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
2022
Journal Article
Impact of a 5-year mass drug administration programme for soil-transmitted helminthiases on the spatial distribution of childhood anaemia in Burundi from 2007 to 2011
Assoum, Mohamad, Ortu, Giuseppina, Basáñez, Maria-Gloria, Lau, Colleen, Clements, Archie C. A., Halton, Kate, Fenwick, Alan and Magalhães, Ricardo J. Soares (2022). Impact of a 5-year mass drug administration programme for soil-transmitted helminthiases on the spatial distribution of childhood anaemia in Burundi from 2007 to 2011. Tropical Medicine and Infectious Disease, 7 (10) 307, 1-18. doi: 10.3390/tropicalmed7100307
2022
Journal Article
Spatially explicit environmental factors associated with Lymphatic Filariasis infection in American Samoa
Lemin, Morgan E., Cadavid Restrepo, Angela, Mayfield, Helen J. and Lau, Colleen L. (2022). Spatially explicit environmental factors associated with Lymphatic Filariasis infection in American Samoa. Tropical Medicine and Infectious Disease, 7 (10) 295, 1-19. doi: 10.3390/tropicalmed7100295
2022
Journal Article
Japanese encephalitis emergence in Australia: the potential population at risk
Yakob, Laith, Hu, Wenbiao, Frentiu, Francesca D, Gyawali, Narayan, Hugo, Leon E, Johnson, Brian, Lau, Colleen, Furuya-Kanamori, Luis, Magalhaes, Ricardo Soares and Devine, Gregor (2022). Japanese encephalitis emergence in Australia: the potential population at risk. Clinical Infectious Diseases, 76 (2), 335-337. doi: 10.1093/cid/ciac794
2022
Journal Article
Modelling lymphatic filariasis elimination in American Samoa: GEOFIL predicts need for new targets and six rounds of mass drug administration
McLure, Angus, Graves, Patricia M., Lau, Colleen, Shaw, Callum and Glass, Kathryn (2022). Modelling lymphatic filariasis elimination in American Samoa: GEOFIL predicts need for new targets and six rounds of mass drug administration. Epidemics, 40 100591, 100591. doi: 10.1016/j.epidem.2022.100591
2022
Journal Article
Evaluating molecular xenomonitoring as a tool for lymphatic filariasis surveillance in Samoa, 2018–2019
McPherson, Brady, Mayfield, Helen J., McLure, Angus, Gass, Katherine, Naseri, Take, Thomsen, Robert, Williams, Steven A., Pilotte, Nils, Kearns, Therese, Graves, Patricia M. and Lau, Colleen L. (2022). Evaluating molecular xenomonitoring as a tool for lymphatic filariasis surveillance in Samoa, 2018–2019. Tropical Medicine and Infectious Disease, 7 (8) 203, 1-15. doi: 10.3390/tropicalmed7080203
2022
Journal Article
A Bayesian network analysis quantifying risks versus benefits of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine in Australia
Sinclair, Jane E., Mayfield, Helen J., Short, Kirsty R., Brown, Samuel J., Puranik, Rajesh, Mengersen, Kerrie, Litt, John C. B. and Lau, Colleen L. (2022). A Bayesian network analysis quantifying risks versus benefits of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine in Australia. npj Vaccines, 7 (1) 93, 1-11. doi: 10.1038/s41541-022-00517-6
2022
Journal Article
Molecular characterisation of Neisseria gonorrhoeae associated with disseminated gonococcal infections in Queensland, Australia: a retrospective surveillance study
Guglielmino, Christine J. D., Sandhu, Sumeet, Lau, Colleen L., Buckely, Cameron, Trembizki, Ella, Whiley, David M. and Jennison, Amy V. (2022). Molecular characterisation of Neisseria gonorrhoeae associated with disseminated gonococcal infections in Queensland, Australia: a retrospective surveillance study. BMJ Open, 12 (8) e061040, e061040. doi: 10.1136/bmjopen-2022-061040
2022
Journal Article
Persistence of antibodies, boostability, and interchangeability of Japanese encephalitis vaccines: A systematic review and dose-response meta-analysis
Islam, Nazmul, Xu, Chang, Lau, Colleen L., Mills, Deborah J., Clark, Justin, Devine, Gregor J., Hugo, Leon E., Gyawali, Narayan, Thalib, Lukman and Furuya-Kanamori, Luis (2022). Persistence of antibodies, boostability, and interchangeability of Japanese encephalitis vaccines: A systematic review and dose-response meta-analysis. Vaccine, 40 (26), 3546-3555. doi: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2022.04.079
2022
Journal Article
Estimating the duration of antibody positivity and likely time of Leptospira infection using data from a cross-sectional serological study in Fiji
Rees, Eleanor M., Lau, Colleen L., Kama, Mike, Reid, Simon, Lowe, Rachel and Kucharski, Adam J. (2022). Estimating the duration of antibody positivity and likely time of Leptospira infection using data from a cross-sectional serological study in Fiji. PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases, 16 (6) e0010506, e0010506. doi: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0010506
2022
Journal Article
The emergence of Japanese encephalitis in Australia and the implications for a vaccination strategy
Furuya-Kanamori, Luis, Gyawali, Narayan, Mills, Deborah J., Hugo, Leon E., Devine, Gregor J. and Lau, Colleen L. (2022). The emergence of Japanese encephalitis in Australia and the implications for a vaccination strategy. Tropical Medicine and Infectious Disease, 7 (6) 85, 85. doi: 10.3390/tropicalmed7060085
2022
Journal Article
Designing an evidence-based Bayesian network for estimating the risk versus benefits of AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine
Mayfield, Helen J., Lau, Colleen L., Sinclair, Jane E., Brown, Samuel J., Baird, Andrew, Litt, John, Vuorinen, Aapeli, Short, Kirsty R., Waller, Michael and Mengersen, Kerrie (2022). Designing an evidence-based Bayesian network for estimating the risk versus benefits of AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine. Vaccine, 40 (22), 3072-3084. doi: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2022.04.004
2022
Journal Article
Hospitalisation with injection‐related infections: validation of diagnostic codes to monitor admission trends at a tertiary care hospital in Melbourne, Australia
Curtis, Stephanie J., Langham, Freya J., Tang, Mei Jie, Vujovic, Olga, Doyle, Joseph S., Lau, Colleen L. and Stewardson, Andrew J. (2022). Hospitalisation with injection‐related infections: validation of diagnostic codes to monitor admission trends at a tertiary care hospital in Melbourne, Australia. Drug and Alcohol Review, 41 (5), 1053-1061. doi: 10.1111/dar.13471
2022
Journal Article
Long-term persistence of antibodies and boostability after rabies intradermal pre-exposure prophylaxis
Mills, Deborah J., Lau, Colleen L., Mills, Christine and Furuya-Kanamori, Luis (2022). Long-term persistence of antibodies and boostability after rabies intradermal pre-exposure prophylaxis. Journal of Travel Medicine, 29 (2) taab188. doi: 10.1093/jtm/taab188
2022
Journal Article
Synergising decision making and interventions across human health and environment: concepts for designing a model for infectious diseases
Stanhope, Jessica, Mayfield, Helen J., Guillaume, Joseph H. A., Sahin, Oz, Weinstein, Philip and Lau, Colleen L. (2022). Synergising decision making and interventions across human health and environment: concepts for designing a model for infectious diseases. Socio-Environmental Systems Modelling, 3 18126, 1-16. doi: 10.18174/sesmo.18126
2022
Journal Article
Safety profile comparison of chimeric live attenuated and Vero cell-derived inactivated Japanese encephalitis vaccines through an active surveillance system in Australia
Islam, Nazmul, Lau, Colleen, Leeb, Alan, Mills, Deborah and Furuya-Kanamori, Luis (2022). Safety profile comparison of chimeric live attenuated and Vero cell-derived inactivated Japanese encephalitis vaccines through an active surveillance system in Australia. Human Vaccines & Immunotherapeutics, 18 (1) 2020573, 2020573. doi: 10.1080/21645515.2021.2020573
2022
Journal Article
Potential use of antibodies to provide an earlier indication of lymphatic filariasis resurgence in post-mass drug administration surveillance, American Samoa
Restrepo, Angela M. Cadavid, Gass, Katherine, Won, Kimberly Y., Sheel, Meru, Robinson, Keri, Graves, Patricia M., Fuimaono, Saipale and Lau, Colleen L. (2022). Potential use of antibodies to provide an earlier indication of lymphatic filariasis resurgence in post-mass drug administration surveillance, American Samoa. International Journal of Infectious Diseases, 117, 378-386. doi: 10.1016/j.ijid.2022.02.006
2021
Journal Article
Risk–benefit analysis of COVID-19 vaccines — a neurological perspective
Lau, Colleen L. and Galea, Ian (2021). Risk–benefit analysis of COVID-19 vaccines — a neurological perspective. Nature Reviews Neurology, 18 (2), 69-70. doi: 10.1038/s41582-021-00606-5
2021
Journal Article
Differential privacy for public health data: an innovative tool to optimize information sharing while protecting data confidentiality
Dyda, Amalie, Purcell, Michael, Curtis, Stephanie, Field, Emma, Pillai, Priyanka, Ricardo, Kieran, Weng, Haotian, Moore, Jessica C., Hewett, Michael, Williams, Graham and Lau, Colleen L. (2021). Differential privacy for public health data: an innovative tool to optimize information sharing while protecting data confidentiality. Patterns, 2 (12) 100366, 100366. doi: 10.1016/j.patter.2021.100366
2021
Journal Article
Interactions between timing and transmissibility explain diverse flavivirus dynamics in Fiji
Henderson, Alasdair D., Kama, Mike, Aubry, Maite, Hue, Stephane, Teissier, Anita, Naivalu, Taina, Bechu, Vinaisi D., Kailawadoko, Jimaima, Rabukawaqa, Isireli, Sahukhan, Aalisha, Hibberd, Martin L., Nilles, Eric J., Funk, Sebastian, Whitworth, Jimmy, Watson, Conall H., Lau, Colleen L., Edmunds, W. John, Cao-Lormeau, Van-Mai and Kucharski, Adam J. (2021). Interactions between timing and transmissibility explain diverse flavivirus dynamics in Fiji. Nature Communications, 12 (1) 1671, 1-9. doi: 10.1038/s41467-021-21788-y
2021
Journal Article
Spatial prediction of malaria prevalence in Papua New Guinea: a comparison of Bayesian decision network and multivariate regression modelling approaches for improved accuracy in prevalence prediction
Cleary, Eimear, Hetzel, Manuel W., Siba, Paul, Lau, Colleen L. and Clements, Archie C. A. (2021). Spatial prediction of malaria prevalence in Papua New Guinea: a comparison of Bayesian decision network and multivariate regression modelling approaches for improved accuracy in prevalence prediction. Malaria Journal, 20 (1) 269, 269. doi: 10.1186/s12936-021-03804-0
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
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
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
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
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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
Enhancing infectious disease surveillance through the integration of routinely collected data
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Amalie Dyda
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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
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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
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
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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
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
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
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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