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
- Board Member, Australasian College of Tropical Medicine, Australasian College of Tropical Medicine
- Fellow, 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
- 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
-
Neglected Tropical Diseases
Operational research on lymphatic filariasis elimination. Spatial epidemiology. Disease hotspots. Integrated surveillance. Pacific Islands.
-
Emerging Infectious Diseases
Leptospirosis. Arboviruses. Zoonoses. Spatial epidemiology and disease mapping. Environmental drivers of disease transmission and outbreaks.
-
Clinical Travel Medicine
Vaccinations. Malaria prophylaxis. Health and wellbeing of travellers.
-
Digital decision support tools
Works
Search Professor Colleen Lau’s works on UQ eSpace
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. 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
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
Current Gaps in Survey Design and Analysis for Molecular Xenomonitoring of Vector-Borne Neglected Tropical Diseases: A Systematic Review
McLure, Angus, Alamnia, Tilahun, Xu, Zhiwei, Lau, Colleen L. and Mayfield, Helen J. (2025). Current Gaps in Survey Design and Analysis for Molecular Xenomonitoring of Vector-Borne Neglected Tropical Diseases: A Systematic Review. Tropical Medicine and International Health, 30 (9) tmi.70017, 893-907. doi: 10.1111/tmi.70017
2025
Journal Article
Mapping the prevalence of soil-transmitted helminth infections in the Western Pacific Region: a spatial modelling study
Gilmour, Beth, Wolde, Haileab Fekadu, Wangdi, Kinley, Restrepo, Angela Cadavid, Tsheten, Tsheten, Kelly, Matthew, Clements, Archie C.A., Gray, Darren, Lau, Colleen L., Espino, Fe Esperanza, Nery, Susana Vaz, Bartlett, Adam W., Liyew, Alemneh Mekuriaw, Akalu, Temesgen Yihunie and Alene, Kefyalew Addis (2025). Mapping the prevalence of soil-transmitted helminth infections in the Western Pacific Region: a spatial modelling study. The Lancet Regional Health - Western Pacific, 60 101581, 101581-60. doi: 10.1016/j.lanwpc.2025.101581
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
2025
Journal Article
Recurrence of microfilaraemia after triple-drug therapy for lymphatic filariasis in Samoa: recrudescence or reinfection?
Mayfield, Helen J., Muttucumaru, Ramona, Sartorius, Benn, Sheridan, Sarah, Ward, Selina, Martin, Beatris Mario, Hedtke, Shannon M., Thomsen, Robert, Viali, Satupaitea, Fatupaito, Glen, Lau, Colleen L. and Graves, Patricia M. (2025). Recurrence of microfilaraemia after triple-drug therapy for lymphatic filariasis in Samoa: recrudescence or reinfection?. International Journal of Infectious Diseases, 152 107809, 1-7. doi: 10.1016/j.ijid.2025.107809
2024
Journal Article
Epidemiology of lymphatic filariasis antigen and microfilaria in Samoa, 2019: 7–9 months post triple-drug mass administration
Mayfield, Helen J., Lawford, Harriet, Sartorius, Benn, Graves, Patricia M., Sheridan, Sarah, Kearns, Therese, Hedtke, Shannon M., Gass, Katherine, Naseri, Take, Thomsen, Robert and Lau, Colleen L. (2024). Epidemiology of lymphatic filariasis antigen and microfilaria in Samoa, 2019: 7–9 months post triple-drug mass administration. Tropical Medicine and Infectious Disease, 9 (12) 311, 1-13. doi: 10.3390/tropicalmed9120311
2024
Journal Article
Seroepidemiology of human leptospirosis in the Dominican Republic: A multistage cluster survey, 2021
Nilles, Eric J., Paulino, Cecilia Then, Galloway, Renee, de St. Aubin, Michael, Mayfield, Helen J., Cadavid Restrepo, Angela, Dumas, Devan, Garnier, Salome, Etienne, Marie Caroline, Duke, William, Peña, Farah, Iihoshi, Naomi, Abdalla, Gabriela, Lopez, Beatriz, de la Cruz, Lucia, Henríquez, Bernarda, Durski, Kara, Baldwin, Margaret, Loevinsohn, Gideon, Rees, Eleanor M., Martin, Beatris, Sartorius, Benn, Skewes-Ramm, Ronald, Gutiérrez, Emily Zielinski, Kucharski, Adam and Lau, Colleen L. (2024). Seroepidemiology of human leptospirosis in the Dominican Republic: A multistage cluster survey, 2021. PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases, 18 (12) e0012463, 1-17. doi: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0012463
2024
Journal Article
Perspectives on the implementation of post-validation surveillance for lymphatic filariasis in the Pacific Islands: A nominal group technique-based study protocol
Craig, Adam T., Lawford, Harriet, Viali, Satupaitea, Tuitama, George and Lau, Colleen L. (2024). Perspectives on the implementation of post-validation surveillance for lymphatic filariasis in the Pacific Islands: A nominal group technique-based study protocol. PLoS One, 19 (12) e0313957, 1-9. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0313957
2024
Journal Article
Chikungunya outbreak risks after the 2014 outbreak, Dominican Republic
Loevinsohn, Gideon, Then Paulino, Cecilia, Spring, Jessica, Hughes, Holly R., Cadavid Restrepo, Angela, Mayfield, Helen, de St. Aubin, Michael, Laven, Janeen, Panella, Amanda, Duke, William, Etienne, Marie Caroline, Abdalla, Gabriela, Garnier, Salome, Iihoshi, Naomi, Lopez, Beatriz, de la Cruz, Lucia, Henríquez, Bernarda, Baldwin, Margaret, Peña, Farah, Kucharski, Adam J., Vasquez, Marietta, Zielinski Gutiérrez, Emily, Brault, Aaron C., Skewes-Ramm, Ronald, Lau, Colleen L. and Nilles, Eric J. (2024). Chikungunya outbreak risks after the 2014 outbreak, Dominican Republic. Emerging Infectious Diseases, 30 (12), 2679-2683. doi: 10.3201/eid3012.240824
2024
Journal Article
Molecular xenomonitoring as an indicator of microfilaraemia prevalence for lymphatic filariasis in Samoa in 2019
Howlett, Maddison, Mayfield, Helen J., McPherson, Brady, Rigby, Lisa, Thomsen, Robert, Williams, Steven A., Pilotte, Nils, Hedtke, Shannon M., Graves, Patricia M., Kearns, Therese, Naseri, Take, Sheridan, Sarah, McLure, Angus and Lau, Colleen L. (2024). Molecular xenomonitoring as an indicator of microfilaraemia prevalence for lymphatic filariasis in Samoa in 2019. Parasites and Vectors, 17 (1) 382, 382. doi: 10.1186/s13071-024-06463-7
2024
Journal Article
Correction to: Protocol for spatial prediction of soil transmitted helminth prevalence in the Western Pacific region using a meta-analytical approach (Systematic Reviews, (2024), 13, 1, (55), 10.1186/s13643-024-02469-5) Correction to: Protocol for spatial prediction of soil transmitted helminth prevalence in the Western Pacific region using a meta-analytical approach (Systematic Reviews, (2024), 13, 1, (55), 10.1186/s13643-024-02469-5)
Gilmour, Beth, Wangdi, Kingley, Restrepo, Angela Cadavid, Tsheten, Tsheten, Kelly, Matthew, Clements, Archie, Gray, Darren, Lau, Colleen, Espino, Fe Esperanza, Daga, Chona, Mapalo, Vanessa, Nery, Susana Vaz, Bartlett, Adam, Gebreyohannes, Eyob Alemayehu and Alene, Kefyalew Addis (2024). Correction to: Protocol for spatial prediction of soil transmitted helminth prevalence in the Western Pacific region using a meta-analytical approach (Systematic Reviews, (2024), 13, 1, (55), 10.1186/s13643-024-02469-5) Correction to: Protocol for spatial prediction of soil transmitted helminth prevalence in the Western Pacific region using a meta-analytical approach (Systematic Reviews, (2024), 13, 1, (55), 10.1186/s13643-024-02469-5). Systematic Reviews, 13 (1) 71, 71. doi: 10.1186/s13643-024-02495-3
2024
Journal Article
Investigating behaviours and attitudes regarding recommended vaccination in adults 50 years and above in Australia
Dyda, Amalie, Lawford, Harriet, Lau, Colleen L. and Sampson, Kim (2024). Investigating behaviours and attitudes regarding recommended vaccination in adults 50 years and above in Australia. Australian Journal of Primary Health, 30 (6) PY24055, 1-9. doi: 10.1071/PY24055
2024
Journal Article
Measles secondary vaccine failure in a childcare setting: an outbreak report
Barnekow, Donna, Neucom, Debbie, Tout, Wendy, Williams, Dustylee, Thomas, Michael J., Pyke, Alyssa, Roser, Madisen S., Tranter, Isaac, Dyda, Amalie, Lau, Colleen L. and Smoll, Nicolas R. (2024). Measles secondary vaccine failure in a childcare setting: an outbreak report. Communicable Diseases Intelligence, 48 61. doi: 10.33321/cdi.2024.48.61
2024
Journal Article
Using health literacy principles to improve understanding of evolving evidence in health emergencies: optimisation and evaluation of a COVID-19 vaccination risk-benefit calculator
Bonner, Carissa, Taba, Melody, Fajardo, Michael Anthony, Batcup, Carys, Newell, Ben R., Li, Amy X., Mayfield, Helen J., Lau, Colleen L. and Litt, John C.B. (2024). Using health literacy principles to improve understanding of evolving evidence in health emergencies: optimisation and evaluation of a COVID-19 vaccination risk-benefit calculator. Vaccine, 42 (24) 126296, 126296. doi: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2024.126296
2024
Journal Article
Convergence of SARS-CoV-2 spike antibody levels to a population immune setpoint
Nilles, Eric J., Roberts, Kathryn, de St Aubin, Michael, Mayfield, Helen, Restrepo, Angela Cadavid, Garnier, Salome, Abdalla, Gabriela, Etienne, Marie Caroline, Duke, William, Dumas, Devan, Jarolim, Petr, Oasan, Timothy, Peña, Farah, Lopez, Beatriz, Cruz, Lucia de la, Sanchez, Isaac Miguel, Murray, Kristy, Baldwin, Margaret, Skewes-Ramm, Ronald, Paulino, Cecilia Then, Lau, Colleen L. and Kucharski, Adam (2024). Convergence of SARS-CoV-2 spike antibody levels to a population immune setpoint. eBioMedicine, 108 105319, 105319. doi: 10.1016/j.ebiom.2024.105319
Funding
Current funding
Supervision
Availability
- Professor Colleen Lau is:
- Available for supervision
Before you email them, read our advice on how to contact a supervisor.
Supervision history
Current supervision
-
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
-
Doctor Philosophy
Integrated Surveillance of Neglected Tropical Diseases and Vaccine-Preventable Diseases
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Associate Professor Benn Sartorius, Dr Harriet Lawford
-
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
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, Associate Professor Carissa Klein
-
Doctor Philosophy
Enhancing infectious disease surveillance through the integration of routinely collected data
Associate Advisor
-
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
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
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
Epidemiology and burden of rotavirus infections in Australia
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Associate Professor Luis Furuya Kanamori, Dr Behzad Kiani, Associate Professor Benn Sartorius
-
Doctor Philosophy
Gram-negative bloodstream infections in Australian children
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Geoff Spurling, Mr Mark Chatfield
-
Doctor Philosophy
The long-term cardiovascular complications of SARS-CoV-2 infection and COVID-19 vaccines
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Helen Mayfield, Professor Nathan Palpant, Professor Kirsty Short
Completed supervision
-
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
-
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
Need help?
For help with finding experts, story ideas and media enquiries, contact our Media team: