AABB Foundation Events at the 2025 Annual Meeting

AABB and the AABB Foundation are already amid planning for the 2025 AABB Annual Meeting, to be held Oct. 25-28 in San Diego, Calif. The AABB Foundation will host a variety of events in conjunction with the AABB Annual Meeting, all of which promote scientific research, innovation, collaboration and networking for the blood and biotherapies community.

The AABB Foundation serves the fields of transfusion medicine and biotherapies through grants, education, industry leadership and engagement. Thanks to the generosity of our community, the AABB Foundation is fueling innovative research that strengthens the AABB mission of improving lives by making transfusion medicine and biotherapies safe, available and effective worldwide. Since its inception in 1983, the Foundation has provided more than $12 million in grant funding to more than 200 investigators at the start of their careers, many of whom have become leading experts in their fields.

“One of the many important aspects of AABB is the Foundation, and it plays an important role at the Annual Meeting,” stated Richard Schäfer, MD, FRSB, president of the AABB Foundation Board of Directors. “We’re excited to connect with AABB members and Foundation supporters at this year’s events and extend a special thank you to the Foundation event sponsors for their commitment to supporting our vital scientific research mission.”

Here are just a few of the AABB Foundation’s events that attendees can look forward to at the 2025 AABB Annual Meeting:

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Research & Development Summit

Friday, Oct. 24

1:30 – 3 p.m.

The Research & Development Summit is for executive leaders and is designed to foster collaboration and inspire innovation. This exciting event will gather researchers, clinicians and industry professionals to discuss emerging trends and breakthroughs in transfusion medicine and biotherapies. Highlights include keynote presentations, interactive panels and opportunities for attendees to share insights and spark partnerships that could redefine the future of patient care. Representatives from corporate industry, academia, blood centers and additional stakeholders in health care will be attending. Registration is limited, and pre-registration is required.

“We look forward to bringing together senior leaders and key expert researchers for a dynamic dialogue during the Annual Meeting,” stated Jerry Holmberg, PhD, who is leading the planning for the R&D Summit. “The discussions between researchers, blood and biotherapy communities and industry at their various intersections will identify risks, resilience and response to current challenges  – a pivotal topic that will drive progress and solutions for our field.” 

Reception for Research: A Party with a Purpose!

Friday, Oct. 24

6 − 7:30 p.m.

The Party with a Purpose is a popular reception that brings attendees together to celebrate and support advancements in scientific research. Attendees will include industry supporters and executives, leaders in scientific research and AABB Foundation grant recipients.

“Your attendance at the reception will help support and honor all those working to make a difference in the lives of patients and donors worldwide,” said Schäfer. “Please join us!”

Institutions and companies are encouraged to attend the Party with a Purpose reception. For bulk ticket sales for your staff teams, please contact foundation@aabb.org.

Demystifying the Grant Review Process: A Mock Study Section

Saturday, Oct. 25

9:30 - 10:30 a.m.

For many early-career investigators, the grant review process can feel like a “black box.” Most applications are evaluated by anonymous peer-review panels, yet few researchers gain first-hand insight into the process until they’ve secured funding themselves. This AABB Foundation session aims to bridge that gap. In the first half, experienced reviewers will conduct a live “mock study section,” evaluating a real grant application. Attendees will observe the full process, including discussion, critique of strengths and weaknesses, and scoring. In the second half, the reviewers will form an expert panel to answer audience questions—both about the mock grant review session and their experiences on actual study sections.

Research Symposium & Luncheon

Saturday, Oct. 25

12:15 – 1:30 p.m.

For more than four decades, the AABB Foundation has infused the transfusion medicine and biotherapies fields with innovative scientific research and pioneering leaders. The symposium brings this science into an interactive scientific showcase where the AABB Foundation grant and award recipients are featured among those presenting their research work. Registration is limited, and pre-registration is required.

“The AABB Foundation is committed to helping investigators establish and build their research careers,” said Krystalyn Hudson, PhD, chair of the Foundation’s Scientific Research Grants Review Committee, which identifies promising early-career researchers for grant funding. “The research funded by the AABB Foundation has led to advances across many disciplines. It’s always exciting to hear from AABB Foundation grant recipients about their research findings that can have a positive impact on patients and donors.”

Run for Research/Sleep-In for Research

Sunday, Oct. 26

7 – 8:30 a.m. (Race ends at approximately 8:30 a.m. or when the last participant finishes)

Lace up your sneakers for the annual AABB Foundation Run for Research. Whether you run at a record-breaking pace or prefer a casual walk, your participation is important. Registration proceeds help fund innovative scientific research and support the careers of future leaders in transfusion medicine and biotherapies. Institutions and companies are encouraged to participate in the run/walk. For bulk ticket sales for your staff teams, please contact foundation@aabb.org.

In Person – Join us in the morning for a 5K run or 1-mile walk through the designated course. A grab-and-go breakfast and a commemorative T-shirt are included with your registration.

Sleep In – Hit the pillow instead of the pavement! Sleep in for research and still support innovative scientific breakthroughs and future leaders in the field with your registration. A commemorative T-shirt is included.

Thank you to the AABB Foundation event sponsors to date for their generous financial support

For inquiries and AABB Foundation sponsorships, please contact foundation@aabb.org.