Michelle Gallaher

CEO

Cerulea Clinical Trials, Australia

Michelle is an award-winning health technology entrepreneur with a particular interest in artificial intelligence, clinical trials and ethics.

Recently commencing as the inaugural CEO of Cerulea Clinical Trials in 2024, a spin out from the Centre for Eye Research Australia, Michelle’s current focus is on building a world-leading ophthalmic clinical trials site specialising in gene therapy trials, medical devices and applying emerging efficiency solutions.

Commencing in allied health, Michelle’s career spans clinical and executive leadership roles in public and private biopharmaceutical and technology companies as well as major national research initiatives and leading a biotech peak-body.

Michelle moved from the corporate world in 2014 to found her first startup successfully selling that business three years later into a US-based ASX listed technology company, ShareRoot (ASX:SRO). Michelle went on to lead ShareRoot, pivoting in 2019 into a new company, Opyl Ltd (ASX:OPL), applying AI to improving clinical trial efficiencies.

The appropriate application of AI in healthcare and the role of ethics and digital leadership in technology development is a key issue that Michelle is renowned for as a key opinion leader and advocate.
Michelle is an experienced non-executive director serving on several commercial and NFP boards, and is co-founder of not-for-profit advocacy organisation, Women in STEMM Australia.
Michelle is a Victorian Honour Roll for Women inductee, Victorian Telstra Businesswoman and Entrepreneur of the Year, and a winner of Westpac’s 200 Businesses of Tomorrow.

Michelle has an undergraduate degree in applied science, postgraduate qualifications in business and product management, a Global Executive MBA, is a graduate of the Institute for Company Directors and a Fellow of the Australian Institute for Management.