WELCOME!

We welcome you all to Toronto, Canada, for the 5^th Annual Americas School of Neuroimmunology (ASNI) conference from July 22-25, 2024. As co-organizers of this meeting, Dr. Veronica Miron (Keenan Research Centre for Biomedical Science, University of Toronto) and Dr. Olga Rojas (Krembil Research Institute, University of Toronto), we are thrilled to be your local hosts alongside the ASNI organizers Dr. Wee Yong (University of Calgary) and Dr. Tika Benveniste (University of Alabama at Birmingham).

Our primary goal for this conference is to support the development of trainees and early career researchers in neuroimmunology, by providing stimulating lectures given by world leading experts from North and South America, fostering networking opportunities, and giving the opportunity for trainees to showcase their work. We also welcome established researchers and industry personnel wishing to be updated on many biological and pathological aspects of inflammation in the nervous system. The ASNI schools have earned a well-deserved reputation as forums for introductory and deep learnings in neuroimmunology, and the 5^th School intends to excel further.

We are particularly proud to host the ASNI meeting at The University of Toronto (UoT), ranked #1 in Canada and #2 in the world for ‘University Ranking by Academic Performance’. Founded in 1827, UoT has a long-standing reputation for excellence in medical research, being the site of Nobel prize-winning discoveries on insulin, hematopoietic stem cells, the T cell receptor, homologous recombination of DNA, and invention of the pacemaker. Our burgeoning neuroimmunology community is bolstered by one of the largest Multiple Sclerosis Clinics in North America, and world-leading research programs in MS, Alzheimer’s disease, traumatic brain injury, and dementia.

The conference will be held at the oldest of UoT’s campuses, St. George campus, which houses university buildings in the Gothic style interlaced with green spaces, all while being in the heart of vibrant downtown Toronto. A short subway ride away or even within short walking distance are the popular tourist destinations the CN tower, the Royal Ontario Museum, Ripley’s Acquarium of Canada, the house of the Toronto Blue Jays baseball team at Rogers Centre, St. Lawrence market, the Hockey Hall of Fame, and the Harbourfront.

Toronto is a fantastic destination for the summer. Situated on Lake Ontario, it has the ideal combination of top-notch restaurants, night life, and attractions, balanced with the relaxing beach holiday-feel of the Toronto Islands just a short water taxi away. Come taste our culinary delicacies, poutines and Beavertails, or enjoy the Jazz festival at the Beaches.  You can take a 35 minute worry-free trip into the city from Pearson International airport to the Toronto Downtown area by using the UP Express to Toronto Union Station ($12 CAD) or for those coming from nearby cities of Montreal, Ottawa, Boston, Chicago, Washington, or New York, the Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport (YTZ) connects directly to downtown through a free 15 minute shuttle bus. Alternatively, trains to Toronto’s Union Station arrive directly to the downtown core.

Please join us for the ASNI conference this July 22-25 in Toronto. We look forward to seeing you!

Dr. Veronique Miron