The National Academy of Medicine has recognized Sue Kaech, executive vice president and director of Immunology at the Allen Institute, for her outstanding scientific and technical achievements in the field of immunology.  

Kaech’s research has helped shape our fundamental understanding of how memory T cells develop and function. More specifically, Kaech is internationally recognized for discovering how the immune system forms long-lasting memory to protect us from infections and how these same immune cells can be disabled by cancer.

Her expertise, which lies at the intersections of genomics, metabolism, and neurobiology, is helping drive the development of new therapies for cancer and infectious diseases and is strengthening collaborations and guiding research at the Institute that examines the critical brain-body connection.

“Being welcomed into the National Academy of Medicine is an incredible honor,” said Kaech. “I share this fully with the students, postdocs, and colleagues in my lab, whose curiosity, hard work, and fearlessness in tackling big questions have driven everything we have achieved.”

Kaech joined the Allen Institute in early 2026 to lead the Immunology accelerator, which focuses on the immune system as the foundation for human health and disease, while also driving discoveries around how the immune and nervous systems work together to improve health. Kaech joined the Allen Institute from the Salk Institute where she was the director of the NOMIS Center, leading multidisciplinary teams exploring how immune cells behave within tissues and the tumor microenvironment, with translational implications for immunotherapy and vaccine design.

Prior to her time at Salk, Kaech was the Waldemar Von Zedtwitz Professor of Immunobiology at Yale University. She has been elected to the National Academy of Sciences and the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, reflecting her field-defining contributions. Kaech also sits on the advisory boards of leading cancer research organizations and biotech companies.

“I am thrilled to welcome these outstanding health and medicine leaders into the National Academy of Medicine,” said NAM President Monica M. Bertagnolli. “Their extraordinary talent and commitment to advancing evidence-based guidance and solutions for our country’s greatest health care challenges will strengthen our efforts to improve health for all.”

The Academy welcomed Kaech and 99 other members at its annual meeting on October 19, 2026.

Established originally as the Institute of Medicine in 1970 by the National Academy of Sciences, the National Academy of Medicine addresses critical issues in health, science, medicine, and related policy, and inspires positive actions across sectors.