Dr Katie Gilligan is currently a Lecturer and Principal Investigator at Atlantic Technological University Galway, where she leads translational oncology research focused on extracellular vesicle (EV)-based therapeutics and diagnostics for metastatic cancer. Her research aims to develop clinically translatable EV technologies to improve the detection, monitoring and treatment of metastatic disease.

Following completion of her PhD in Medicine at the University of Galway, Katie joined OmniSpirant Therapeutics. During this time, she led translational research programmes as Head of Research and Development, which focused on EV therapeutics for lung cancer and cystic fibrosis and coordinated scientific activities within a large Horizon Europe consortium. In 2024, she returned to academia at ATU, where she is establishing an independent research group focused on translational oncology and EV technologies. Her work brings together her academic and industrial experience to address key translational challenges in metastatic cancer, with a strong emphasis on clinically and commercially relevant therapeutic and diagnostic platforms.