From Cytokines to Tuberculosis and Back: My Journey to Understanding the Immune Response to Infection

I felt honored by the invitation to write this autobiography, although it was an arduous task to describe my journey through science: first bacterial adhesion, then cytokine function, and then immune responses in tuberculosis. Since only seven women had been authors of autobiographies for the Annual Review of Immunology, I felt I couldn't refuse to contribute to Volume 43 of the journal. Moreover, this was a good occasion to record my appreciation to all the lab members and collaborators for their contributions over the last 40 years, to remember the exciting times, and to reflect on the obstacles we faced. I often reflect on this line that is commonly attributed to Winston Churchill: Success is not final; failure is not fatal: It is the courage to continue that counts. What kept me going was a burning desire to know how things work and find enjoyment in the discovery. This passion to understand immune responses to infection remains with me to this day. I thank all those I have interacted with for the support and friendship they provided.