Peter Piot

Independent Director

Professor of Global Health and Emeritus Director, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine

Sir Peter Piot is a physician, microbiologist, and global health leader who serves as Senior Advisor for Global Health at the Gates Foundation, Visiting Professor at KU Leuven and the National University of Singapore, and independent director of Biocon Biologics, Biological-E, Vestergaard, and Bluesquare. He is the former Founding Executive Director of UNAIDS and United Nations Under-Secretary-General, and served as Special Advisor on Health Security to European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen. Sir Peter co-discovered the Ebola virus in 1976 and is internationally recognized for his pioneering contributions to HIV/AIDS research, infectious disease control, and global health policy.

Academic Leadership and Publications

Sir Peter has held senior leadership and academic positions at leading global health institutions, including the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, the World Health Organization, Imperial College London, and the Institute of Tropical Medicine Antwerp. He has authored over 650 scientific publications and 17 books and has served on the editorial boards of leading journals, including The Lancet and AIDS.

Board, Advisory Roles and Scientific Memberships

• Board member: Novartis Foundation, Vestergaard, Biocon Biologics, Biological-E, Bluesquare.
• Current and past advisory/governance roles: High-Level Panel on Reform of the Global Health Architecture, Japan Institute of Health Security, Pasteur Network, PREPARE and TechVAX (Singapore), Global Burden of Disease Independent Advisory Board, Flemish Institute for Biotechnology Advisory Board, CEPI, the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria, Oxford Martin School, and Medicines for Malaria Venture.
• Member or fellow of leading scientific academies: National Academy of Medicine (USA), Academy of Medical Sciences (UK), Leopoldina (Germany), Académie Nationale de Médecine (France), Royal Academy of Medicine of Belgium, and Royal College of Physicians (UK).

Education

MD (University of Ghent), PhD in Microbiology (University of Antwerp), and Diploma in Tropical Medicine (Institute of Tropical Medicine Antwerp), with advanced training at the CDC, Harvard University, and the University of Washington.

Selected Experience

Science

• Co-discovered the Ebola virus and contributed to pioneering research on HIV/AIDS, infectious diseases, and epidemic preparedness.
• Contributed to major scientific and policy responses during Ebola and COVID-19 outbreaks.
• Authored over 650 scientific publications and 17 books.

Leadership and Strategy

• Founding Executive Director of UNAIDS and former United Nations Under-Secretary-General.
• Former Director of the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine (2010–2021), overseeing significant institutional growth and global expansion.
• Strategic advisor to the European Commission and the Gates Foundation; contributor to global health initiatives including CEPI.

Governance and Innovation

• Extensive board and governance experience across international organizations, academia, foundations, and life sciences companies.
• Long-standing engagement in biotechnology, vaccines, diagnostics, and health innovation.

Policy and Global Engagement

• International advocate for public health and development policy.
• Engaged with governments, multilateral organizations, industry, and civil society to advance global health and expand access to healthcare.

Selected Honours and Awards

Sir Peter has received numerous international honours and awards, including:

• Baron of Belgium and Knight Commander (KCMG) of the United Kingdom.
• Grand Cordon of the Order of the Rising Sun, Japan.
• Canada Gairdner Global Health Award.
• Prince Mahidol Award.
• Robert Koch Gold Medal.
• WHO Director-General’s Life Achievement Award.
• Time Person of the Year (as one of the “Ebola Fighters”, 2014).

He has also received honorary doctorates from 11 universities and is a member of leading medical and scientific academies in Europe and North America.