Dear Friends and Colleagues,

On behalf of the Spanish Society of Immunology (SEI) and the University of Alicante (UA), it is a great honor and responsibility to announce the fourth international Alicante-Winter Immunology Symposium in Health (A-WISH4), which is taking place on December 19^th-20^th 2024 in the city of Alicante, Spain.

This symposium will bring together a group of internationally recognized microbiologists, molecular biologists, epidemiologists, virologists and immunologists to discuss their work on Emerging Pathogens. The main objective of this symposium is to 1) provide a comprehensive update on the immunopathology of the disease caused by parasite, bacteria, fungi, and viral infections; 2) examine the various diagnostic tools that are being used in clinical laboratories and explore newer diagnostic methods focusing on serological, molecular and proteomic approaches; 3) discuss about existing and future therapeutic treatments with special focus on the critical role of the immune system in governing the host-pathogen interaction; and 4) evaluate the opportunities and challenges to control emerging and re-emerging pathogens and to design effective public health care policies aimed at preventing and containing infectious disease outbreaks.

In the context of this symposium, we want to recognize international acclaimed scientists that have contributed with their work to a better understanding and treatment of diseases caused by emerging pathogens through the BOULLE-SEI Awards. These awards honor the Royal Philanthropic Vaccine Expedition led by the surgeon from Alicante, Francisco Javier de Balmis together with Isabel Zendal between 1803 and 1806 and are intended to recognize the team behind the work, rather than the individual. Isabel Zendal was critical for the successful completion of the expedition and it is precisely for this reason that the selection of candidate teams for the BOULLE-SEI Awards recognizes the talent of women scientists, highlighting their leadership in scientific research groups.

On behalf of the Executive, Organizing and Scientific Committees I would like to thank the speakers, moderators, participants and sponsors to make the A-WISH 2024 a great scientific international event and an unforgettable experience.

Jordi Ochando
President, A-WISH 2024