Biography
Gautam Pillay joined Marshall in 2026 from the University of Cincinnati, where he served as associate dean for research in the College of Engineering and Applied Science.
Pillay brings more than three decades of leadership experience spanning higher education, university-affiliated research organizations, nonprofit research corporations and U.S. Department of Energy national laboratory environments. Throughout his career, he has led efforts to increase sponsored research, strengthen research administration and compliance, expand industry partnerships and foster innovation ecosystems.
During his tenure at UC, the college’s annual sponsored research portfolio grew from approximately $15 million in fiscal year 2019 to more than $50 million in fiscal year 2025. Pillay also established the college’s first Office of Research, expanded grant-writing and research administration support, created new undergraduate research opportunities and helped secure major partnerships focused on semiconductor workforce development, regional innovation, federal research initiatives and industry collaboration.
Earlier in his career, Pillay served as executive director and chief executive officer of the Inland Northwest Research Alliance, where he strengthened partnerships among leading research universities and national laboratories. He has also served as chief research officer at multiple universities, helping institutions grow research capacity while supporting faculty success and strategic collaboration.
Pillay earned his Ph.D. in chemical engineering from Texas A&M University and his B.S. in chemical engineering, with high honors, from New Mexico State University.