AABB Foundation Events at the 2026 Annual Meeting

At the 2026 AABB Annual Meeting in Atlanta, the AABB Foundation will host a series of events supporting the research and innovation that move our field forward.

As AABB’s philanthropic arm, the AABB Foundation has awarded more than $13 million in grants to more than 200 early-career investigators since 1983 — investments that further AABB’s mission of improving lives by making transfusion medicine and biotherapies safe, available and effective worldwide.

“The Foundation plays a meaningful role in supporting the future leaders of our field,” said Delisa English, president of the AABB Foundation. “We’re looking forward to celebrating that work with members and colleagues this fall, and we’re especially grateful to our event sponsors and individual contributors, whose generosity makes it possible.”

Here’s what attendees can look forward to:

Research & Development Summit
Friday, Oct. 16 | 3:00–5:00 p.m.| Room: Omni-International Ballroom D

Biotherapies are transforming treatment, yet expanding patient access depends on health care systems delivering these therapies safely, effectively and to everyone who needs them. This year’s Research & Development Summit brings together leaders from the U.S., Latin America and Europe to compare how their systems are meeting that challenge for HSCT, CAR-T and other advanced therapies. The discussion will highlight the evolving partnerships among hospitals, blood centers, academic centers, industry and regulatory organizations.

Moderator: Jose Cancelas, MD, PhD, CABP

Panelists: Frederick Appelbaum, MD · José Mauro Kutner, MD, PhD · Larry Luchsinger, PhD · Richard Schäfer, MD, FRSB

Run for Research & Sleep-In for Research
Sunday, Oct. 18 | 7:00–8:30 a.m.

The Run for Research is the annual 5K race and 1-mile walk, bringing attendees together to raise funds and visibility for critical research in blood and biotherapies. Would you rather hit the pillow instead of the pavement? Sign up for Sleep-In for Research instead. Both can be added during Annual Meeting registration.

From Data to Impact: How to Build and Deliver Memorable Scientific Presentations
Sunday, Oct. 18 | 2 – 3 pm | Room: GWCC B407

Presenting scientific findings is a critical skill for investigators at every career stage, yet few receive formal training in how to design and deliver an effective scientific talk. Whether presenting a 10-minute abstract, a conference lecture or a grant-related research update, speakers must make thoughtful decisions about audience, structure, content and delivery to ensure their work is understood and remembered.

This interactive session will explore the principles of effective scientific communication, focusing on how to transform complex data into a compelling scientific story. Through examples, audience discussion and live critique of presentation slides, attendees will learn practical strategies for developing clear messages, designing impactful slides and delivering presentations with confidence.

Speakers: Eldad Hod, MD · Krystalyn E. Hudson, PhD · Ethan Mack, MD, PhD

AABB Closing Celebration
Monday, Oct. 19 | 5:30–7:30 p.m.| Room: GWCC B5 Thomas Murphy 2-3

All registered attendees are invited to gather with colleagues and friends at the AABB Closing Celebration, marking the official conclusion of the Annual Meeting. The Closing Celebration also serves as the AABB Foundation’s Annual Meeting fundraiser, supported through the President’s Circle.

Donors are recognized in the AABB2026 President’s Circle Honor Roll and celebrated at the Closing Celebration. You can add a President’s Circle donation when you register for the Annual Meeting.

AABB Foundation Grant Recipient Presentations

Each of these investigators will share the results from work the AABB Foundation helped make possible.

Jim Ropa, PhD, Indiana University School of Medicine
2025 Cord Blood Research Grant Recipient
Presentation Title: Omics Identification of Potency Associated Genes in Umbilical Cord Blood: Predictive Tools and Expansion Targets.

Monday, Oct. 19 | 4:30 – 5:30 p.m. | Room: GWCC B406

Katherine Risvold, Circulate
2025 Process Development Grant Recipient
Session: How Quickly Can We Build up the National Blood Supply? Measuring Shocks to the U.S. Blood Supply Through Real-time Data and Case Studies on Disruption, Supply-chain Stress, and System Recovery.

Saturday, Oct. 17 | 10:45 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. | Room: GWCC B313-B314

Shang Chuen “Peter” Wu, PhD, Harvard Medical School
2026 AABB Foundation Scholar
Session: Oral Abstract Spotlight Session: Basic Science Insights into Red Blood Cells and Platelets
Presentation Title: Innate Drivers of Adaptive Immune Responses Relevant to Transfusion Medicine

Sunday, Oct. 18 | 9:45 – 11:00 a.m. | Room: GWCC B407

Tamar Feldman, PhD, American Red Cross
2026 AABB Foundation Scholar
Session:Oral Abstract Session: Improvement in Platelet Transfusion Availability & Outcomes
Presentation Title: Platelet Labeling for In Vivo Platelet Kinetics Evaluation: Alternative Labeling Approaches

Date: Sunday, Oct. 18 | Time: 4:30 – 5:45 p.m. | Room: GWCC B404

Liang Zheng, PhD, University of Kansas Medical Center
2026 AABB Foundation Scholar
Session: Oral Abstract Session: Advancing Transfusion Through Training, Innovation, and Education
Presentation Title: Ankrd26, Thrombocytopenia 2 and TTP

Monday, Oct. 19 | 8:15 – 9:15 a.m.  Room: GWCC B407