Andrea Doolan
Chief Executive Officer
Andrea Doolan is the Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Atlantia Clinical Trials, a globally recognized CRO specializing in human clinical studies across the nutraceutical, pharmaceutical, cosmetic, and medical device space.
With over 25 years of experience in clinical research, she excels in the design and execution of clinical trial operations, consistently upholding the highest standards of quality and regulatory compliance. Her unwavering commitment to data integrity and strategic client success enables her to adeptly navigate the complexities of clinical trial management, leading to impactful and innovative outcomes.
Under her visionary leadership, Atlantia has evolved from an Irish spin-out company to a global leader with in-house clinical sites in Cork and Chicago, significantly enhancing its reputation for excellence in clinical trial management and making significant contributions to the advancement of medical science.
Background & Credentials
Expertise & Specialization
- Nutraceuticals & Microbiome Clinical Trials
- Molecular Biology & PCR Applications in Human Research
- Clinical Operations & Regulatory Compliance (ICH-GCP)
- Entrepreneurial Growth & International Expansion
- Strategic Client Partnerships and Team Leadership
Education & Training
- BSc in Microbiology, University of Galway
- Clinical Trials Coordinator, Harvard AIDS Clinical Trials Group, Massachusetts General Hospital
- Clinical Trials Manager at APC Microbiome Ireland, UCC prior to Atlantia's inception and spin out from the institution
Honors and Distinctions
- Winner, Matheson WMB Female Entrepreneur Award (2018)
- Participant in “Going for Growth” an initiative co-funded by Enterprise Ireland & KPMG
Years of Experience
- 25+ years of human clinical research in food, supplements, and pharmaceuticals
Experience
Total Years of Experience: An accomplished leader with over 25 years of expertise in clinical research, particularly in the management of clinical trials within the nutraceutical, pharmaceutical, cosmetic, and medical device sectors.
Career Journey: Andrea began her career in microbiology and clinical research, working at Massachusetts General Hospital for the Harvard AIDS Clinical Trials Group and the Dermatology Clinical Trials Unit. She later managed clinical trials at APC Microbiome Ireland before founding Atlantia Clinical Trials in 2012 as a spin-out from UCC. Since then, she has led the company from Cork to open a US clinical site in Chicago in 2019.
Collaborations: Andrea guides global clinical trial strategy and has played a key role in fostering Atlantia’s international expansion. She collaborates with leading sponsors across the nutraceutical, food, pharmaceutical, and medical device sectors to deliver studies that meet ICH-GCP standards. In addition to her corporate leadership, she is a committed mentor to women entrepreneurs and actively contributes to initiatives such as IGNITE UCC and programs aimed at inspiring the next generation of female business leaders.
Key Contributions: Andrea has strategically led Atlantia Clinical Trials from an Irish spin-out to a global clinical research leader, expanding its reach and impact. She has driven operational excellence through strict quality controls and fostered a strong, talent-driven team culture. Her client-focused leadership ensures project success and compliance, while her commitment to innovation has advanced clinical trial design and healthcare outcomes.
Role in the Company
Key Projects:
- Guided over 200 clinical trials covering nutrition, digestive health, cognition, metabolic and cardiovascular conditions
- Oversaw the opening of the Chicago clinic in 2019 to support U.S. and European market crossover studies
- Champions innovation projects like video capsule endoscopy and AI-personalized nutrition in collaboration with APC.