Dzana Dervovic
Toronto
Summary
Accomplished Senior Scientist at AstraZeneca with over 19 years of expertise in immunology, cancer biology, and functional genomics across academic and pharmaceutical settings. Proven track record in driving drug discovery and preclinical trials, leveraging CRISPR technology to advance oncology research. Adept at leading teams, managing complex projects, and fostering high-impact collaborations to translate innovative research into clinical advancements.
Recognized for exceptional communication skills, delivering visually compelling presentations, and crafting clear, concise proposals for internal and external stakeholders, third parties, and key opinion leaders. A highly motivated, independent innovator, excelling in dynamic, team-centered, and matrix-based environments. Versatile team player with a strong project management background, adept at navigating hierarchical and collaborative research models to drive meaningful scientific breakthroughs.
Overview
12
12
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Senior Scientist
Astra Zeneca
Molndal
08.2022 - Current
- Lead discovery and preclinical R&D programs in oncology (NSCLC, breast cancer, and PDAC), and CAR-T immunotherapy, driving strategic advancements in the oncology pipeline.
- Pioneered innovative research platforms focused on CRISPR technology and phenotypic screening to accelerate drug discovery.
- Directed preclinical research efforts that informed AstraZeneca's oncology pipeline prioritization through data-driven decision-making.
- Established partnerships with international collaborators to leverage computational insights for drug discovery.
- Designed and supervised in vivo and in vitro studies to uncover clinically relevant biomarkers and mechanisms of drug resistance, shaping translational oncology strategies.
- Integrated novel technologies across diverse functional areas to streamline translational research workflows and improve efficiency.
- Oversaw investigator-sponsored studies, ensuring regulatory compliance, robust documentation, and clear communication with stakeholders.
- Designated as the Biosafety Representative for a team of 40 members to ensure compliance with safety protocols and regulatory standards.
Postdoctoral Fellow With Dr. Daniel Schramek
LTRI, Mount Sinai Hospital,
Toronto
12.2015 - 08.2022
- Led and mentored a team of 3–5 PhD students and lab technicians in executing CRISPR screens focused on lung cancer, pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC), and TP53 biology, ensuring high scientific rigor and impactful results.
- Oversaw novel immune target identification using in vivo CRISPR screens in mouse lung cancer models.
- Formulated and refined two immune therapy mouse models of human lung cancer, enabling high-throughput in vivo screening.
- Enhanced efficacy of tumor-specific CD8 T-cell adoptive transfer therapy in preclinical models of lung cancer and HNSCC.
- Identified SerpinB9 and Adam2 as potential therapeutic targets for patients harboring KrasG12D and/or Braf V600E mutations in LUAD.
- Contributed critical scientific discoveries that supported the foundation of ViVerita Therapeutics.
- Collaborated on influential research discovering USP15 and SCAF1 mutations as cancer driver genes in a substantial portion of pancreatic cancer cases.
- Honored with fellowships totaling $175,000 for significant contributions to cancer research.
- Collaborated with principal investigators on grant applications for postdoctoral research initiatives, resulting in securing 2 million dollars.
Postdoctoral Research Fellow With DR. Li Zhang
University Health Network
Toronto
04.2013 - 12.2015
- Led innovation in developing advanced preclinical methodologies and techniques, generating critical data that enabled a pioneering clinical trial for non-small cell lung cancer using allogeneic double-negative T cells (DNTs) in adoptive cellular therapy.
- Drove research success, mentoring a team that resulted in two published works and a patented method for expanding double-negative T cells.
- Facilitated the successful translation of research into phase I/IIa clinical trials, demonstrating the safety, feasibility, and therapeutic potential of allogeneic DNTs (DNT-UHN-1) for high-risk acute myeloid leukemia (AML) patients.
Scientific Advisor
Sephos Biotherapeutics
San Diego
04.2013 - 12.2014
- Established EAR-2 as a groundbreaking oncogene and essential driver of cell fate in the hematopoietic system, linking it to self-renewing, progenitor-like cancer stem cells, and Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML) prognosis.
- Provided independent consulting as a scientific advisor for Sephos Biotherapeutics, facilitating its acquisition by Regen BioPharma, Inc. In December 2014.
- Translated academic research into commercially viable technologies, co-authoring influential findings published in Biomarker Research and Experimental Hematology.
Consulting Postdoctoral Research Fellow
University of Toronto in collaboration with Jonhson & Jonhson
Toronto
07.2013 - 04.2014
- Directed a laboratory team in developing novel flow cytometry techniques for immune infiltrate analysis in a mouse model of idiosyncratic drug-induced liver injury.
- Co-developed a state-of-the-art delayed-onset animal model to accurately predict idiosyncratic drug reaction (IDR) risk, resulting in a publication in a prestigious peer-reviewed journal.
Education
Ph.D. - Immunology
University of Toronto
Toronto06-2012
Skills
- Oncology research
- CRISPR technology
- Translational research
- Preclinical trials
- Drug discovery
- Project management
Certification
• Board Certificate Medical Affairs Specialist (BCMAS) (2025), The Accreditation Council for Medical Affairs
Business Management & Organization (2024), AstraZeneca, Degreed, Gothenburg, Sweden
• Business Orientation: Strategic Organizational Goals (2024), AstraZeneca, Degreed, Gothenburg, Sweden
Thinking strategically as a manager (2024), AstraZeneca, Degreed, Gothenburg, Sweden
• Venture Sinai Certificate (2016), Toronto, Canada
• Certificate in Entrepreneurship (2015), MaRS Discovery District, Toronto, Canada
Graduate
TEACHING EXPERIENCE
Manager of Adult Stem Cell Advocate Group, LinkedIn, Toronto, Canada
Apr 2013 - Apr 2015
- Recognized target audience needs and provided scientific and medical information on types, risks, and benefits of stem cell-based therapies for variety of diseases.
Mentored graduate students from Immunology Department, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
Sep 2012 - Sep 2015
- Mentor for several graduate students from Immunology Department, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
Breakout Session Leader for Stem Cell Talk Symposium and Stem Cell Awareness Day, UHN, Toronto, Canada Sep 2011 - Sep 2013
- One of session leaders providing education and empowering learning about stem cells and ethics to high school students (grades 10-12).
Teaching Assistant, Toronto, Canada Sep 2009 - Sep 2011
- Teaching Assistant for undergraduate courses in Introductory Immunology, Developmental Immunology, Clinical Immunology (The Immune Responses) at University of Toronto.
PUBLICATIONS
https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=HNfUv5QAAAAJ&hl=en
Nature Communication
Sebastien Martinez, Ramona Weber, Tristan Woo, Ahmad Malik, Michael Geuenich, Gun Ho Jang, Dzana Dervovic, Khalid N. Al-Zahrani, Ricky Tsai, Nassima Fodil, Philippe Gros, Sachdev S Sidhu, Stephen Gallinger, G. Gregory Neely, Kieran Campbell, Faiyaz Notta, Ataman Sendoel, Daniel Schramek. In vivo CRISPR screens reveal SCAF1 and USP15 as novel drivers of pancreatic cancer. | Jun 2024
Mol Syst Biology.
YiQing Lü, Tiffany Cho, Saptaparna Mukherjee, Ahmad Malik, Nicolas S. Gonzalez-Foutel, Carmen Florencia Suarez, Dzana Dervovic, Robin Hyunseo Oh, Ellen Langille, Khalid N. Al- Zahrani, Zhen Yuan Lin, Ricky Tsai, Varda Rotter, Patricia Ashton-Prolla, Lucia B. Chemes, Jason Moffat, Anne-Claude Gingras, Moshe Oren, Daniel Durocher, Daniel Schramek.
Genome-wide CRISPR screens identify novel regulators of wild-type and mutant p53 stability. |Apr 2024
Nature Communication
Dervovic D, Malik AA, Chen ELY, Narimatsu M, Adler N, Afiuni-Zadeh S, Krenbek D, Martinez S, Tsai R, Boucher J, Berman JM, Teng K, Ayyaz A, Lü Y, Mbamalu G, Loganathan SK, Lee J, Zhang L, Guidos C, Wrana J, Valipour A, Roux PP, Reimand J, Jackson HW, Schramek D. In vivo CRISPR screens reveal Serpinb9 and Adam2 as regulators of immune therapy response in lung cancer. |May 2023
Cancers
Yue Yan, Marc-Andre Gauthier, Ahmad Malik, Iosifina Fotiadou, Michael Ostrovski, Dzana Dervovic, Logine Ghadban, Ricky Tsai, Gerald Gish, Sampath Kumar Loganathan, Daniel Schramek. (2023) The NOTCH-RIPK4-IRF6-ELOVL4 Axis Suppresses Squamous Cell Carcinoma. |Jan 2023
Journal for Immunotherapy of Cancer
Yao J, Ly D, Dervovic D, Fang L, Lee JB, Kang, Wang Y, Pham NA, Pan H, Tsao MS, Zhang L. Human double negative T cells target lung cancer via ligand-dependent mechanisms that can be enhanced by IL-15. | Jan 2019
Biomarker Research
Ichim CV, Dervovic DD, Chan LSA, Robertson CJ, Chesney A, Reis MD, and Wells RA. The orphan nuclear receptor EAR-2 (NR2F6) inhibits hematopoietic cell differentiation and induces myeloid dysplasia in vivo. | Dec 2018
Nature Genetics
Gayden T, Sepulveda FE, Khuong-Quang DA, Pratt J, Valera ET, Garrigue A, Kelso S, Sicheri F, Mikael LG, Hamel N, Bajic A, Dali R, Deshmukh S, Dervovic D, Schramek D, Guerin F, Taipale M, Nikbakht H, Majewski J, Moshous D, Charlebois J, Abish S, Bole- Feysot C, Nitschke P, Bader-Meunier B, Mitchell D, Thieblemont C, Battistella M, Gravel S, Nguyen VH, Conyers R, Diana JS, McCormack C, Prince HM, Besnard M, Blanche S, Ekert PG, Fraitag S, Foulkes WD, Fischer A, Neven B, Michonneau D, de Saint Basile G, Jabado
N. Germiline HAVCR2 mutations altering TIM-3 characterize subcutaneous panninculitis-like T cell lymphomas with hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytic syndrome. | Jan 2019
Clinical and Experimental Immunology
Achita P, Dervovic D, Ly D, Lee JB, Haug T, Joe B, Hirano N, and Zhang L. Infusion of ex- vivo expanded human TCR-αβ+ double-negative regulatory T cells delays onset of xenogeneic graft-versus-host disease. | Sep 2018
Journal of Immunotoxicology
Metushi IG, Cai P, Dervovic D, Liu F, Lobach A, Nakagawa T, Uetrecht J. Development of a novel mouse model of amodiaquine-induced liver injury with a delayed onset. | Jul 2015
Blood
Benveniste P, Serra P, Dervovic D,Herer E., Knowels G., Mothashami M., Zuniga Pflucker JC. Notch signals are required for in vitro but not in vivo maintenance of human hematopoietic stem cells and delay the appearance of multipotent progenitors | Feb 2014
Experimental Hematology; Shared 1st authorship
Ichim CV, Dervović DD, Zuniga-Pflucker JC., Wells RA. The Orphan Nuclear Receptor Ear-2 (Nr2f6) Is a Novel Negative Regulator of T Cell Development. |
Jan 2014
The Journal of Immunology
Dervovic DD, Liang HC, Cannons JL, Elford AR, Mohtashami M, Ohashi PS, Schwartzberg PL, Zuniga-Pflucker JC. Cellular and molecular requirements for the selection of in vitro- generated CD8 T cells reveal a role for Notch. |
Aug 2013
The Journal of Immunology
Dervovic DD, Ciofani M, Kianizad K, Zuniga-Pflucker JC. Comparative and functional evaluation of in vitro generated to ex vivo CD8 T cells. |
Oct 2012
Seminars in Immunology
Dervović D, Zuniga-Pflucker JC. Positive selection of T cells, an in vitro view. |Oct 2010
CONFERENCES (SELECTED)
• Invited Speaker: In vivo CRISPR screens reveal Serpinb9 and Adam2 as regulators of immune therapy response in lung cancer (2023) BioTechX Europe, Basel, Europe
• Invited Speaker: In vivo CRISPR technology platform (2023) FGX, Cambridge, UK, Europe.
• Invited Speaker: In vivo CRISPR screens reveal Serpinb9 and Adam2 as regulators of immune therapy response in lung cancer (2023) ELRIG, Oxford, England, Europe.
• Invited Speaker: The quest for novel regulators of the immune response in mouse models of human cancer(2018), TFRI, Toronto, Canada.
• Invited Speaker: Uncover the potential that lies within the cell, International Conference and Exhibition on Cell & Gene Therapy, Las Vegas, USA (2014).
• Invited Speaker: Cellular and molecular profiling of CD8 T cell differentiation with respect to positive and negative selection in vitro reveals a role for Notch signaling (2012) The American Association of Immunologists, Boston, USA
• Invited Speaker: Notch all the way: from HSC to CD8 T cell selection. Immunology Annual Retreat. Geneva Park, Simcoe/Muskoka, Canada (2011).
• Invited Speaker: Notch-ligand expressing OP9 stromal cells regulate selection of functionally mature conventional CD8+ T cells (2010) ThymOz Conference. Heron Island, Australia.
• Invited Speaker: Induction of Antigen-specific Response by in vitro generated CD8+ cytotoxic T cells (2008) Molecular and Cellular Biology Annual Retreat. University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada (2008).
Websites
- https://www.linkedin.com/in/dzanadervovicphd/
- https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=HNfUv5QAAAAJ&hl=en
- https://mbd.utoronto.ca/research/research-portfolio/mbd-post-doctoral-fellows-2017/
- https://firstwordpharma.com/story/1745365
- https://uhntrainees.ca/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/ORT-Times-OCT-2013.pdf
- https://sunnybrook.ca/uploads/sri_nexus_2009winter.pdf
- https://www.jczplab.com/alumni
Timeline
Senior Scientist
Astra Zeneca
08.2022 - Current
Postdoctoral Fellow With Dr. Daniel Schramek
LTRI, Mount Sinai Hospital,
12.2015 - 08.2022
Consulting Postdoctoral Research Fellow
University of Toronto in collaboration with Jonhson & Jonhson
07.2013 - 04.2014
Postdoctoral Research Fellow With DR. Li Zhang
University Health Network
04.2013 - 12.2015
Scientific Advisor
Sephos Biotherapeutics
04.2013 - 12.2014
Ph.D. - Immunology
University of Toronto
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