Monday, March 9 – Wednesday, March 11, 2026
Multi-day course
The Benson Hotel & Faculty Club
13025 E Montview Blvd, Aurora, CO
*REGISTRATION IS CLOSED*
Overview
The 2026 Advanced Course in Basic & Clinical Immunology will be held March 9-March 11, 2026, in Aurora, Colorado at the Benson Hotel & Faculty Club. The event includes 16 course lectures from renowned faculty presented a clinical spin on major topics in cellular and molecular immunology.
The lectures, delivered by talented faculty who are renowned for the ability to span basic and clinical science, take attendees from the bench to the bedside and back again.
A unique feature of the course is the faculty stay at the Benson Hotel & Faculty Club for the duration of the course, so there is also ample opportunity for students to interact with the faculty outside the lecture room.
Register early as this popular course regularly sells-out and rooms at the host hotel are available on a first-come, first-served basis.
Format: In-Person
The course will be available in-person ONLY during the dates specified above in Aurora, Colorado.
Target Audience
This course is designed for:
- Clinical fellows in disciplines related to immunology, including rheumatology, allergy, infectious disease, oncology, and transplantation
- Fellows doing basic research with an emphasis on human disease
- Scientists or other research and development personnel from biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies who are involved in developing new therapies for immunological disease
- Academic or community physicians who wish to enhance their understanding of immunology
Learning Objectives
After the course, attendees will be able to:
- Discuss the fundamental mechanisms underlying protective immune responses and discuss the recent advances and emerging themes in immunology research, including tumor immunity and the immunology of COVID-19.
- Describe the fundamental mechanisms underlying immunologic disease and associate these mechanisms with strategies for therapeutic modulation of the immune system.
- Appreciate the basic immunological principles underlying biotherapeutics, recognize the commonality among diverse organ-specific disease states, and infer the mechanisms of therapeutic effect.
- Analyze the medical literature reporting immunologic advances pertinent to their patients, cite the rationale for use of new immunodiagnostic and immunotherapeutic modalities in their patients, and serve as thought leaders within their medical communities.
Reviews and Praise from 2024 Course Attendees
More than 2,100 clinicians, researchers, and trainees have attended the course since it was first offered in 2007.
Read why past attendees enjoyed the course:
- “The best part was the way that the speakers developed their talk and the huge knowledge that they have and the experience on different fields of the immunology.”
- “I really like all the different lectures, I learn or refresh a lot of things and it was really nice to spend this time in a hotel it gave the opportunities to speak with the teacher but also with other PhD student or researchers around the world.”
- “Excellent lectures overall, material presented clearly, ample time to ask questions, friendly format.”
- “Essentially an entire immunology course in just 3 days with fantastic faculty, perfect amount of information and time spent in class. I was genuinely excited to go to class each morning, and thoroughly enjoyed each lecture.”
- “Excellent faculty and talks. Nature of small group setting and faculty being present to talk to throughout the course.”
- “The course is detailed with up to date material starting with basic principles to translation clinical issues in clinical immunology.”
Thank you to our 2026 Course Sponsors!
Bronze Sponsor
Copper Sponsor
Registration Information
*REGISTRATION IS CLOSED*
2026 Advanced Course Registration Rates
| Rate | Member | Non-Member | |
| Trainee/Fellow | $675 | $750 | |
| Regular | $1,350 | $1,500 | |
| Industry | $2,700 | $3,000 | |
All registration rates include course materials, name badge, certificate of participation, and the meals/snacks listed on the agenda.
FOCIS members receive the lowest registration rates – one of many benefits of membership. Become a FOCIS member today.
Hotel Reservations - The Benson Hotel & Faculty Club
We have a block of rooms reserved at the headquarters hotel from Saturday, March 7 – Wednesday, March 11.
Discounted Rate: $155.41/night (includes all taxes and fees).
Cancellation Policy
If you must cancel or transfer your registration, the notification must be sent to info@focisnet.org. Please include the name of the course in the subject line of your email. If cancellation notice is received before February 2, 2026, a full refund less a $50 administration fee to be given. No refunds will be issued after February 2, 2024, nor for failure to attend.
Registration transfers are available with a $30 administrative transfer fee. Any difference in the registration rate will be charged in addition to the transfer fee.
If you must cancel or transfer your registration, the notification must be sent to info@focisnet.org. Please include the name of the course in the subject line of your email. If cancellation notice is received before February 2, 2026, a full refund less a $50 administration fee to be given. No refunds will be issued after February 2, 2024, nor for failure to attend.
Registration transfers are available with a $30 administrative transfer fee. Any difference in the registration rate will be charged in addition to the transfer fee.
Questions?
Contact us at +1 414-359-1670 or info@focisnet.org
Program
Renowned speakers explore major topics in cellular and molecular immunology – taking you from the bench to the bedside and back again.
Lectures focus on major topics in cellular and molecular immunology, including innate immunity, B cells, T cells, dendritic cells, cytokines, and mucosal immunity. In the second half of the program, lectures will cover autoimmune, allergic, and immunodeficiency diseases, as well as new advances in interventional and clinical immunology.
View the complete program with speakers and presentation topics below.
Course Directors
Elena Hsieh, MD, University of Colorado – Anschutz Medical Campus
Terri Laufer, MD, Corporal Michael C. Crescenz (Philadelphia) VA Medical Center | University of Pennsylvania
Stephanie Eisenbarth, MD, PhD, Northwestern University
Faculty
Mark Anderson, MD, PhD, University of California, San Francisco
Leslie Berg, PhD, University of Colorado – Anschutz Medical Campus
Lisa Denzin, PhD, Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine
Lewis Lanier, PhD, University of California, San Francisco
Andrew Lichtman, MD, PhD, Brigham and Women’s Hospital
Carrie Lucas, PhD, Yale University
Jonathan Maltzman, MD, PhD, Stanford University
Cathryn Nagler, PhD, University of Chicago
Shiv Pillai, MD, PhD, Ragon Institute of MGH, MIT, and Harvard
Agenda
All times are Mountain Daylight Savings Time (MDT).
All lectures take place in the Ballroom at The Benson Hotel & Faculty Club (East side of the 2nd Floor).
Monday, March 9
| 6:00-7:00 am | Registration Open – Ballroom Foyer |
| 7:00-8:30 am | Breakfast – Ballroom Foyer |
| 8:30-9:00 am | Overview of the Immune System – Shiv Pillai, MD, PhD, Ragon Institute of MGH, MIT, and Harvard |
| 9:00-10:00 am | Innate Immune System Overview – Stephanie Eisenbarth, MD, PhD, Northwestern University |
| 10:00-10:15 am | Break |
| 10:15-11:15 am | Innate Immune Dysregulation: Genetic Defects, Immune Mechanisms, and Therapeutic Targets – Elena Hsieh, MD, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus |
| 11:15-11:30 am | Break |
| 11:30 am – 12:30 pm | NK Cells – Lewis Lanier, PhD, University of California, San Francisco |
| 12:30-1:30 pm | Lunch & Sponsor Presentation: Standard BioTools – Connie Inlay |
| 1:30-2:30 pm | Antigen Presentation – Lisa Denzin, PhD, Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine |
| 2:30-2:45 pm | Break |
| 2:45-3:45 pm | T Cell Tolerance – Mark Anderson, MD, PhD, University of California, San Francisco |
| 3:45-4:00 pm | Break |
| 4:00-5:00 pm | Lymphocyte Activation – Leslie Berg, PhD, University of Colorado – Anschutz Medical Campus |
| 5:00-5:20 pm | Sponsor Presentation: Sobi (IFNg Driven Hyperinflammation) – Christopher McPherson |
| 5:30-6:30 pm | Reception – The Living Room at The Benson Hotel & Faculty Club |
Tuesday, March 10
| 7:30-8:30 am | Breakfast – Ballroom Foyer |
| 8:30-9:30 am | CD4+ T Cell Subsets – Andrew Lichtman MD, PhD, Brigham and Women’s Hospital |
| 9:30-9:45 am | Break |
| 9:45-10:45 am | T-B Cell Collaboration – Shiv Pillai, MD, PhD, Ragon Institute of MGH, MIT, and Harvard |
| 10:45-11:00 am | Break |
| 11:00 am-12:00 pm | Antibodies and Disease – Shiv Pillai MD, PhD, Ragon Institute of MGH, MIT, and Harvard |
| 12:00-1:00 pm | Lunch – Ballroom Foyer |
| 1:00-2:00 pm | Mucosal Immunity – Cathryn Nagler, PhD, University of Chicago |
| 2:00-2:15 pm | Break |
| 2:15-3:15 pm | Allergies – Cathryn Nagler, PhD, University of Chicago |
Wednesday, March 11
| 7:00-8:00 am | Breakfast |
| 8:00-9:00 am | Transplantation – Jonathan Maltzman, MD, PhD, Stanford University |
| 9:00-9:15 am | Break |
| 9:15 -10:15 am | Primary Immunodeficiencies – Carrie Lucas, PhD, Yale University |
| 10:15-10:30 am | Break |
| 10:30-11:30 am | Cancer Immunity and Immunotherapy – Andrew Lichtman, MD, PhD, Brigham & Women’s Hospital |
| 11:30-11:45 am | Break |
| 11:45 am-12:45 pm | Autoimmunity – Terri Laufer, MD, Corporal Michael C. Crescenz (Philadelphia) VA Medical Center
University of Pennsylvania |
| 12:45 pm | Adjourn |
Networking
The course boasts a great location and activities to connect with attendees from similar and different backgrounds, including:
Restricted Class Size to Maximize Attendee Interactions
The Advanced Course has been held annually since 2006. Over the years, optimal class size has been defined that best maximize interactions between participants. The course attendance is restricted to maintain the optimal class size.
Faculty that are Approachable and Stay Onsite for the Duration of the Course
An important factor in attendee satisfaction is interaction with faculty. Past attendees rave about their access to faculty during the course. The faculty are available for the duration of the course and they encourage personal connections and conversations with attendees.
Several Networking Events held during the Course
The course program boasts many opportunities to meet new contacts. The course meals, breaks, and receptions are scheduled to encourage interaction between faculty and students outside of the lectures. The networking events are held in a relaxed environment to allow you to build a “course network” and leave with several new connections and friends.
Location
Join us in vibrant Aurora, Colorado for our immensely popular immunology retreat.
Aurora is located 15 miles South of the Denver International Airport.
As the most diverse city in Colorado, Aurora’s culturally robust restaurants, festivals, attractions and art scene will draw you in. Combine that with limitless outdoor recreation spaces and 13-minute drive to Denver, and you have an ideal destination.
Venue
The Benson Hotel & Faculty Club
13025 E Montview Blvd
Aurora, CO 80045
https://thebensonhotel.com/
Certificate of Attendance
Attendees who complete the online course evaluation may select to receive an electronic certificate of attendance.
Continuing Medical Education (CME)
To enable all those involved in the research and treatment of immune-mediated diseases to participate in the exchange of ideas that contribute to the forward motion of the field, FOCIS will not offer CME credit for the Advanced Course.
Photos
Promotions
2026 U.S. Advanced Course Updates
Stay up to date with the U.S. Advanced Course by following FOCIS social media accounts:
- Facebook: Federation of Clinical Immunology Societies
- X: @FOCISimmunology
- BlueSky: @focisimmunology.bsky.social
- LinkedIn: Federation of Clinical Immunology Societies (FOCIS)
- FOCIS FCE X: @Focis_FCE
Promotional Kit
Help us make the U.S. Advanced Course a success by promoting the course to your own network using the promotional items available in our promotional kit!
The kit includes:
- Electronic Graphics– graphics to use on social channels, websites, e-publications, and more!
- PowerPoint Slides– interested in sharing the Advanced Course at an upcoming talk or presentation? These slides can be included in any presentation slide deck.
- General Information Copy– informational text and general information to be used when promoting the Advanced Course in any capacity.
What Can You Do?
There are multiple ways you promote the U.S. Advanced Course:
- Share U.S. Advanced Course in emails, organization communications, and with your members
- Add the U.S. Advanced Course banners or logos to your website and event listing pages
- Raise awareness of the U.S. Advanced Course by promoting it on your social media channels
Contact Us
Do you have a specific promotion in mind? Need a specific size or format of the logo? Have another question?
Contact us at info@focsinet.org or (414) 359-1670.