Thomas, Jean and Jeffrey Casale Lectureship and AAAAI Foundation Faculty Development Award

Dr. Thomas Casale is Professor of Medicine and Pediatrics and Chief of Clinical and Translational Research in the Division of Allergy/Immunology at the Morsani College of Medicine, University of South Florida in Tampa.  He grew up in Chicago where he developed a passion for cooking from watching his mother and working at his father’s pizza place. Dr. Casale completed an Allergy/Immunology fellowship at NIH, where he was Chief Medical Staff Fellow. He met his wife, Jean, at NIH when she worked in the same lab and fell in love with his pizzas!  

From 1984 to 1996, Dr. Casale was at the University of Iowa where he attained the rank of Professor of Medicine and Director of Allergy/Immunology.  He then moved to Creighton University where he was Professor of Medicine and Medical Microbiology and Immunology, Chief of Allergy/Immunology, Vice Chair of Internal Medicine, Director of Clinical Research, and Assistant Dean for Research.     

Dr. Casale is a member of the American Society for Clinical Investigation, and a past member of the Board of Directors of the American Thoracic Society (ATS), World Allergy Organization (WAO), American Board of Allergy and Immunology (Chair 2005) and the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology (AAAAI). He was President of the AAAAI from 2007 to 2008 and served as the Executive Vice President for ten years. Dr. Casale was also Chief Medical Advisor, Food Allergy Research and Education (FARE) for four years.   

Dr. Casale has worked on bench to bedside research with a special focus on biologics and translational research, and has mentored many students, residents, fellows and junior faculty to successful careers, an activity he immensely enjoys and is committed to. He has published over 500 scientific papers, reviews, and chapters primarily on respiratory and allergic diseases; organized and directed more than fifty CME programs; and served on the planning committees for five world asthma meetings. He has been on the editorial boards of multiple journals including JACI and JACI Practice. He is recognized as one of the world’s top 2% most influential scientists and one of the best medicine and immunology scientists in the US by Research.com. He has received Distinguished Service Awards from the AAAAI and WAO.  

Jean Casale worked as a researcher until 1989 when they adopted their son, Jeffrey.  As Jeffrey went off to school, Jean worked in the Division of Allergy and Immunology at Creighton. Jean is now retired, enjoys fishing with Tom and does volunteer work for their community and park district.  Jeffrey Casale became an avid weather enthusiast, fisherman, and excellent writer and artist.  However, he lost a long struggle with mental health issues and died at the age of 27.  

Dr. Casale views this Lectureship and Faculty Development Award not as recognition of his accomplishments, but as an opportunity to recognize the importance of family and the need to help others overcome their struggles as they begin their careers in allergy/immunology.  

For questions or to make a contribution over the phone, call the AAAAI Foundation at (414) 272-6071.