Randy R. Brutkiewicz, PhD, professor of microbiology and immunology at the IU School of Medicine, was recently named a 2024 Distinguished Fellow by the American Association of Immunologists (AAI). The AAI fellows program, established in 2019, honors individuals for distinguished careers and outstanding scientific achievements, as well as service to AAI and the community. In addition, AAI distinguished fellows have made significant contributions as educators. Brutkiewicz, one of 22 individuals earning the honor this year, has been a member of AAI since 1989.
"I am deeply honored to have been nominated and to be receiving this recognition from AAI," Brutkiewicz said. "It's honestly mind blowing, particularly considering the list of individuals who are AAI fellows; it's very humbling to be joining the ranks of this distinguished group."
Born and raised in Michigan, Brutkiewicz earned a Bachelor of Science degree from Michigan State University in 1981 and a PhD from the University of Massachusetts in 1994. He joined IU School of Medicine in 1998 after completing postdoctoral training at the National Institutes of Health (NIH).
"I became interested in immunology as an undergraduate," Brutkiewicz said. "I took a course called immunobiology as a junior, and it just clicked — it's the kind of thing that just makes sense to you and then you're bitten by the bug."
Brutkiewicz's federally funded laboratory at the IU School of Medicine studies the immune system's first responders, known as the innate immune response.
"For the last several years, we've focused on immune reactions in the central nervous system, particularly the development of epilepsy after traumatic brain injury," explained Brutkiewicz, who is also a member of the Stark Neurosciences Research Institute at IU School of Medicine. "We're also studying how the immune system makes Alzheimer's disease worse and investigating whether there is a way to target that part of the immune system as a potential treatment for Alzheimer's disease."
In addition to leading a robust research program, Brutkiewicz has been active in the development and mentorship of research faculty and graduate students at the IU School of Medicine. He served as assistant dean of faculty affairs and professional development for six years and spent four years as associate dean for graduate studies and research.
Brutkiewicz and the 2024 class of Distinguished Fellows will be honored at the AAI annual meeting, May 3-7, in Chicago.
