Alyson Kelvin BSc, PhD

Dr. Alyson Ann Kelvin is a virologist at the Vaccine and Infectious Disease Organization at the University of Saskatchewan. She holds a PhD from the Centre for Infection and Immunity at Queen’s University Belfast (2007) and a HBSc with a Concentrate in Cell Biology from Western University (2003). Her specific research point-of-view is that the mechanisms controlling immune memory development during viral infection can be used to inform vaccine design. By understanding immune memory, she hypothesizes that mechanisms for inducing broad cross-reactivity and protection against antigenically divergent pathogens will be revealed. The goal of this research is to develop pan- and universal-vaccines targeting entire families or clades of respiratory viruses such as sarbecoviruses.

Dr. Kelvin has been involved in emerging virus research since 2003 when she participated in the response to the SARS-CoV epidemic in Toronto. In 2008, she led a research group in Italy studying emerging human and animal pathogens. This work extends to her present-day research program at VIDO which mostly focuses on emerging respiratory viruses such as coronaviruses and influenza viruses. Dr. Kelvin is also passionate about science communication to fight misinformation as well as inspire budding scientists. She feels that access to accurate information will enable safe choices and the establishment of productive policies that are beneficial for community health.