WHY ARE SOME ALLERGIES LIFELONG?

Dr. Josh Koenig, assistant professor , McMaster University 

Dr. Josh Koenig is one of the foremost experts on how the immune system causes lifelong allergies. His innovative research program uses next-generation technologies to reveal the poorly understood “rules” that underpin allergic immunity. He uses these discoveries to design new therapies that target the core cause of persistent allergies, rather than only targeting the symptoms. His team collaborates extensively with pharmaceutical companies to evaluate the effectiveness of newly designed therapies, with the hope of finding a cure for allergy.

In 2024, Dr. Koenig’s team discovered a new type of memory cell that “remembers” allergy, and which has quickly become a leading target for developing new therapies.

In his presentation, Dr. Koenig will try to answer questions like: What causes allergic reactions? Why have we struggled to develop good therapies for diseases like food allergy? Why are Pulitzer Prize winning journalists afraid of the immune system?

Join this talk to learn what his team is working on and what is needed to finally beat allergies.

Join the LUNCH BUNCH after the meeting at

The Tipsy Fox

1250 Brant Street (same plaza as Silver City Cinema)

Burlington ON

A separate email invitation will be sent for lunch sign up. You can also sign up as you enter the meeting room if spaces remain.