Diantha Pillay

Diantha Pillay is the Director of Global Product Access and Medical Science Liaison focusing on access and medical affairs for the first long-acting, woman controlled, HIV prevention product, the dapivirine vaginal ring.

Pillay has over 15 years of experience working in female sexual and reproductive health research, implementation, and programming across multiple African countries. Pillay’s research interests have focused on biomedical HIV prevention, STI care and treatment, and contraception research and new product introduction. Her experience spans basic science research, clinical trials, social and behavioral science, operational and implementation science research, healthcare provider education, and product market introduction research.

Pillay’s work in public health focuses on improving the health and wellbeing of the most marginalized members of society, with a focus on adolescent girls and young women, continuously seeking out ways in which research can inform practice and policy, and how research can be translated in action.

Given Pillay’s commitment to research into action, she led research on the contraceptive implant and oral PrEP in South Africa, that influenced national level planning, implementation, and programming through her active role on the South African National Department of Health’s PrEP technical working group, which she continues to be apart of.

In 2019, Pillay was recognized for her contributions to the field of public health by being awarded a place in the Mail and Guardians “200 Young South African’s” awards. This award highlights the contributions of individuals under the age of 35 who are making significant impacts in society.

Pillay holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Biomedical Science, a Bachelor of Medical Science Honours degree in Medical Biochemistry (Environmental Toxicology), and a Master of Public Health focusing on Epidemiology and Biostatics. Pillay is currently reading toward a PhD in Public Health at the University of Cape Town in the Centre for Environmental and Occupational Health Research. Her PhD focuses on the intersections between environmental health and sexual and reproductive health.