This news item is about: Avery August, Professor of Immunology in the Department of Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences at Penn State University, will lead the Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine's Department of Microbiology & Immunology (M&I), effective July 1. Dr. August will succeed David Russell, Professor of Molecular Microbiology, who has been at the helm of M&I since 2000. In the following interview, Dr. August shares his thoughts about the upcoming transition, his background, and his vision for the department.