, Scotland, scheduled for October 18-21. Under the leadership of Dr. Simon Jones from Cardiff University, we’re building a program that will bring together our community in one of Europe’s most vibrant scientific hubs.
But here’s the thing: this community belongs to all of us, and we need your involvement to make 2026 everything it can be. Whether you’re considering submitting your latest work to present in Glasgow, interested in joining the abstract review process to help shape the scientific program, or excited about getting involved with the Early Career Researcher committee to support the next generation—we want to hear from you.
The strength of our society has always been in the willingness of our members to contribute, collaborate, and support one another. Every presentation, every review, every committee member makes a difference in the experience we create together.
Gratitude and Hope
As we close this remarkable year, we’re filled with gratitude. Gratitude for the researchers who shared their work in Seattle, for the sponsors and exhibitors who made the meeting possible, for the award winners who inspire us all, and for every member who contributes to making this community what it is.
The field of cytokine biology continues to expand and evolve, touching every aspect of medicine from cancer to autoimmune disease to neural development. The work you do matters—not just to our field, but to patients and communities around the world.
Thank you for making 2025 a year to remember. We can’t wait to see what we’ll achieve together in Glasgow and beyond.
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Interested in getting involved with Cytokines 2026? Whether you’d like to help with abstract review, join the Early Career Researcher committee, or learn about other volunteer opportunities, please reach out to managing director, Stephanie Flores. Your community needs you, and we’d love to have you on board.
Save the date: Cytokines 2026, Glasgow, Scotland | October 18-21, 2026