Overview
Background
Prof Colleen Lau - MBBS (UWA), MPHTM (JCU), PhD (UQ), FRACGP, FACTM, FISTM.
Prof Colleen Lau is an NHMRC Fellow and Professorial Research Fellow at the UQ Centre for Clinical Research. Her areas of expertise include emerging infectious diseases, neglected tropical diseases, and clinical travel medicine. Her wide range of research interests include infectious disease epidemiology, spatial epidemiology and disease mapping, infectious disease surveillance and elimination, vaccinations, travel health, environmental health, and digital decision support tools. Professor Lau’s research projects focus on answering practical questions in clinical management of infectious diseases and operational questions on improving strategies to solve public health problems. She leads UQ's HERA program on Operational Research and Decision Support for Infectious Diseases (ODeSI).
Availability
- Professor Colleen Lau is:
- Available for supervision
- Media expert
Fields of research
Qualifications
- Bachelor of Medicine and Surgery and Medical Science, University of Western Australia
- Postgraduate Diploma in Travel Medicine, James Cook University
- Masters (Coursework) of Public Health and Tropical Medicine, James Cook University
- Doctor of Philosophy of Public Health, The University of Queensland
- Member, American Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene, American Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene
- Member, Asia Pacific Travel Health Society, Asia Pacific Travel Health Society
- Fellow, Australasian College of Tropical Medicine, Australasian College of Tropical Medicine
- Board Member, Australasian College of Tropical Medicine, Australasian College of Tropical Medicine
- Honorary Academic, Australian National University, Australian National University
- Board Member, Healthy Environments and Lives (HEAL) Network, Healthy Environments and Lives (HEAL) Network
- Fellow, International Society of Travel Medicine, International Society of Travel Medicine
- Honorary Academic, James Cook University, James Cook University
- Journal Editorial Board Member, Journal of Travel Medicine, Journal of Travel Medicine
- Journal Editorial Board Member, One Health, One Health
- Journal Editorial Board Member, PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases, PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases
- Fellow, Royal Australian College of General Practitioners, Royal Australian College of General Practitioners
- Journal Editorial Board Member, Socio-Environmental Systems Modelling, Socio-Environmental Systems Modelling
- Journal Editorial Board Member, Tropical Medicine and Infectious Disease, Tropical Medicine and Infectious Disease
Research interests
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Neglected Tropical Diseases
Operational research on lymphatic filariasis elimination. Spatial epidemiology. Disease hotspots. Integrated surveillance. Pacific Islands.
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Emerging Infectious Diseases
Leptospirosis. Arboviruses. Zoonoses. Spatial epidemiology and disease mapping. Environmental drivers of disease transmission and outbreaks.
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Clinical Travel Medicine
Vaccinations. Malaria prophylaxis. Health and wellbeing of travellers.
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Digital decision support tools
Works
Search Professor Colleen Lau’s works on UQ eSpace
Featured
2013
Journal Article
Dengue surveillance by proxy: travellers as sentinels for outbreaks in the Pacific Islands
Lau, C. L., Weinstein, P. and Slaney, D. (2013). Dengue surveillance by proxy: travellers as sentinels for outbreaks in the Pacific Islands. Epidemiology and Infection, 141 (11), 2328-2334. doi: 10.1017/S0950268813000058
Featured
2012
Journal Article
Leptospirosis in American Samoa - estimating and mapping risk using environmental data
Lau, Colleen L., Clements, Archie C. A., Skelly, Chris, Dobson, Annette J., Smythe, Lee D. and Weinstein, Philip (2012). Leptospirosis in American Samoa - estimating and mapping risk using environmental data. Plos Neglected Tropical Diseases, 6 (5) e1669, e1669. 1-e1669. 11. doi: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0001669
Featured
2012
Other Outputs
Environmental drivers of human Leptospirosis infection in American Samoa - emergence, risk analysis, and disease mapping
Lau, Colleen (2012). Environmental drivers of human Leptospirosis infection in American Samoa - emergence, risk analysis, and disease mapping. PhD Thesis, School of Population Health, The University of Queensland.
Featured
2010
Journal Article
Climate change, flooding, urbanisation and leptospirosis: Fuelling the fire?
Lau, Colleen L., Smythe, Lee D., Craig, Scott B. and Weinstein, Philip (2010). Climate change, flooding, urbanisation and leptospirosis: Fuelling the fire?. Transactions of the Royal Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene, 104 (10), 631-638. doi: 10.1016/j.trstmh.2010.07.002
Featured
2010
Journal Article
Leptospirosis: An emerging disease in travellers
Lau, Colleen, Smythe, Lee and Weinstein, Philip (2010). Leptospirosis: An emerging disease in travellers. Travel Medicine and Infectious Disease, 8 (1), 33-39. doi: 10.1016/j.tmaid.2009.12.002
2025
Journal Article
Persistent lymphatic filariasis transmission seven years after validation of elimination as a public health problem: a cross-sectional study in Tonga
Lawford, Harriet L.S., Tukia, ‘Ofa, Takai, Joseph, Sheridan, Sarah, Ward, Selina, Jian, Holly, Martin, Beatris Mario, ‘Ofanoa, Reynold and Lau, Colleen L. (2025). Persistent lymphatic filariasis transmission seven years after validation of elimination as a public health problem: a cross-sectional study in Tonga. The Lancet Regional Health - Western Pacific, 57 101513, 1-13. doi: 10.1016/j.lanwpc.2025.101513
2025
Other Outputs
Effectiveness and impact of rotavirus vaccination, real-world study: a systematic review
Yu, Fan, Cao, Jin, Furuya Kanamori, Luis, Kiani, Behzad, Lau, Colleen and Sartorius, Benn (2025). Effectiveness and impact of rotavirus vaccination, real-world study: a systematic review. Middletown, DE United States: INPLASY - International Platform of Registered Systematic Review and Meta-analysis Protocols. doi: 10.37766/inplasy2025.3.0055
2025
Journal Article
Spatial prediction of immunity gaps during a pandemic to inform decision making: A geostatistical case study of COVID-19 in Dominican Republic
Restrepo, Angela Cadavid, Martin, Beatris Mario, Mayfield, Helen J., Paulino, Cecilia Then, de St. Aubin, Michael, Duke, William, Jarolim, Petr, Oasan, Timothy, Gutierrez, Emily Zielinski, Ramm, Ronald Skewes, Dumas, Devan, Garnier, Salome, Etienne, Marie Caroline, Pena, Farah, Abdalla, Gabriela, Lopez, Beatriz, de la Cruz, Lucia, Henriquez, Bernarda, Baldwin, Margaret, Kucharski, Adam, Sartorius, Benn, Nilles, Eric J. and Lau, Colleen L. (2025). Spatial prediction of immunity gaps during a pandemic to inform decision making: A geostatistical case study of COVID-19 in Dominican Republic. Tropical Medicine and International Health. doi: 10.1111/tmi.14094
2025
Journal Article
The Utility of Infectious Disease Prevalence Studies to Inform Public Health Decision-Making in the Samoan Islands: A Systematic Review
Martin, Beatris Mario, Brown, Alison, Amosa-Lei Sam, Filipina, Tufa, Aifili, Furuya-Kanamori, Luis and Lau, Colleen L. (2025). The Utility of Infectious Disease Prevalence Studies to Inform Public Health Decision-Making in the Samoan Islands: A Systematic Review. Tropical Medicine and Infectious Disease, 10 (3) 71, 1-16. doi: 10.3390/tropicalmed10030071
2025
Journal Article
Overseas- and locally-acquired sexually transmissible infections in Australia, 2017-2023
Shiferaw, Wondimeneh, Dean, Judith A., Mills, Deborah, Lau, Colleen L. and Furuya-Kanamori, Luis (2025). Overseas- and locally-acquired sexually transmissible infections in Australia, 2017-2023. Journal of Travel Medicine, 32 (3) taaf022. doi: 10.1093/jtm/taaf022
2025
Journal Article
Systematic review exploring the burden of sexually transmissible infections and bloodborne viruses in refugees and asylum seekers: insights to inform policy and practice
Shiferaw, Wondimeneh, Martin, Beatris Mario, Dean, Judith Ann, Koh, Kenneth, Mills, Deborah, Lau, Colleen and Furuya-Kanamori, Luis (2025). Systematic review exploring the burden of sexually transmissible infections and bloodborne viruses in refugees and asylum seekers: insights to inform policy and practice. Sexually Transmitted Infections sextrans-2024-056395, 1-12. doi: 10.1136/sextrans-2024-056395
2025
Journal Article
Advancing adoptability and sustainability of digital prediction tools for climate-sensitive infectious disease prevention and control
Phung, Dung, Colón-González, Felipe J., Weinberger, Daniel M., Bui, Vinh, Nghiem, Son, Chu, Cordia, Phung, Hai, Sinh Vu, Nam, Doan, Quang-Van, Hashizume, Masahiro, Lau, Colleen L., Reid, Simon, Phan, Lan Trong, Tran, Duong Nhu, Pham, Cong Tuan, Do, Kien Quoc and Dubrow, Robert (2025). Advancing adoptability and sustainability of digital prediction tools for climate-sensitive infectious disease prevention and control. Nature Communications, 16 (1) 1644, 1-8. doi: 10.1038/s41467-025-56826-6
2025
Journal Article
A study protocol for developing a spatial vulnerability index for infectious diseases of poverty in the Caribbean region
Kiani, Behzad, Mario Martin, Beatris, Cadavid Restrepo, Angela, Mayfield, Helen J., Skinner, Eloise, Karina Maldonado Alcaíno, Ana, Nilles, Eric J., Lau, Colleen L. and Sartorius, Benn (2025). A study protocol for developing a spatial vulnerability index for infectious diseases of poverty in the Caribbean region. Global Health Action, 18 (1) 2461867, 2461867-1. doi: 10.1080/16549716.2025.2461867
2025
Journal Article
Sensitivity of anti-filarial antibodies for lymphatic filariasis surveillance: Insights from a serological survey in Samoa in 2018
Lawford, Harriet L. S., Sartorius, Benn, Mayfield, Helen J., Sam, Filipina Amosa-Lei, Viali, Satupaitea, Kamu, Tito, Thomsen, Robert and Lau, Colleen L. (2025). Sensitivity of anti-filarial antibodies for lymphatic filariasis surveillance: Insights from a serological survey in Samoa in 2018. PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases, 19 (1) e0012835, 1-19. doi: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0012835
2025
Journal Article
Overseas-acquired infections in travellers returning to Queensland, Australia
Furuya-Kanamori, Luis, Young, Megan, Williams, Olivia, Vasant, Bhakti, Mills, Deborah J, Lau, Colleen L and Smoll, Nicolas (2025). Overseas-acquired infections in travellers returning to Queensland, Australia. Journal of Travel Medicine, 32 (3). doi: 10.1093/jtm/taaf010
2025
Journal Article
Long-term immunogenicity of a single-dose live recombinant chimeric Japanese encephalitis vaccine in adults
Mills, Deborah J, Gyawali, Narayan, Nammunige, Nirupama A, Mills, Christine, Devine, Gregor J, Lau, Colleen L and Furuya-Kanamori, Luis (2025). Long-term immunogenicity of a single-dose live recombinant chimeric Japanese encephalitis vaccine in adults. Journal of Travel Medicine, 32 (2) taaf006. doi: 10.1093/jtm/taaf006
2025
Journal Article
Integrating post-validation surveillance of lymphatic filariasis with the WHO STEPwise approach to non-communicable disease risk factor surveillance in Niue, a study protocol
Craig, Adam T., Lawford, Harriet, Mokoia, Grizelda, Ikimau, Minerva, Fetaui, Peter, Marqardt, Tonia and Lau, Colleen L. (2025). Integrating post-validation surveillance of lymphatic filariasis with the WHO STEPwise approach to non-communicable disease risk factor surveillance in Niue, a study protocol. PLoS One, 20 (1) e0315625, 1-12. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0315625
2025
Journal Article
Laboratory comparison of rapid antigen diagnostic tests for lymphatic filariasis: STANDARD Q Filariasis Antigen Test (QFAT) versus bioline Filariasis Test Strip (FTS)
Graves, Patricia M., Scott, Jessica L., Berg Soto, Alvaro, Widi, Antin Y. N., Whittaker, Maxine, Lau, Colleen L. and Won, Kimberly Y. (2025). Laboratory comparison of rapid antigen diagnostic tests for lymphatic filariasis: STANDARD Q Filariasis Antigen Test (QFAT) versus bioline Filariasis Test Strip (FTS). Tropical Medicine and Infectious Disease, 10 (1) 23, 1-1515. doi: 10.3390/tropicalmed10010023
2025
Journal Article
Integrated Serosurveillance of Infectious Diseases Using Multiplex Bead Assays: A Systematic Review
Ward, Selina, Lawford, Harriet L. S., Sartorius, Benn and Lau, Colleen L. (2025). Integrated Serosurveillance of Infectious Diseases Using Multiplex Bead Assays: A Systematic Review. Tropical Medicine and Infectious Disease, 10 (1) 19, 1-20. doi: 10.3390/tropicalmed10010019
2025
Journal Article
Fatal journeys: causes of death in international travellers in South America
Allel, Kasim, Cabada, Miguel M, Kiani, Behzad, Martin, Beatris Mario, Tanabe, Melinda, Restrepo, Angela Cadavid, De Souza Dos Santos, Gabriela, Lloveras, Susana, Shiferaw, Wondimeneh, Sartorius, Benn, Mills, Deborah J, Lau, Colleen L and Furuya-Kanamori, Luis (2025). Fatal journeys: causes of death in international travellers in South America. Journal of Travel Medicine, 32 (1) taae119, 1-11. doi: 10.1093/jtm/taae119
Funding
Current funding
Supervision
Availability
- Professor Colleen Lau is:
- Available for supervision
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Available projects
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Epidemiology of notifiable diseases in Australia
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Vaccine preventable diseases in travellers
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Risk benefit analysis and decision support tools for vaccines
Supervision history
Current supervision
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Doctor Philosophy
Integrated Surveillance of Neglected Tropical Diseases and Vaccine-Preventable Diseases
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Associate Professor Benn Sartorius, Dr Harriet Lawford
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Doctor Philosophy
Machine learning in epidemiology research on African Swine Fever epidemic in the Philippines Outline
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Associate Professor Luis Furuya Kanamori, Associate Professor Yoni Nazarathy, Associate Professor Benn Sartorius
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Doctor Philosophy
Spatio-temporal epidemiology of vector-borne diseases in the Dominican Republic
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Helen Mayfield, Dr Angela Cadavid Restrepo, Associate Professor Benn Sartorius
-
Doctor Philosophy
A big-data approach to the epidemiology of foodborne and enteric zoonoses in Queensland
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Dwan Vilcins, Professor Ricardo Soares Magalhaes
-
Doctor Philosophy
Epidemiology and burden of rotavirus infections in Australia
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Associate Professor Luis Furuya Kanamori, Dr Behzad Kiani, Associate Professor Benn Sartorius
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Doctor Philosophy
Enhancing infectious disease surveillance through the integration of routinely collected data
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Amalie Dyda
-
Doctor Philosophy
Effectiveness of digital Dengue early warning system (E-DENGUE) for Dengue control in the Mekong Delta Region
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Associate Professor Dung Phung
-
Doctor Philosophy
Delivering human and ecosystem health co-benefits through integrated watewater management: improving disease prevention, fisheries, and marine environments in Fiji
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Amelia Wenger, Dr Helen Mayfield, Associate Professor Carissa Klein
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Doctor Philosophy
Assessing risk of importation of sexually transmitted infections into Australia by international travellers
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Associate Professor Judith Dean, Associate Professor Luis Furuya Kanamori
-
Doctor Philosophy
A big-data approach to the epidemiology of foodborne and enteric zoonoses in Queensland
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Dwan Vilcins, Professor Ricardo Soares Magalhaes
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Doctor Philosophy
Integrated watershed management for public and ecosystem health in the Pacific Islands: overlapping drivers and strategies to prevent leptospirosis and improve coral reef health
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Helen Mayfield, Dr Amelia Wenger, Associate Professor Carissa Klein
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Doctor Philosophy
Gram-negative bloodstream infections in Australian children
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Geoff Spurling, Mr Mark Chatfield, Associate Professor Adam Irwin
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Doctor Philosophy
The long-term cardiovascular complications of COVID-19
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Helen Mayfield, Professor Nathan Palpant, Professor Kirsty Short
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Doctor Philosophy
The long-term cardiovascular complications of COVID-19
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Helen Mayfield, Professor Nathan Palpant, Professor Kirsty Short
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Doctor Philosophy
Delivering human and ecosystem health co-benefits through integrated watewater management: improving disease prevention, fisheries, and marine environments in Fiji
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Helen Mayfield, Dr Amelia Wenger, Associate Professor Carissa Klein
Completed supervision
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2019
Doctor Philosophy
Spatiotemporal impact of an eight-year mass drug administration programme on soil transmitted helminth infections and anaemia in Burundi.
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Ricardo Soares Magalhaes
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2019
Doctor Philosophy
Spatial epidemiological approaches to quantify the role of soil-transmitted helminths (STH) in cognitive dysfunction in school-aged population
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Mark Nielsen, Professor Ricardo Soares Magalhaes
Media
Enquiries
Contact Professor Colleen Lau directly for media enquiries about:
- Infectious diseases
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