Curt Horvath named President-Elect of the International Cytokine and Interferon Society (ICIS)

Curt Horvath has been nominated as the President-Elect of the International Cytokine and Interferon Society (ICIS). Horvath is professor of molecular biosciences at Northwestern University.

“I was privileged to be nominated for the President-Elect of the ICIS, and I am humbled by the outcome of the election. I am looking forward to working with our Executive Council and administration to advance awareness and discovery in this incredibly important field of biomedical research,” expressed Horvath, who will serve two years as President-Elect, followed by two years as President.

The ICIS stands as a global hub for outstanding researchers who are deeply committed to unraveling the complexities of basic and applied cytokine biology, the fundamental details of human immunology, and allied disciplines related to infection, health, and therapeutic interventions.

Horvath’s vision as President-Elect revolves around fostering inclusivity and championing scientific pursuits in the cytokine-focused community.

“My goal for leading the ICIS is to continue to embrace and honor the diversity among the membership and serve as champion for all of our prominent scientific pursuits in a powerful cytokine-focused community. The ICIS and its annual meetings create an accessible, inclusive, and welcoming environment for all our new trainees, colleagues, and collaborators throughout the world to freely exchange results and ideas,” Horvath highlighted.

By advocating for the ICIS and its members, Horvath hopes to drive increased awareness and funding for science, ultimately amplifying the society’s international standing.

“In these times of ‘anti-science’, our society provides a high degree of visibility in support of scientific research. I hope that my advocacy for ICIS and its members will bring increased awareness and funding for science, and elevate the status and success of our growing international membership,” said Horvath.

The ICIS, comprising nearly 2,000 scientists and physicians from 44 countries, has emerged as a driving force in cytokine biology. This organization holds immense significance in an era where cytokine biomarkers and cytokine therapeutics are revolutionizing modern medicine. Notably, these advancements are opening doors to innovative treatments across a spectrum of diseases, including autoimmune diseases, cancer, infectious diseases, and inflammation.

Horvath’s dedication to cytokine research goes hand in hand with his commitment to facilitating collaboration between seasoned researchers and young investigators. The society actively nurtures the development of junior investigators, postdoctoral researchers, and graduate/medical students through prestigious travel grants and career development awards. By fostering these interactions, the ICIS cultivates a rich environment for the exchange of ideas and knowledge.

Horvath’s research focuses on cytokine signal transduction and gene regulation during the human cellular response to virus infections and cancer.  His research projects use molecular and biochemical approaches to study the mechanisms underlying cellular recognition of and response to RNA viruses, and the evolution of virus-encoded immune evasion strategies.