Current as of 1/06/2023

After her undergraduate training, Dr Sleigh worked for 2 years in the research laboratories of Riker, a pharmaceutical company. In 1970, she moved to CSIRO, spent 2 years as a postdoctoral fellow at Cold Spring Harbor Laboratories, NY, and continued as a Research Scientist with CSIRO in Sydney. Her most notable work in this time, in collaboration with Dr Gerry Both, involved the unravelling of successive mutations in the influenza virus surface protein responsible for repeated vaccine resistance.

After nearly 20 years at CSIRO Dr Sleigh moved to Sydney biotechnology company, Peptech Ltd, as Research Director. Dr Sleigh became UNSW’s first female Dean when she was appointed head of the Faculty of Life Sciences in 1997, At UNSW she was notable for promoting links between Science and Commerce, including the introduction of an undergraduate Diploma in Innovation Management.

In 2001 she was appointed CEO of the startup biotechnology company EvoGenix Ltd. Over 6 years the company the company grew through acquisition of a US biotech, ASX listing, partnerships with major pharmaceutical companies and eventual takeover by Arana Therapeutics. Since 2007 she has worked as a consultant on research commercialisation and as a Board member of a variety of science-based and other companies and non-profit organisations, including ASX-listed EvoGenix, Tyrian Diagnostics, Clover Corporation and currently, BCAL Diagnostics. She has also served on an array of Governing Councils and advisory committees including ARC, AIMS, RIRDC and the Heart Research Institute (current).

Dr Sleigh was awarded a Centenary Medal in 2002 for her service to research and development. She was also a founding director of the Australian Biotechnology Association (1985-1987) and was awarded its President’s Medal for an outstanding contribution to the industry in 2008.

Dr Merilyn Sleigh has made significant contributions to biotechnology. She has an international reputation as shown by numerous invitations to conferences in the USA and UK. Her research includes studies
on influenza virus, gene regulation and design of vectors. She has published over 65 papers, as well as several patents.
Dr Sleigh has served on granting committees, currently including the Australian Research Council, advisory committees and working groups, and has spoken at graduation ceremonies at universities.
A long time staff member of CSIRO, including 18 months as Acting Chief of Division of Biotechnology, she is currently a senior executive of an Australian based pharmaceutical company.