Profile Details

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Hire Jelena R.

United Kingdom

USD 300 /hr

Viral Vector Specialist | CMC & GMP Expert | Lentiviral, AAV, Regulatory Submissions | Flexible Consultant

Profile Summary

Principal Scientist and viral vector development expert specializing in lentiviral, retroviral, and AAV platforms, with 15+ years’ experience across R&D, CMC, MSAT, GMP manufacturing, and regulatory support. Proven track record delivering high-priority programs, supporting regulatory submissions (IMPD, MHRA/EMA), and leading high-performing teams for UK/EU gene therapy companies. Strong hands-on expertise in upstream/downstream process development, tech transfer, analytical method design, and vendor management. Recognized for process innovation, problem-solving, and collaborative cross-functional leadership. Available for part-time consultancy, regulatory guidance, process optimization, and talent development in global cell and gene therapy projects.

Subject Matter Expertise

• ★ Virology
• ★ Retrovirology
• ★ Gene Therapy
• ☆ Microbiology
• ☆ Adenoviruses
• ☆ Molecular Virology
• ☆ Biochemistry
• ☆ Biochemical Assays
• ☆ Molecular Biology
• ☆ PCR
• ☆ Molecular Cloning
• ☆ Plasmid DNA
• ☆ Cell Biology
• ☆ Cell-Based Assays
• ☆ Biotechnology & Bioengineering
• ☆ Recombinant Protein Expression
• ☆ Microscopy
• ☆ Light Microscopy
• ☆ Cell Culture
• ☆ Cell Banking
• ☆ Large Scale Cell Culture
• ☆ Industrial Biotechnology
• ☆ Biomolecular Engineering
• ☆ Gene Delivery
• ☆ Drug Development
• ☆ Technical & Scientific Writing
• ☆ Scientific Proofreading & Editing

Services

• Writing
• Research
• Consulting
• Product Development

Writing Clinical Trial Documentation, Medical Writing, Non-Medical Regulatory Writing, Technical Writing, Copywriting

Research Technology Scouting, Fact Checking, Gap Analysis, Gray Literature Search, Scientific and Technical Research, Systematic Literature Review

Consulting Operations Consulting, Scientific and Technical Consulting, Regulatory Consulting, Manufacturing Consulting

Product Development Product Evaluation, Material Sourcing, Product Validation, Manufacturing, Concept Development, Reverse Engineering

Work Experience

Principal Scientist/Team lead

Quell Therapeutics

October 2020 - June 2025

Senior Scientist II

Autolus (United Kingdom)

December 2018 - October 2020

Scientist

Cell and Gene Therapy Catapult

October 2017 - November 2018

PDRA

University College London

March 2016 - September 2017

research assistant

University of Zagreb Faculty of Science

May 2008 - September 2017

Education

PhD (Department of Biology)

University of Zagreb Faculty of Science

May 2008 - January 2014

Certifications

• Certification details not provided.

Publications

JOURNAL ARTICLE

(2019). Lentiviral Vector Purification Using Nanofiber Ion-Exchange Chromatography . Molecular Therapy - Methods & Clinical Development.

(2018). Differential Effects of Integrin αv Knockdown and Cilengitide on Sensitization of Triple-Negative Breast Cancer and Melanoma Cells to Microtubule Poisons . Molecular Pharmacology.

(2016). Manipulating adenoviral vector ion-exchange chromatography: Hexon versus fiber . Journal of Separation Science.

Ruščić, J., Gutiérrez-Aguirre, I., Tušek Žnidarič, M., Kolundžija, S., Slana, A., Barut, M., Ravnikar, M., Krajačić, M.(2015). A new application of monolithic supports: The separation of viruses from one another . Journal of Chromatography A. 1388. (0). p. 69-78.

Ruščić, Jelena, Gutiérrez-Aguirre, Ion, Urbas, Lidija, Kramberger, Petra, Mehle, Nataša, Škorić, Dijana, Barut, Miloš, Ravnikar, Maja, Krajačić, Mladen(2013). A novel application of methacrylate based short monolithic columns: Concentrating Potato spindle tuber viroid from water samples . Journal of Chromatography A. 1274. (0). p. 129-136.

East Adriatic—a reservoir region of severe Citrus tristeza virus strains @article{RID:0505150453594-3, title = {East Adriatic—a reservoir region of severe Citrus tristeza virus strains}, journal = {European Journal of Plant Pathology}, year = {2009}, author = {Cerni, Silvija and Skoric, Dijana and Ruscic, Jelena and Krajacic, Mladen and Papic, Tatjana and Djelouah, Khaled and Nolasco, Gustavo}, volume = {124}, number = {4}, pages = {701-706} } . European Journal of Plant Pathology.

Černi, Silvija, Ruščić, Jelena, Nolasco, Gustavo, Gatin, Živko, Krajačić, Mladen, Škorić, Dijana(2008). Stem pitting and seedling yellows symptoms of Citrus tristeza virus infection may be determined by minor sequence variants . Virus Genes. 36. (1). p. 241-249.