Anita Milicic

I studied Molecular Biology and Physiology at the University of Belgrade, Serbia, before completing MSc in Genetics and DPhil in Immunology at the University of Oxford.

In 2009 I joined the Jenner Institute in Oxford as the Head of the Adjuvant Facility, procuring and testing a range of novel vaccine adjuvants for human and veterinary application. I now lead the Vaccine Formulation and Adjuvants Group, studying immune mechanisms of vaccines and adjuvants, and developing novel vaccine formulations and delivery modalities.

My research interest are the processes of immune activation, in particular the interplay between the innate and the adaptive immunity, which we are exploring by combining in vitro and in vivo animal model systems and human ex vivo and clinical studies. By adopting an integrative spatio-temporal experimental approach, we hope to better understand the adjuvant mechanisms of action with the ultimate goal of improving vaccine efficacy.

Apart from research, I am involved in teaching within the University and externally (Milicic, A., Vaccination [Video file], Henry Stewart Talks: The Biomedical & Life Sciences Collection, 2021) and writing popular science articles on vaccination and vaccine adjuvants.

I am a Core Group member and leader of a Working Group in the EU COST Action Programme ENOVA (European Network of Vaccine Adjuvants). I am also the Jenner Institute Lead for Public Engagement with Research.