The MHWFAC has had another exceptional year, with both foundational and translational research that helped to expand our knowledge and identifying new paradigms in diagnostic and mechanistic avenues for food allergy. The center's impact is evident in the more than 55 high-caliber publications from our faculty and their labs in top-tier journals over the past two years, such as Journal of Clinical Investigation Insight, Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, iScience, Mucosal Immunology, and Allergy. These publications highlight the significant, high-quality work being conducted by our talented researchers at MHWFAC. In addition, the MHWFAC has extended our research expertise with collaborations with pharmaceutical and bio-tech companies in testing and developing novel therapeutics to treat established food allergy responses. These novel and innovative studies have also been shared by MHWFAC investigators that have given talks at national and international conferences, such as the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology and the European Academy of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, as well as seminars at leading institutions. 

A cornerstone of our success has been the steady and diverse funding supporting our research initiatives. While our generous donors provide vital resources for cutting-edge projects at MHWFAC, our researchers have also secured numerous grants from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) over the years, as well as funding from industry collaborators. The MHWFAC has a cumulative extramural funding of more than $13 million.  Individual grants can be seen on the Investigators’ pages in this issue of Reaction. This year, Drs. James Baker (lead PI), Chase Schuler, and Johann Gudjonsson have established the MHWFAC CoFAR Center, a collaborative effort linked to other food allergy centers nationwide. With this latter grant, the MHWFAC is now part of a network that coordinates and conducts clinical trials and observational studies in food allergy research. Dr. Jessica O’Konek has also formed partnerships with two biotechnology companies to develop innovative therapeutics, providing critical data to advance these treatments to clinical testing for food allergy patients. Importantly, with the support of our donors, we’ve launched two pioneering translational projects: one linking atopic dermatitis with food allergy and another to develop a birth cohort study aimed at understanding the early development of food allergies. 

We held the fifth Michigan Food Allergy Research Accelerator (M-FARA) Research Symposium on April 7-8, 2025.  This symposium focused on ow the immune system develops tolerance to food and novel therapeutics being developed for food allergy. The two-day event emphasized clinical research and the early-life development of food allergies, alongside presentations from companies pioneering therapeutics to treat established food allergies.  Internationally renowned speakers presented the latest research, including experts from top academic food allergy centers such as Harvard University, Mount Sinai Hospital, and Johns Hopkins University. Additionally, leading biotech and pharmaceutical industry experts showcased innovative therapeutic technologies for treating food allergies. 

Our symposia aim to bridge academic insights with therapeutic advancements to improve care for food allergy patients. One of the key goals of the symposium is to bring together experts from across the United States, including those at MHWFAC, to foster new ideas and collaborations aimed at advancing clinical research and breaking new ground in food allergy science. 

We can’t be more excited for the future of food allergy research at MHWFAC. We have a growing group of outstanding, leading experts to carve out the future for preventing and treating food allergy.  As we move forward, we are committed to building on this momentum by exploring innovative therapeutic approaches, strengthening collaborations with industry partners, and furthering our participation in nationwide clinical trials and research networks. These projects not only expand our understanding but also bring us closer to creating targeted interventions that can improve patient outcomes and, ultimately, save lives.