AAI Public Policy Fellowship

AAI Public Policy Fellowship is sponsored by American Association of Immunologists (AAI). AAI Public Policy Fellowship is a grant from the American Association of Immunologists (AAI) that empowers early-career biomedical researchers to become effective advocates for science policy and NIH funding.

The American Association of Immunologists - AAI's Public Policy Fellows Program (PPFP) Public Affairs \ AAI's Public Policy Fellows Program (PPFP) AAI's Public Policy Fellows Program (PPFP) Applications are being accepted through Wednesday, January 22. Apply now!

The AAI Public Policy Fellows Program (PPFP) is a one-year opportunity designed to empower early-career biomedical researchers to become effective advocates for NIH funding and science policy issues of concern to the immunology community. If you are within 15 years of receiving your terminal degree and committed to a career in research, the PPFP is your chance to help shape the future of immunology and the scientific enterprise.

APPLY NOW! APPLICATIONS CLOSE JANUARY 21, 2026 --> APPLICATIONS ARE NOW CLOSED The PPFP runs from May 1st of the selection year to April 30th of the following year and offers specialized training and hands-on experience without requiring you to leave your job or institution. Time Commitment & Support Attend the AAI annual meeting during your fellowship year, including any policy or other sessions requested by AAI.

Attendance is at the Fellow's expense, but Fellows are encouraged to apply for and use any AAI travel awards for which they are eligible. Education & Participation Participate in monthly virtual meetings and communicate via email with AAI government affairs staff and the AAI Committee on Public Affairs . Stay informed on recent public affairs issues and contribute your views and expertise.

Monthly 1-hour virtual meetings from June to April; no travel is required. Fellows have exciting opportunities throughout the year to contribute directly to AAI's legislative activities, such as drafting sections of the AAI congressional testimony and revising the AAI Advocacy Brochure . Participate in AAI’s advocacy activities and gain experience with written communication to Congress.

Total time commitment is ~3-5 hours. The program culminates in a two-day Capitol Hill Day program (typically in March). Either virtually or in-person, Fellows attend a dedicated training session with AAI staff, then meet with their Congressional representatives to advocate for biomedical research and increased NIH funding.

If the program is held in-person, AAI covers flights, hotel, and reasonable expenses (per the AAI Volunteer Travel Policy). Why Apply? Become a Leader in Science Advocacy Understand Science Policy: Become familiar with how the President, Congress, and NIH determine the policies and funding levels that directly impact your career and the broader biomedical research enterprise.

Amplify Your Voice: Learn about the legislative process and gain the skills to advocate for policies that directly affect your research and the scientific community. Invest in Leadership: Former Fellows often participate in significant AAI volunteer roles, including serving on the AAI Committee on Public Affairs , which provides even more intensive opportunities to shape AAI's public policy efforts.

Qualifications and Application Requirements All PPFP participants are selected by the AAI Committee on Public Affairs . Applicants must meet all the following criteria: Must have received their Ph. D.

or M. D. (or equivalent) within the previous 15 years in immunology or a related field.

Must be a member in good standing of AAI at the time of application and throughout the Fellowship year. Must be committed to a career in biomedical research . Must live and work in the United States .

Must possess excellent interpersonal and communication skills and demonstrate an interest in public policy as it relates to biomedical research. Applicants must submit the following three electronic web forms by the designated deadline: The official AAI PPFP application (including uploading your CV). Two recommendation forms .

At least one must be from an AAI regular member in good standing (who does not serve on the AAI Council or AAI Committee on Public Affairs). The official AAI PPFP application (including uploading your CV). Two recommendation forms .

At least one must be from an AAI regular member in good standing (who does not serve on the AAI Council or AAI Committee on Public Affairs).

--> EXPLORE THE DETAILED APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS Please include the following in the application package: One AAI Public Policy Fellows Program application The applicant's curriculum vitae, including: education and fellowships (institution, dates, degrees); relevant employment history; and selected bibliography (complete citations with titles) Two PPFP recommendation forms - Recommendation Form 1 and Recommendation Form 2 - each completed and signed by a regular AAI member in good standing ( recommendations from members of the AAI Council or AAI Committee on Public Affairs will not be accepted ).

Please be sure to send “Recommendation Form 1” to one of your referees and “Recommendation Form 2” to your second referee, rather than sending the same PDF to each referee. Please submit all documents as a single combined PDF file to Jake Schumacher, AAI Manager of Science Policy and Legislative Affairs, at jschumacher@aai. org .

If you do not have Adobe Acrobat Professional, a free merging program is available at: http://smallpdf. com/merge-pdf . For best results, please download all forms and complete them in Acrobat rather than completing the forms in the browser.

Complete application packages must be received by 11:59 p. m. EST on January 23, 2018.

Incomplete packages that do not comply with the stated instructions will not be considered. AAI will not accept materials sent separately or through regular mail . Sarah Beckett Cleveland, PhD I am honored and excited to be selected as a 2026-2027 AAI Public Policy Fellow.

I am a PhD-trained immunologist with a background in T cell biology and autoimmune disease development, and an interest in how scientific discoveries translate into improved health outcomes. I believe scientists have a responsibility beyond the bench, particularly at a time when public trust in science, federal research funding, and evidence-based health policy face increasing challenges.

Through the AAI PPFP, I look forward to gaining a deeper understanding of the federal policymaking process, strengthening my ability to communicate complex immunological concepts to diverse audiences, and learning how scientists can effectively advocate for evidence-based policy. I am eager to help ensure that scientific evidence remains central to public health decision-making.

I am deeply grateful to AAI for this opportunity and for its continued commitment to engaging early-career scientists in science policy and advocacy. Harvard Medical School (Massachusetts) I am deeply honored to receive the 2026–27 Public Policy Fellowship from AAI.

As a postdoctoral research fellow at Harvard Medical School and in the Precision Vaccines Program at Boston Children’s Hospital, I conduct systems immunology and vaccinology research with a focus on immunometabolism in early human life.

Born in India and trained for my PhD as a Marie Skłodowska-Curie Fellow in Italy and Europe, I experienced the COVID-19 pandemic across different societal and political contexts, revealing how policy decisions can amplify or undermine scientific advances. These experiences strengthened my commitment to working at the intersection of basic and translational immunology, public health, and policy.

Through the fellowship, I hope to gain firsthand insight into how the U.S. Congress, the administration, and federal agencies shape policy and funding decisions that directly impact biomedical research and public health, while strengthening my ability to communicate complex scientific concepts to policymakers and the public.

University of Nebraska at Kearney I am honored to be selected as an AAI Public Policy Fellow for the 2026-2027 cohort. At a time when science funding, higher education, and public trust in biomedical research face significant challenges, it is essential for scientists to engage directly in policy conversations.

As an immunologist who is a faculty leader at a primarily undergraduate institution in rural Nebraska, I see firsthand how federal and state decisions shape research programs, student opportunities, and the strength of our communities. Through this fellowship, I look forward to strengthening my ability to advocate effectively for sustained investment in biomedical research, science literacy, and higher education.

I am especially eager to apply what I learn not only at the federal level, but also within Nebraska, where thoughtful advocacy can make a meaningful difference. I am incredibly grateful to AAI for this opportunity and look forward to working alongside fellow scientists to advance thoughtful, science-informed policy.

Princeton University (New Jersey) It’s a great honor to be selected to participate in AAI’s Public Policy Fellows Program. I am excited to learn about what makes an effective public policy, and the best strategies to advocate for scientific research. Scientists have a responsibility to clearly and effectively communicate their research to both scientific and non-scientific communities.

In addition, I am looking forward to working with the policy experts within AAI to learn the best strategies to advocate for research to the public and empower us to be valuable resources for policy makers. The need for clear and concise scientific communication to the public has never been greater, and I hope that through this program I will develop skills for promoting the importance of basic immunological and clinical research.

I am grateful for the opportunity to join this cohort to learn how to be effective mediators between elected officials and the scientific community. Olanrewaju Morenikeji, PhD Virginia State University Being named an AAI Public Policy Fellow is a remarkable privilege and a significant milestone in my career.

Although my primary responsibilities are at the laboratory bench, I recognize the duty of every scientist to participate in both the societal and political frameworks that support our research. I am excited to represent AAI and learn how to translate complex scientific concepts into compelling narratives for policymakers.

I look forward to collaborating with fellow scientists to advance the importance of immunology and to ensure a robust future for the next generation of researchers through strategic advocacy and informed policy engagement. Jacqueline (Koko) Mutai, PhD Oregon Health and Science University Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI), Kenya I am honored to have been selected as a fellow in the AAI Public Policy Fellowship Program (PPFP).

As an African Scientist working at the intersection of immunology and vaccinology, this opportunity is particularly meaningful to me because it provides a platform to better understand how science policies in the Global North shape research priorities and public health outcomes in the Global South. Much of the funding and policy decisions that influence infectious disease research are made far from communities most affected.

Through this fellowship, I hope to connect with public health policy fellows, raise awareness of the effects of funding decisions on low- and middle-income countries, strengthen my ability to communicate scientific evidence effectively to policymakers, and contribute to conversations that advance equitable global health. St.

Jude Children’s Research Hospital (Tennessee) I am thrilled to participate in the 2026-2027 AAI Public Policy Fellowship Program. As a researcher studying the host-microbe interactions of emerging pathogens, I have directly witnessed the importance of policy decisions both on the research community and public health as a whole.

In my experience, many people both in both government and the wider populace are willing to learn about why science policy is important, but the availability of experts on these subjects who are willing to teach them is scarce and communicating these important ideas can often be difficult.

I have always believed that we as scientists are at least partially responsible for communicating how important policy decisions around the scientific community can be, and I am excited to get to directly engage in the process and learn from policymakers through this program. The University of Alabama at Birmingham I am honored to have been selected as an AAI Public Policy Fellow for the 2026-2027 cycle.

In a climate where disinformation and public mistrust in science are increasingly prevalent, it is crucial to have informed and dedicated scientists advocating on behalf of the scientific community. As scientists, we are trained to think critically to solve complex scientific problems; this program provides the unique opportunity to learn how to translate those skills into the domain of public policy.

I am excited to learn about the inner workings of science policy, and, in doing so, become a stronger advocate for science. I look forward to honing my scientific communication skills and collaborating with my AAI colleagues to leverage our skills for the benefit of both the scientific community and the communities we serve.

University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine (Pennsylvania) I am honored to be selected as a participant in the 2026–2027 AAI Public Policy Fellows Program. I study the immunology of tuberculosis, a disease that has affected humanity for millennia and continues to cause substantial morbidity and mortality worldwide.

Although biomedical science has experienced tremendous technological advancement, progress against infectious diseases rarely comes from a single breakthrough. Rather, improvements in global health outcomes reflect decades of sustained scientific investment and collaboration.

As scientists, we have a responsibility to clearly communicate the significance of our work beyond the research community and maintain meaningful engagement with the public. I look forward to engaging with policymakers, strengthening my ability to communicate the importance of biomedical research to broader audiences, and supporting evidence-based decision-making.

Lauren Stewart Stafford, PhD Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine (Ohio) I am so honored to be selected as a 2026-2027 AAI Public Policy Fellow! My research focuses on how moms and babies respond to maternal vaccination, putting my work at an important intersection of immunology, public health, and women and infant health.

Currently, we are living through a remarkable time in history where vaccinations have become increasingly controversial, placing neonates and infants at extreme risk. I truly believe we as scientists are necessary pillars to bridge the gap in public understanding and returned trust in science and research.

As someone who lives with a chronic illness and grew up impoverished, I recognize how critical the positive connection is between education, health, government funding, and the public. I look forward to learning and growing alongside my fellow fellows! Alfonso Bencomo-Alvarez, Ph.

D. St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital (Tennessee) Mayassa Bou-Dargham, Ph.

D. University of Pennsylvania Cherry Cheuk Lam Cheung, M. Sc.

, Ph. D. Indiana University School of Medicine Marian University (Indiana) Wadsworth New York State Department of Health Marisa Joldrichsen, Ph.

D. The Ohio State University Johnson & Johnson (Pennsylvania) University of Texas at Austin University of California, Berkeley Rutgers University - New Jersey Medical School St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital Oregon Health & Science University Washington University in St.

Louis Patricia Ferrer Castillo, Ph. D. Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences Henry M.

Jackson Foundation for the Advancement of Military Medicine The University of Montana Lawrence Livermore National Lab Louisiana State University Insha Zahoor, Ph. D. Henry Ford Health Mafalda de Arrábida Farelo, Ph.

D. Seattle Children's Research Institute Yale School of Public Health Srinivasu Mudalagiriyappa, D. V.

M. , Ph. D.

Amali Samarasinghe, Ph. D. University of Tennessee Health Sciences Center Washington University in St.

Louis Western Michigan University Homer Stryker M. D. School of Medicine St.

Jude Children’s Research Hospital American Association for Cancer Research St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital University of Texas at Dallas University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center Victoria Mutua, D. V.

M. , Ph. D.

University of California, Davis Centers for Disease Control and Prevention University of Mississippi Medical Center Year: All Years 2022-2023 2021-2022 2020-2021 2019-2020 2018-2019 2017-2018 2016-2017 2015-2016 2014-2015 2013-2014 2012-2013 2011-2012 Victoria Mutua, D. V. M.

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Elizabeth Franks, Ph. D. April Huseby Kelcher, Ph.

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Parameswaran Ramakrishnan, Ph. D. Rebecca Hesterberg, Ph.

D. Shailbala Singh, D. V.

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Anibal Valentin-Acevedo, Ph. D. Francisco R.

Victorino, Ph. D. Mallory L.

Paynich, Ph. D. Mufadhal Al-Kuhlani, Ph.

D. Jennifer (Lori) Blanchfield, Ph. D.

Devavani Chatterjea, Ph. D. Michael Constantinides, Ph.

D. Elizabeth Leadbetter, Ph. D.

Nicole Perry Lieberman, Ph. D. Jean Nepomuscene Manirarora, D.

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D. Karen O'Connell Martins, Ph. D.

Anastazia Older Aguilar, Ph. D. Hannah Phipps-Yonas, Ph.

D. Srinika Ranasinghe, Ph. D.

Lavanya Visvabharathy, Ph. D. Heather Marie Buechel, Ph.

D. Mariana Guerra-Maupome, D. V.

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Farrah C. Phillips, Ph. D.

Julie Swartzendruber, Ph. D. View Capitol Hill Day Photos AAI's Public Policy Fellows Program (PPFP) AAI Public Affairs Recognition Award