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Introducing the Newly Elected Members of the AAAAI Board of Directors
Introducing the Newly Elected Members of the AAAAI Board of Directors
The American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology (AAAAI) is pleased to introduce the candidates you have elected to the Board of Directors. The Secretary-Treasurer ascends to serve as AAAAI President, and the At-Large Directors serve 4-year terms. Their terms will begin at the Business Meeting during the 2026 AAAAI Annual Meeting.
Please join us in congratulating them!
Thank you to all eligible voting members who participated in the 2026 Board of Directors election. Your votes have helped shape the future of the AAAAI and the allergy/immunology (A/I) specialty.
Mariana C. Castells, MD, PhD, FAAAAI
Mariana C. Castells, MD, PhD, FAAAAI, 2026-2027 Secretary-Treasurer
“This new role is one of the highlights of my career and I embrace this challenge with enthusiasm,” said Dr. Castells. “Seven women have been elected to this position and I am proud and grateful to be in their company leading the AAAAI.”
Dr. Castells is eager to get to work. “We have a wonderful specialty which can provide a unique impact in the quality of allergic patients. I am committed to demonstrating our value and critical importance in public health and among medical specialties, to increase the awareness of our specialty, to promote access and training of the next generations and to improve allergic patients’ lives.”
Dr. Castells is Founder and Director of the Brigham and Women’s Hospital and Dana Farber Cancer Institute Drug Hypersensitivity and Desensitization Center. She is also a Professor of Medicine at Harvard Medical School. “I am a mast cell biologist at heart,” she said when asked what areas of A/I most interest her. “My PhD was on mast cell proteases such as tryptase, and I have been working on the impact of mast cells and their mediators on human health for over 35 years.”
Beyond the medical field, she has a passion for music and plays piano. “And we have two additions to our family – two adorable and highly intelligent Corgis!”
Taylor A. Doherty, MD, FAAAAI
Taylor A. Doherty, MD, FAAAAI, 2026-2030 At-Large Director
"I feel deeply honored to have been elected to the AAAAI Board. The AAAAI has been quite instrumental in my career, and I look forward to expanding opportunities for the next generation of leaders in our field,” Dr. Doherty said.
Dr. Doherty is a Professor of Medicine and Chief of the Division of Allergy and Immunology at the University of California, San Diego (UCSD). He also directs the UCSD fellows’ continuity clinic and airway clinic at the San Diego Veterans Affairs (VA) and maintains an active National Institutes of Health (NIH) and VA-funded laboratory.
“As a physician-scientist, I am most interested in ways we can translate science into therapies for patients,” he said, when asked about his primary interests in the A/I field. He has gained international recognition for his contributions to translational A/I research and has participated in numerous invited scientific NIH/National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) workgroups.
Outside of work, he enjoys hiking, collecting vinyl records, snorkeling, traveling with his family, going to concerts and watching Formula 1 motorsport.
Lynda G. Kabbash, MD, FAAAAI
Lynda G. Kabbash, MD, FAAAAI, 2026-2030 At-Large Director
“It feels great to be elected,” Dr. Kabbash expressed. “I am looking forward to continuing the work I have been doing in advocacy and the Regional, State and Local Allergy, Asthma and Immunology Society (RSLAAIS), as well as our representation in the American Medical Association (AMA). This is a challenging time for both our patients and our members. There are many significant scientific advances in patient care in the field of A/I and it is important that we are able to move forward with these for our patients.”
Dr. Kabbash is an allergist at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center and an assistant professor at Harvard Medical School. She’s particularly interested in immunotherapy, chronic spontaneous urticaria and drug allergy. She also considers her vocation as advocate to be a defining aspect of her medical practice.
“Outside the medical field I am interested in music and art,” she said. “I have taken up piano and try to practice as often as I can. I also like to visit art museums and particularly enjoy the Impressionists and American artists with New England roots such as Winslow Homer and John Singer Sargent.”
Paneez Khoury, MD, MHSc, FAAAAI
Paneez Khoury, MD, MHSc, FAAAAI, 2026-2030 At-Large Director
“Being elected is both a tremendous honor and a humbling experience. It is deeply meaningful to know that my colleagues trust me to contribute to the direction and growth of our specialty. I am energized by the opportunity to give back to the AAAAI, an organization that has played a pivotal role in shaping my own leadership and career journey,” said Dr. Khoury.
When asked about the areas of the field she is most interested in, Dr. Khoury said, “Truly, I love all of it. I view myself as a life-long learner, and I’m just as curious to explore advances in immunology as I am in novel therapeutics or clinical trial approaches. Our specialty is so diverse, and I enjoy engaging with all aspects of the science and innovations being pursued by our community.”
Outside of work, she’s often busy taking her sons to their games and activities, or taking care of their pet axolotl. “I’m passionate about coffee and roasting, and you can find me searching for the best espresso spot at the Annual Meeting. I have more gadgets for making coffee than would be considered reasonable,” she said. “I also like to stay active, love cooking and gathering with friends and family.”