"Regulation of PD-1 gene expression."
Jeremy M. Boss, Ph.D.
Professor & Chair, Department of Microbiology & Immunology
Associate Dean for Basic Research and Research Support/Infrastructure
Emory University School of Medicine
About Speaker: Dr. Jeremy M. Boss is an internationally recognized immunologist and molecular biologist, currently serving as Professor and Chair of the Department of Microbiology & Immunology at Emory University School of Medicine. He also holds the position of Associate Dean for Basic Research and Research Support/Infrastructure at Emory. A distinguished scientist with over four decades of experience, Dr. Boss has made seminal contributions to the fields of immunology, molecular genetics, and epigenetics, with a focus on immune system gene regulation, autoimmune diseases, and B and T cell differentiation.
Dr. Boss earned his B.S. and M.S. in Biology from the State University of New York at Albany, where he also completed his Ph.D. in Biology in 1982, under the mentorship of Dr. Richard S. Zitomer. His doctoral research focused on yeast genetics and molecular biology. After completing a postdoctoral fellowship at Harvard University in the laboratory of Dr. Jack L. Strominger, where he cloned and sequenced major histocompatibility complex class II genes and defined the fundamental elements regulating these genes, Dr. Boss began his academic career at Emory University in 1986.
Dr. Boss is a renowned expert in the regulation of immune response genes, particularly in the areas of major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class II genes and the PD-1 immune checkpoint pathway. His research is currently focused on the molecular and epigenetic mechanisms that regulate immune cell differentiation, autoimmunity, immune response to viral infections, and the roles of chromatin remodeling proteins in controlling gene expression and cell fate decisions. Dr. Boss has authored or co-authored over 175 peer-reviewed publications in top-tier journals, reflecting his substantial contributions to the fields of immunology and molecular biology. Dr. Boss has an H-index of 81. Dr. Boss has also received substantial research funding from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and other major organizations, supporting his extensive work on immune regulation in both health and disease.
Throughout his career, Dr. Boss has been a prominent leader in scientific organizations, serving as President of the American Association of Immunologists (AAI) and President of the Association of Medical School Microbiology and Immunology Chairs (AMSMIC). He has received numerous honors and awards, including the Distinguished Service Award from the AAI and the Scientific Integrity Award from Emory University School of Medicine. He is a member of the Henry Kunkel Society, a Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS), and a Distinguished Fellow of the AAI.
Dr. Boss is deeply committed to the mentorship and development of young scientists. He has guided numerous graduate students, postdoctoral fellows, and early-career faculty members, providing them with the tools and guidance needed to excel in both research and leadership roles. Dr. Boss has played an integral role in shaping the careers of many who have gone on to hold faculty positions at top academic institutions, contribute to industry research, and lead scientific initiatives around the world. He coauthored a “how to” book as a guide to aspiring scientists wishing to embark on careers in academia: Academic Scientists at Work: Navigating the Biomedical Research Career.
In addition to his research and leadership roles, Dr. Boss has held multiple key positions in graduate programs at Emory University, including Program Director and Director of Graduate Studies for the Program in Genetics and Molecular Biology where he also served as the Principal Investigator on a T32 training grant. He has also served as Editor-in-Chief of The Journal of Immunology, where his vision helped strengthen the journal’s impact on the immunology field.
Dr. Boss’ work continues to shape the future of immunological research, with an emphasis on understanding the molecular mechanisms of immune function and translating these insights into better treatments for autoimmune diseases and other immune-related disorders.