Catherine “Lynn” Hedrick, co-director of the Immunology Center of Georgia at Augusta University and a Georgia Research Alliance Bradley Turner Eminent Scholar in Vascular and Cancer Immunology, was recently appointed to the Board of Directors of the Southeastern Immunology Symposium and the Board of Trustees for the Georgia Research Alliance, according to a March 17 announcement.
Hedrick’s appointments highlight her ongoing contributions to research on immune cells such as monocytes and neutrophils. These cells play a key role as first responders in infections, wounds, and early cancer by cleaning up dead cells, attacking viruses and tumors, and alerting other parts of the immune system.
Throughout her career, Hedrick has focused on understanding how these immune cells influence disease. Her work has made her a leading expert in immunology related to heart disease and cancer. “I’m truly honored to work more closely with both organizations,” Hedrick said. “The Georgia Research Alliance and its Board of Trustees have an extraordinary commitment to advancing research and innovation across Georgia and have been steadfast supporters of my own research program. The Southeastern Immunology Symposium is a vibrant and collaborative regional conference that showcases the exceptional science taking place across 12 universities throughout the Southeast, and I’m excited to help support its continued growth and impact.”
As Conference Chair-Elect for the Southeastern Immunology Symposium, Hedrick will become Conference Committee Chair in 2027 when Augusta University co-hosts the annual meeting with the Medical University of South Carolina. Sophie Paczesny from MUSC will serve as co-chair alongside Hedrick for that event. The 2026 symposium will be hosted by Emory University in Asheville, North Carolina from June 2-5. For that year’s event, Hedrick is also serving on both the Conference Committee and Organizing Committee along with Hossam Abdelsamed from Augusta University.
The Immunology Center of Georgia will have further representation at the 2026 symposium through scheduled presentations by Nicholas R.J. Gascoigne and Marco Orecchioni. Gascoigne holds distinguished positions within Augusta University’s Department of Medicine while Orecchioni is an assistant professor affiliated with pharmacology.
The Southeastern Immunology Symposium is a nonprofit organization dedicated to health care, science, education, networking among immunologists in the southeastern United States, fostering collaboration through its annual symposium.
Hedrick joined the GRA Board of Trustees at its January 29 meeting as an ex officio trustee representing GRA’s Academy of Scholars alongside Augusta University President Russell T. Keen. The GRA is a nonprofit public-private partnership working with state agencies to unify research institutions across Georgia for cross-university projects—an approach seen as important for securing federal funding opportunities.
