3 Pitt faculty were honored by the American Association of Immunologists

Three faculty members in the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine were recently honored by the American Association of Immunologists (AAI).

Distinguished Professor of Immunology Dario A.A. Vignali, who also serves as chair of the Department of Immunology, and Gerald P. Rodnan Professor Sarah Gaffen were named 2026 Distinguished Fellows — one of the highest honors bestowed by the organization.

The award, which recognizes AAI members for distinguished careers, outstanding scientific contributions and exemplary service to both association and the broader immunology community, is reserved for active, long-term members with 25 or more years of cumulative membership who have demonstrated excellence in research, exceptional leadership or notable distinction as educators. Vignali and Gaffen were honored on April 15 at the AAI IMMUNOLOGY2026 meeting in Boston.

Other AAI Distinguished Fellows from Pitt include JoAnne Flynn, Mark Shlomchik, Anuradha Ray and Olivera “Olja” Finn, who was awarded AAI’s 2026 Excellence in Mentoring Award in recognition of her exemplary career contributions to a future generation of scientists.

The Distinguished Professor of Immunology was also previously awarded the AAI Lifetime Achievement Award in 2016 and formerly served as the association’s president.

“Of all the awards I have received, this one is by far the sweetest,” said Finn. “It means a lot because it recognizes that you didn’t get to this point in your career alone. Science is a family business.”

She was presented with the award during the president’s symposium at AAI’s IMMUNOLOGY2026 meeting on April 18.