Alex Spencer

Dr. Alex Spencer is a Senior Lecturer in the School of Biomedical Sciences and Pharmacy at the University of Newcastle. They hold a PhD from the University of Sydney (2006) and have extensive experience in immunology research, particularly in vaccine development and infectious diseases. Dr. Spencer leads the 'Vaccine and Infection Immunology' group at the Hunter Medical Research Institute, focusing on T and B cell responses induced by vaccines, antigen presentation mechanisms, and translational research bridging preclinical studies and clinical trials. Their work includes contributions to the Oxford-AstraZeneca SARS-CoV-2 vaccine development and evaluation of vaccine platforms for malaria, Ebola, and other pathogens.

Education: PhD in Immunology (University of Sydney, 2006), Bachelor of Medical Science (University of Sydney, 2002).

Research Interests: Vaccine design, immune response characterization (T/B cell function and localization), and optimization of vaccination regimens. Current projects explore antigen presentation impacts on immunity, targeted vaccine delivery, and antibody functional capacity.

Awards: 2023 Margaret Baird Women in Immunology Award from the Australian and New Zealand Society for Immunology. Keynote speaker at multiple international conferences, including ASI NSW-ACT Branch Meeting (2023) and Cambridge 21st Immunology Symposium (2021).

Grants/Advising: Supervises research students and collaborates on national/international committees promoting diversity in science. Editor for Frontiers in Immunology.

Labs/Teams: Leads the Vaccine and Infection Immunology group at HMRI, collaborating with academic and industry partners globally.