Ph.D in Immunology, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada and B.Sc in Molecular Biology, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada

Alina Lelic, PhD

Sr. Global Market Development Manager, Genetic Sciences , Thermo Fisher Scientific

Alina Lelic, Ph.D. is a scientist-turned-global marketing leader with a foundation in immunology, cancer immunotherapy, vaccine research, and translational science. A published researcher and recipient of the prestigious CIHR Frederick Banting and Charles Best Canada Graduate Scholarship, she has presented her work at national and international scientific conferences and built a career translating complex science into strategies that advance biotechnology and biopharma innovation.

Throughout her career, Alina has helped grow businesses, launch innovative programs, build high-performing teams, and bring scientists, customers, and commercial organizations together around a shared goal: creating solutions that make a meaningful impact. Her experience spans research, clinical trials, flow cytometry, strategic marketing, and global market development, giving her a unique ability to speak both “science” and “business.”

Publications

Patterson BK, Seethamraju H, Dhody K, Corley MJ, Kazempour K, Lalezari J, Pang APS, Sugai C, Mahyari E, Francisco EB, Pise A, Rodrigues H, Wu HL, Webb GM, Park BS, Kelly S, Pourhassan N, Lelic A, Kdouh L, Herrera M, Hall E, Bimber BN, Plassmeyer M, Gupta R, Alpan O, O'Halloran JA, Mudd PA, Akalin E, Ndhlovu LC, Sacha JB (2021). CCR5 inhibition in critical COVID-19 patients decreases inflammatory cytokines, increases CD8 T-cells, and decreases SARS-CoV2 RNA in plasma by day 14. International Journal of Infectious Diseases, 103:25-32.
Larson D, Patel P, Salapatek AM, Couroux P, Whitehouse D, Pina A, Johnson JL, Sever ML, Sanda S, Poyser J, Allio T, Scadding GW, Qin T, Shamji MH, Kwok WW, James EA, French D, Lelic A, Larché M, Altman MC, Togias A, Durham SR (2020). Nasal allergen challenge and environmental exposure chamber challenge: A randomized trial comparing clinical and biological responses to cat allergen. Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, 145(6):1585-1597.
Verschoor CP, Lelic A, Parsons R, Evelegh C, Bramson JL, Johnstone J, Loeb MB, Bowdish DM (2017). Serum C-Reactive Protein and Congestive Heart Failure as Significant Predictors of Herpes Zoster Vaccine Response in Elderly Nursing Home Residents. Journal of Infectious Diseases, 216(2):191-197.
Lelic A, Verschoor CP, Lau VWC, Parsons R, Eveleigh C, Bowdish DM, Bramson JL, Loeb MB (2016). Immunogencity of Varicella Zoster Vaccine and Immunologic Predictors of Response in a Cohort of Elderly Nursing Home Residents. Journal of Infectious Diseases, 214(12):1905-1910.
Abdel Fattah AR, Meleca E, Mishriki S, Lelic A, Geng F, Sahu RP, Ghosh S, Puri (2016). In Situ 3D Label-Free Contactless Bioprinting of Cells through Diamagnetophoresis. Biomaterials Science & Engineering, 2(12):2133-2138.
Verschoor CP, Lelic A, Bramson JL, Bowdish DM (2015). An Introduction to Flow Cytometry Gating Tools and Their Implementation. Frontiers in Immunology, 6:380.
Verschoor CP, Loukov D, Naidoo A, Puchta A, Johnstone J, Millar J, Lelic A, Novakowski KE, Dorrington MG, Loeb M, Bramson JL, Bowdish DM (2015). Circulating TNF and mitochondrial DNA are major determinants of neutrophil phenotype in the advanced-age, frail elderly. Molecular Immunology, 65(1):148-156.
Johnstone J, Millar J, Lelic A, Verschoor CP, Walter SD, Devereaux PJ, Bramson J, Loeb M (2014). Immunosenescence in the nursing home elderly. BMC Geriatrics, 14:50.
Verschoor CP, Johnstone J, Millar J, Parsons R, Lelic A, Loeb M, Bramson JL, Bowdish DM (2014). Alterations to the frequency and function of peripheral blood monocytes and associations with chronic disease in the advanced-age, frail elderly. PLoS One, 9(8).
Verschoor CP, Johnstone J, Millar J, Dorrington MG, Habibagahi M, Lelic A, Loeb M, Bramson JL, Bowdish DM (2013). Blood CD33(+)HLA-DR(-) myeloid-derived suppressor cells are increased with age and a history of cancer. Journal of Leukocyte Biology, 93(4):633-637.
Lelic A, Verschoor CP, Ventresca M, Parsons R, Evelegh C, Bowdish D, Betts MR, Loeb MB, Bramson JL (2012). The polyfunctionality of human memory CD8+ T cells elicited by acute and chronic virus infections is not influenced by age. PLoS Pathogens, 8(12):e1003076.
Piazza P, McMurtrey CP, Lelic A, Cook RL, Hess R, Yablonsky E, Borowski L, Loeb MB, Bramson JL, Hildebrand WH, Rinaldo CR (2010). Surface phenotype and functionality of WNV specific T cells differ with age and disease severity. PLoS One, 5(12).
Larsen MV, Lelic A, Parsons R, Nielsen M, Hoof I, Lamberth K, Loeb MB, Buus S, Bramson J, Lund O (2010). Identification of CD8+ T cell epitopes in the West Nile virus polyprotein by reverse-immunology using NetCTL. PLoS One, 5(9).
Denisov DA, Denisova GF, Lelic A, Loeb MB, Bramson JL (2009). Deciphering epitope specificities within polyserum using affinity selection of random peptides and a novel algorithm based on pattern recognition theory. Molecular Immunology, 46(3):429-436.
Parsons R, Lelic A, Hayes L, Carter A, Marshall L, Evelegh C, Drebot M, Andonova M, McMurtrey C, Hildebrand W, Loeb MB, Bramson JL (2008). The memory T cell response to West Nile virus in symptomatic humans following natural infection is not influenced by age and is dominated by a restricted set of CD8+ T cell epitopes. Journal of Immunology, 181(2):1563-1572.
McMurtrey CP, Lelic A, Piazza P, Chakrabarti AK, Yablonsky EJ, Wahl A, Bardet W, Eckerd A, Cook RL, Hess R, Buchli R, Loeb M, Rinaldo CR, Bramson J, Hildebrand WH (2008). Epitope discovery in West Nile virus infection: Identification and immune recognition of viral epitopes. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America, 105(8):2981-2986.

Biotech at Scale

Panel of cell and gene therapy industry leaders discussing commercialization, manufacturing, and the future of advanced therapies.

Cell and Gene Therapy Trends Shaping Commercial Success in 2026

August 31, 2026

Education

Publications

Biotech at Scale

Cell and Gene Therapy Trends Shaping Commercial Success in 2026