March 2026

How ASHI Selects Annual Meeting Locations

ASHI’s Annual Meeting location is chosen through a multi-year evaluation process designed to balance educational quality, accessibility, and responsible financial stewardship. While the ASHI Board of Directors makes the final decision, the selection involves research, review, and objective criteria well before the Board vote. Click here to learn about the planning and proposal review process, including long-range planning, site selection considerations, evaluation criteria, and final approval.

Call for Board Nominations

The ASHI Leadership Development Task Force (LDTF) encourages ASHI members to nominate candidates for the available board positions. If there are candidates whom you feel would be an asset to the ASHI Board of Directors, please have the nominee complete and

submit this nomination form.

All nominations must be accompanied by the signatures of at least 10 full or honorary members in good standing. Emailed endorsements are accepted.

During the week of March 30, the LDTF will forward its preliminary slate of candidates to the ASHI membership. This will allow members more time to submit additional nominations by the April 10th deadline.

Is It Time to Upgrade Your Membership?

Watch this video to discover the perks and benefits available with a dues paying ASHI membership.

AFDT invites you to deepen your knowledge of transplant immunology

The American Foundation for Donation & Transplantation (AFDT) is hosting immersive Basic and Specialist Histocompatibility Courses over the course of April 11 - 16, 2026 at the Hyatt Centric French Quarter in New Orleans, Louisiana.

Basic Course: April 11 - 13

Click here to view the curriculum

Specialist Course: April 12 - 16

Click here to view the curriculum

Interested in exhibiting? Email Madison Knight at Knight@amfdt.org.

Now Open: OPTN Call for Committee Nominations

The Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network (OPTN) is now accepting nominations to fill 144 current and anticipated committee vacancies beginning July 1, 2026. Serving on an OPTN committee is a meaningful opportunity to help shape national policies and initiatives impacting organ donation, procurement, and transplantation.

Committee members represent a wide range of professional disciplines and expertise within the transplant community. Most appointments are three-year terms, with select committees serving two-year terms. Applications are being accepted through March 16, 2026.

Hosted by the Educational Initiatives Committee

This webinar will highlight the latest scientific updates on HLA-DPB1 mismatches in allogeneic HCT, including advances in T-cell epitope modeling, emerging concepts in alloreactivity, and the impact of modern GvHD prophylaxis strategies such as PTCy. Continuing education credits are available. The session will be recorded and posted to ASHI University.

Hosted by the Technologists' Affairs Committee

Participants will learn how to identify opportunities to better engage non‑member HLA laboratory staff and communicate the value of ASHI membership. They will hear practical strategies from current ASHI members from various perspectives on fostering participation, supporting professional development, and creating a culture of involvement within their labs. Attendees will leave with actionable approaches to strengthen connection and knowledge‑sharing across their teams.

The latest episode of Coffee & Compatibility, will feature Alberto Cardoso Martins Lima, Ph.D. Dr. Cardoso Martins Lima is a board-certified histocompatibility scientist and a member of the Brazilian National Transplant System’s Histocompatibility Advisory Committee. The discussion will focus on allogeneic HCT, including donor selection, HLA-DPB1 matching, and the latest trends in transplantation.

ASHI's Educational Initiatives Committee launched Tech Case Presentations, a pilot extension of ASHI's webinar program. Each 1-hour live session will feature multiple short, technologist-led case studies, followed by panel discussion and Q&A. The series is designed to support professional development, encourage new presenters, and foster knowledge sharing among healthcare professionals. Interested in presenting or attending? Click here.

The ASHI Laboratory Professionals Recruitment Initiative (LPRI) taskforce committee launched a brief, anonymous Workplace Satisfaction Survey for HLA professionals working in ASHI member labs, highlighted by a short video. Responses will inform retention resources, and participants will be entered into a $20 gift card drawing.

Click here to participate!

Click the image to watch the video.

Mr. Ricardo Ordóñez honors the legacy of Dr. Paul Terasaki in this special episode.

Tune in to watch Coffee & Compatibility on YouTube or listen on your favorite podcast platform.

2026 PT Shipping Schedule

This year the HT survey will be the first survey to ship - on Wednesday, March 4th.

The EMO will also ship in March, on Wednesday, March 25^th.

2026 Spring Shipment Dates

The ASHI PT shipping schedule for the first half of 2026 is to the right.

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(*The AO - sera-only modules - for the AC survey - will still ship on Mondays.)

Get Social with ASHI

We’re always looking for great content from our members! If you have an interesting article, fun lab photos, team highlights, conference snapshots, member milestones, or educational tips to share, we want to hear from you! Submit your content via our Social Media Request Form. All submissions are subject to review and approval. Please note that ASHI reserves the right to deny any request without notice. Let’s showcase the amazing work happening in our community!

Human Immunology:

Put Your Research in the Spotlight

Select figures may be showcased on the journal cover!



Each Human Immunology monthly journal cover will feature a figure from a manuscript that was published in the issue. Submit your high-quality image with your manuscript here. (Specs: 173 mm width x 149 mm height, 300 dpi resolution, CMYK color format).

Recent federal legislation has delayed the next round of Medicare payment reductions under PAMA until 2027. While the cuts are on hold, data collection and reporting requirements are moving forward, and applicable histocompatibility and immunogenetics laboratories should begin preparing now. Click here to learn more.

Would you like to be featured as our next ASHI Member or Volunteer Spotlight? Click the links below to answer a few questions about your member/volunteer experience.