Organization: Institute of HIV Research and Innovation
Country: Thailand
Rena Janamnuaysook is a trans woman, implementation researcher and community leader working at the intersection of HIV, gender-affirming care and health systems reform in Asia. She serves as Director of Implementation Research and Innovation at the Institute of HIV Research and Innovation (IHRI) in Bangkok, Thailand, where she focuses on translating research evidence into equitable, community-led models of HIV prevention, treatment and sexual health services.
She co-established Tangerine Clinic, Asia’s first transgender-led integrated gender-affirming and sexual health clinic, which has evolved into a platform for implementation research, policy innovation and regional capacity building. Her research spans clinical trials, implementation science and health systems evaluation, with particular interests in hormone therapy and antiretroviral drug interactions, differentiated PrEP delivery, telehealth, mental health integration, stigma reduction and person-centred, community-led approaches to care.
Before joining IHRI in 2016, Rena worked in advocacy, policy and international development with such organizations as USAID’s Regional Development Mission for Asia, the Thai Red Cross AIDS Research Centre and global transgender rights organizations. She is a PhD candidate at the University of Amsterdam, where her research focuses on implementation strategies for community-led, transgender-competent HIV services.
Rena has contributed extensively to global HIV and transgender health policy through multiple World Health Organization Guidelines Development Groups, including those on long-acting injectable cabotegravir for HIV prevention, sexually transmitted infection prevention and care, and the health of trans and gender-diverse people. She served as Joint Guest Editor for a Journal of the International AIDS Society (JIAS) special issue on person-centred HIV care.
Rena has authored numerous JIAS publications and has participated in IAS conferences as a presenter and collaborator. Her work is driven by the belief that scientific innovation should be translated into equitable, sustainable and community-led health systems that improve the lives of people living with and affected by HIV.