Inside the 2025 AABB Annual Meeting: First-time Attendees Reflect on Their Experiences

The 2025 AABB Annual Meeting in San Diego united thousands of professionals from the blood and biotherapies community. Throughout the meeting, attendees learned about emerging research during expert-led sessions, connected with colleagues from throughout the world, participated in discussions on the field’s critical issues, discovered the latest technology advances in the Exhibit Hall and expanded their global professional networks.

First-time attendees Monike A. M. Oliveira, MS; and Chelsea Perkins, MLS (ASCP)^CM, share their experiences and memorable moments in San Diego below.

First Time at AABB Annual Meeting: A Brazilian Researcher’s Perspective

By Monike A. M. Oliveira, MS
PhD Candidate Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, Brazil

Attending the 2025 AABB Annual Meeting in San Diego was one of those experiences that stay with you long after the event is over. I recently completed my master’s degree and began my PhD this year, and traveling from São Paulo, Brazil, to present my work at an international conference for the first time felt both surreal and deeply meaningful. Although I had participated in several national meetings in hematology and transfusion medicine, being selected for both an oral and poster presentation felt like an important recognition of the work our group has been doing in Brazil.

What made the meeting remarkable went far beyond the presentations themselves. The atmosphere at the AABB Annual Meeting is unlike anything I had experienced before. It is a place where science feels alive and people gather not only to share data, but to genuinely exchange ideas and challenge each other to improve patient care and advance the field together. For a young researcher, it was energizing to be surrounded by that level of innovation and knowledge.

I had the chance to listen to experts in immunohematology and transfusion medicine, which was a great learning experience. Some attendees had seen my presentation and came to talk to me about our findings in the Brazilian Sickle Cell Disease cohort. Others were simply curious about the research being done in Brazil and excited to connect.

Throughout the four days, I spoke with colleagues from the United States, South Africa and Saudi Arabia, in addition to running into fellow Brazilians who were also presenting their work. I even met a few Americans who spoke Portuguese, which made those conversations especially fun.

What surprised me most was how welcoming everyone was. People approached me not only with scientific questions, but also with genuine interest in my background, and what it means to study RH variant diversity in a country as diverse as Brazil. That sense of community and the willingness to learn from one another was one of the highlights of the entire experience.

And of course, doing all of this with a view of the San Diego Marina and evenings spent discovering new restaurants did not hurt. It was the perfect balance between science, networking and taking in a beautiful city!

I am grateful for the opportunity to represent the University of São Paulo and the REDS (Recipient Epidemiology and Donor Evaluation Study) Brazil research group, and for all the support that made this experience possible. AABB created an inspiring environment, and being part of it as a PhD student was truly unforgettable.

My First Annual Meeting: An Unforgettable Experience

By Chelsea Perkins, Components Laboratory Manager
Kentucky Blood Center, Lexington, KY

Attending my first AABB Annual Meeting was an unforgettable experience, made even more special because it was also my first visit to San Diego. The beautiful view of the San Diego Bay set the perfect backdrop for five days of professional growth alongside my team. This conference also marked an important milestone in my career, as it was my first major professional event since completing my MLS degree and certification, an achievement that has renewed my passion for learning.

One highlight was visiting and touring the San Diego Blood Bank.

Discussing Terumo’s Reveos Automated Blood Processing System and how it has transformed the facility’s blood collections and whole blood processing was both fascinating and inspiring, offering perspectives I hope to bring back to Kentucky Blood Center. Throughout the Annual Meeting, I found myself wishing I could attend multiple sessions at once, as many sounded interesting and offered new ideas and perspectives to the ever-evolving world of blood banking. I especially enjoyed visiting the Exhibit Hall, where I was introduced to many new and different pieces of technology and equipment. The free swag and professional photos were also a fun perk!

It is important to always keep an open mind to change (which I know is scary!) and be willing to listen to new ideas that could improve your own center’s processing. Staying open to different techniques is essential for continuous improvement, and the 2025 AABB Annual Meeting reinforced that belief between the engaging sessions and the packed Exhibit Hall. No matter what, change will always be on the horizon; AABB will be there for you to keep you one step ahead!