Dr. Samanta Tresha Lalla-Edward

Holding a Master’s Degree in Social Behavioural Studies in HIV/AIDS I have worked in the field of HIV since 2006 and have exposure to clinical trial, social science and implementation science research as well as public health systems implementation. I am currently the Technical Head for Non-Communicable Disease Research at Wits Reproductive Health and HIV Institute (Wits RHI). This comes after working in monitoring and evaluation (M&E) for eight years and leading the Wits RHI’s dynamic M&E team and portfolio. With my approximately ten years of experience working in the NGO/academic arena my work has extended from developing M&E strategies, plans and frameworks, responding to donor requirements, and grant writing, to compiling M&E resource and capacity strengthening material and programmes. Aside from my role within Wits RHI, I have provided collaborative assistance to all levels of the Department of Health. My research interest lies in key/mobile population (particularly men’s) health with a current focus on truck and taxi drivers. Thus additional to working in South African implemented programmes I have experience in working in collaborative projects and evaluating a regionally implemented healthcare intervention for priority populations. My work has been presented at national and international conferences and published in peer and non-peer reviewed journals.