Mission and Philosophy
Modern immunological techniques are sophisticated and powerful, and can be applied effectively to many basic and clinical projects.
However, it is difficult for any one investigator to become expert in all of these complex techniques and expertise in immunology is
typically spread across different Departments. The Human Immunology Center (HIC) within the David H. Smith Center for Vaccine Biology
and Immunology has been established to acquire, refine and develop expertise in cutting-edge techniques and to support applications in
Human Immunology research. The HIC is designed with capabilities to enhance multi-disciplinary research initiatives catalyzing key
clinical and basic immunology research in vaccines, HIV/AIDS, autoimmunity, allergy/asthma, transplantation as well as cancer immunology.
The overall Center Director is Dr. Tim Mosmann, and the HIC Laboratory Director
is Dr. Sally Quataert. The Center is overseen by an External Advisory Board, comprising leading immunologists with a broad range of interests,
and an Executive Committee, who decide priorities, evaluate Pilot Projects and choose candidates for training.
The Center provides training in immunological strategies and protocols through a training program,
and the goals of the Human Immunology Center are accomplished through:
1. The Human Immunology Core laboratory
2. Pilot Projects for innovative immunological research and technologies.