Abbe N. de Vallejo PhD is a highly regarded researcher and educator. He is Associate Professor with Tenure at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, holding academic appointments in the Departments of Pediatrics and Immunology. Dr. de Vallejo leads a research program on the Immunobiology of Aging, in which he uncovered the transcriptional basis for the irreversible loss of CD28, validating CD28null T cells as the unique bioindicator on T cell aging in humans. His current projects focus on the integrative physiology of healthy longevity, in which he advocates a research paradigm shift from the usual young-versus-old comparison to the analyses of defined elderly populations. He also leads a complementary program on the Biology of Inflammation, with primary interest on juvenile and adult arthritis and obesity. In arthritis biology, his research was the first to show premature T cell aging in the pathogenesis of juvenile arthritis. Dr. de Vallejo is author and co-author of numerous articles published in leading scientific journals. He served as associate editor of the Journal of Immunology, and a special issue editor of Aging Research Reviews. He is currently an editorial board member of Aging and Disease, and associate editor of Frontiers in Immunology. He was a recipient of the Julie Martin Career Award on Aging, and he serves on the National Scientific Advisory Council of the American Federation for Aging Research. He is a reviewer for more than 30 scientific journals and served (continue to serve) in study sections/advisory panels of various private foundations, research programs of academic institutions, and US federal agencies including the National Institutes of Health. He is member of the American Association of Immunologists, American College of Rheumatology, and Gerontological Society of America. Dr de Vallejo is fellow of The Royal Society of Medicine.