Bursky Annual Symposium

Each year the Bursky Center for Human Immunology & Immunotherapy Programs hosts an annual symposium which profiles advances in the field of human immunology. 

Mark your calendars for March 19, 2020 for the Fourth Annual Bursky Symposium.

Jump to a section below to see highlights from past symposiums:

Third Annual Symposium Highlights

On Tuesday, March 7, 2019, the third annual symposium was held.  The symposium featured distinguished scientists including a Nobel Prize Laureate and profiled remarkable advances in the development of treatment options for cancer, infectious diseases, autoimmune disorders, and brain tumors.  The following list highlights featured talks:

  • “Immune Checkpoint Blockade in Cancer Therapy: Historical Perspective, New Insights, and Prospects for Cures”
    James P. Allison, PhD
    Professor and Chair, Department of Immunology
    University of Texas, MD Anderson Cancer Center
    Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine 2018
  • “ILC Recognition of Tumor Cells”
    Marco Colonna, MD
    Robert Rock Belliveau MD Professor, Pathology & Immunology
  • “Human Tuberculosis: A moving target”
    Shabaana Khader, PhD
    Professor and Interim Chair, Molecular Microbiology
  • “Genetic Variants in Complement Regulators Causing Human Disease”
    John P. Atkinson, MD
    Samuel B. Grant Professor, Medicine, Division of Rheumatology
    Professor, Molecular Microbiology
Robert Schrieber, PhD and James P. Allison, PhD

Second Annual Symposium Highlights

On Tuesday, February 27, 2018, the second annual symposium was held.  The symposium featured distinguished scientists and profiled remarkable advances in the development of treatment options for cancer, infectious diseases, autoimmune disorders, and brain tumors.  The following list highlights featured talks:

  • “Impressions of the New NCI Director”
    Norman E. “Ned” Sharpless, MD
    Director, National Cancer Institute
  • “Things I Learned at Washington University and Industry about Drug Discovery and Development”
    Philip Needleman, PhD
    Professor & Chair Emeritus, Department of Pharmacology
  • “Leveraging Neoantigen Discovery in Glioblastoma”
    Gavin Dunn, MD, PhD
    Assistant Professor of Neurological Surgery, Pathology & Immunology
    Bursky Scholar
  • “One in a Billion: Diagnosis and Treatment of Rare Pediatric Immune Diseases”
    Megan Cooper, MD, PhD
    Assistant Professor of Pediatrics, Pathology & Immunology
  • “From Autoimmunity to Zika: Understanding Links between Cell-Intrinsic Innate Immunity, Viruses and Autoimmunity”
    Jonathan Miner, MD, PhD
    Assistant Professor of Medicine, Molecular Microbiology, Pathology & Immunology
  • Robert Schreiber, PhD, left, and Andrew Bursky
  • Andrew Bursky, left, and Robert Schreiber, PhD, enjoy a moment during the welcome to The Burksy Center at Washington University 2nd Annual Symposium
  • Robert Schreiber, PhD
  • Emil R. Unanue, MD
  • Maxim Artyomov, PhD, center, is awarded the Emil R. Unanue Award by Emil R. Unanue, MD, left, and Andrew Bursky, right
  • NCI Director Norman E. "Ned" Sharpless, MD, gives a keynote speech "Impressions of the New NCI Director"
  • NCI Director Norman E. "Ned" Sharpless, MD, gives a keynote speech "Impressions of the New NCI Director"
  • Audience members
  • Audience members
  • Philip Needleman, PhD
  • Vicky Fraser, MD, head of the Department of Medicine, listens to the lectures
  • Philip Needleman, PhD, gives a keynote speech "Things I Learned at Washington University and Industry about Drug Discovery and Development"
  • Andrew and Jane Bursky
  • Siteman Cancer Center Director Timothy Eberlein, left, Andrew Bursky, NCI Director Norman E. "Ned" Sharpless, MD, and Robert Schreiber, PhD
  • Dennis Hallahan, MD, Chairman of the Department of Radiation Oncology, left, Timothy Eberlein, MD, Director of Siteman Cancer Center, NCI Director Norman E. "Ned" Sharpless, MD, and Robert Schreiber, PhD, talk during a break.
  • Dennis Hallahan, MD, Chairman of the Department of Radiation Oncology, left, Timothy Eberlein, MD, Director of Siteman Cancer Center, NCI Director Norman E. "Ned" Sharpless, MD, and Robert Schreiber, PhD, talk during a break.
  • Gavin Dunn, MD, PhD, gives his talk "Leveraging Neoantigen Discovery in Glioblastoma"
  • Gavin Dunn, MD, PhD, gives his talk "Leveraging Neoantigen Discovery in Glioblastoma"
  • Megan Cooper, MD, PhD, gives her talk "One in a Billion: Diagnosis and Treatment of Rare Pediatric Immune Diseases"
  • Megan Cooper, MD, PhD, gives her talk "One in a Billion: Diagnosis and Treatment of Rare Pediatric Immune Diseases"
  • Jonathan Miner, MD, PhD gives his talk "From Autoimmunity to Zika: Understanding Links between Cell-Intrinsic Innate Immunity, Viruses and Autoimmunity"
  • Jonathan Miner, MD, PhD gives his talk "From Autoimmunity to Zika: Understanding Links between Cell-Intrinsic Innate Immunity, Viruses and Autoimmunity"
  • John DiPersio, MD, PhD
  • Dean David Perlmutter, foreground, and Provost Holden Thorp
  • NCI Director Norman E. "Ned" Sharpless, MD, left, talks with Siteman Cancer Center Director Timothy Eberlein, MD, before the The Burksy Center at Washington University 2nd Annual Symposium
  • NCI Director Norman E. "Ned" Sharpless, MD, Clay Thorp, Provost Holden Thorp and Dean David Perlmutter
  • Timothy Eberlein, MD, Director of Siteman Cancer Center, left, NCI Director Norman E. "Ned" Sharpless, MD, Provost Holden Thorp, and Dean David Perlmutter

Inaugural Symposium Highlights

On Thursday, February 2, 2017, the inaugural symposium was held.  The symposium featured distinguished scientists and profiled remarkable advances in the development of treatment options for cancer, infectious diseases, autoimmune disorders, and brain tumors.  The following list highlights featured talks:

  • “Advances in Personalized Cancer Immunotherapy”
    Robert D. Schreiber, PhD
    Andrew M. and Jane M. Bursky Distinguished Professor
    Director, Andrew M. and Jane M. Bursky Center for Human Immunology & Immunotherapy Programs
  • “New Insights into Human Diseases Caused by Immune System Dysfunction”
    Wayne M. Yokoyama, MD
    Sam J. Levin and Audrey Lowe Levin Professor of Arthritis Research
    Associate Director, Andrew M. and Jane M. Bursky Center for Human Immunology & Immunotherapy Programs
  • “Discoveries in Basic Biology of Infectious Diseases and Their Rapid Transition to Drug and Vaccine”
    Michael S. Diamond, MD, PhD
    Herbert S. Gasser Professor
    Associate Director, Andrew M. and Jane M. Bursky Center for Human Immunology & Immunotherapy Programs
  • “Innovation, Crisis and the Role of Biotechnology”
    Robert I. Tepper, MD
    Partner and Co-Founder, Third Rock Ventures, LLC
  • “Building Better Medicines: The Role of the Biopharmaceutical Industry”
    Roger M. Perlmutter, MD, PhD
    Executive Vice President, Merck & Co.
    President, Merck Research Laboratories
  • The Bursky Center at Washington University Inaugural Symposium and the Andrew M. and Jane M. Bursky Distinguished Professorship Installation held on Thursday, February 2, 2017
  • Mr. Andrew Bursky and Dean David Perlmutter confer before the symposium.
  • Dean David Perlmutter opens the inaugural symposium.
  • Chancellor Mark Wrighton welcomes everyone and introduces the Burskys.
  • Chancellor Wrighton
  • Unveiling of the plaque honoring the creation of the Bursky Center. Dean Perlmutter, Andy Bursky, Jane Bursky, Bob Schreiber and Chancellor Wrighton (left to right).
  • Dean Perlmutter, Andy Bursky, Jane Bursky, Bob Schreiber and Chancellor Wrighton after unveiling the plaque.
  • Chancellor Wrighton honors Jane and Andy Bursky by reading the plaque dedication.
  • Mr. Andy Bursky opens the inaugural Bursky Center symposium and introduces Dr. Robert Schreiber.
  • Andy Bursky
  • Dr. Robert Schreiber delivers the opening presentation entitled Advances in Personalized Cancer Immunotherapy.
  • Bob Schreiber
  • Associate Director Dr. Wayne Yokoyama presents New Insights into Human Diseases Caused by Immune System Dysfunction.
  • Associate Director Dr. Michael Diamond explores Discoveries in Basic Biology of Infectious Diseases and Their Rapid Transition to Drug and Vaccine.
  • Dr. Bob Tepper, Partner & Co-Founder of Third Rock Ventures, discusses Innovation, Crisis and the Role of Biotechnology.
  • Dr. Bob Tepper
  • Dr. Roger Perlmutter, Executive Vice President of Merck & Co., presents Building Better Medicines: The Role of Biopharmaceutical Industry.
  • Dr. Roger Perlmutter
  • Mr. Andy Bursky thanks speakers & special guests and closes the inaugural sympoisum.
  • Dale Schreiber and Andy Bursky
  • Wayne Yokoyama, Bob Tepper and Bob Schreiber
  • Bob Schreiber and Chancellor Emeritus Dr. William H. Danforth
  • Andy Bursky and Chancellor Danforth
  • Bob Schreiber, Dean Perlmutter, Andy Bursky, Emil Unanue
  • Dean Perlmutter and Andy Bursky
  • Bob Schreiber and Dean Emeritus Larry Shapiro
  • Dean Shapiro and Wayne Yokoyama
  • Provost Holden Thorp and Dr. Vicky Fraser
  • Special Guest Dr. Phil Greenberg (Head of Immunology at University of Washington-Seattle) and Bob Schreiber
  • Roger Perlmutter, Mike Diamond, Andy Bursky
  • Chancellor Wrighton presents Mr. & Mrs. Bursky with their medallions during the Andrew M. and Jane M. Bursky Distinguished Professorship Installation Ceremony.
  • Dean Perlmutter, Bob Schreiber, Chancellor Wrighton, Jane Bursky, and Andy Bursky
  • Andy Bursky thanks Chancellor Wrighton.
  • Chancellor Wrighton bestows upon Dr. Robert D. Schreiber the Andrew M. and Jane M. Bursky Distinguished Professor medallion.
  • Bob Schreiber thanks Andy & Jane Bursky as Chancellor Wrighton and Dean Perlmutter congratulate him.
  • Chancellor Wrighton, Andy Bursky, Bob Schreiber, Jane Bursky, Dean Perlmutter
  • Dr. Skip Virgin, Chair of the Department of Pathology & Immunology, formally introduces Dr. Robert Schreiber during the installation ceremony.
  • Dr. Robert D. Schreiber presents his lecture on Tumor Specific Neoantigens: From Cancer Immunoediting to Personalized Cancer Vaccines.
  • Robert D. Schreiber, PhD
  • Distinguished guests applaud Dr. Schreiber's presentation on novel advances in cancer immunotherapy.
  • Wayne Yokoyama, special guest Dr. Linda Miller (Executive Editor of AACR's Cancer Immunology Research) and Bob Schreiber
  • Congratulations to Bob Schreiber.
  • Vicky Fraser and Wayne Yokoyama
  • Chancellor Wrighton hosts a special dinner for Dr. Bob Schreiber and his honorary guests at the St. Louis Club.
  • Chancellor Wrighton and Dr. Emil Unanue, the Paul & Ellen Lacy Professor of Pathology & Immunology
  • Chancellor Wrighton, Andy Bursky, Jane Bursky, Bob Schreiber, and Dean Perlmutter
  • Andy Bursky, Jane Bursky, and Bob Schreiber
  • Andy and Jane Bursky
  • Bob Schreiber, Dale Schreiber, Jane Bursky and Andy Bursky
  • Celebratory Toast