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
-
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
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
2021
Journal Article
Development of the COVID-19 Real-Time Information System for Preparedness and Epidemic Response (CRISPER), Australia
Field, Emma, Dyda, Amalie, Hewett, Michael, Weng, Haotian, Shi, Jingjing, Curtis, Stephanie, Law, Charlee, McHugh, Lisa, Sheel, Meru, Moore, Jess, Furuya-Kanamori, Luis, Pillai, Priyanka, Konings, Paul, Purcell, Michael, Stocks, Nigel, Williams, Graham and Lau, Colleen L. (2021). Development of the COVID-19 Real-Time Information System for Preparedness and Epidemic Response (CRISPER), Australia. Frontiers in Public Health, 9 753493, 753493. doi: 10.3389/fpubh.2021.753493
2021
Conference Publication
Lymphatic Filariasis Elimination In Samoa: Evaluating The Use Of Molecular Xenomonitoring As A Surveillance Tool
McPherson, Brady, Mayfield, Helen, McLure, Angus, Naseri, Take, Thomsen, Robert, Mauala, Tautala, Coutts, Shaun, Harfield, Stephen, Chellappah, Jessica, MacKenzie, Donna, Hoare, Christina, Kizu, Joanne, Guidotti, Jessica, Pilotte, Nils, Gonzales, Andrew, Williams, Steven, Gass, Katherine, Graves, Patricia and Lau, Colleen (2021). Lymphatic Filariasis Elimination In Samoa: Evaluating The Use Of Molecular Xenomonitoring As A Surveillance Tool. 2021 ASTMH Annual Meeting, Online, 17–21 November 2021. Deerfield, IL United States: American Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene.
2021
Journal Article
Feasibility of Bluetooth Low Energy wearable tags to quantify healthcare worker proximity networks and patient close contact: a pilot study
Curtis, Stephanie J., Rathnayaka, Asanka, Wu, Fan, Al Mamun, Abdulla, Spiers, Craig, Bingham, Gordon, Lau, Colleen L., Peleg, Anton Y., Yuce, Mehmet Rasit and Stewardson, Andrew J. (2021). Feasibility of Bluetooth Low Energy wearable tags to quantify healthcare worker proximity networks and patient close contact: a pilot study. Infection, Disease and Health, 27 (2), 66-70. doi: 10.1016/j.idh.2021.10.004
2021
Journal Article
Risk-benefit analysis of the AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine in Australia using a Bayesian network modelling framework
Lau, Colleen L, Mayfield, Helen J, Sinclair, Jane E, Brown, Samuel J, Waller, Michael, Enjeti, Anoop K, Baird, Andrew, Short, Kirsty, Mengersen, Kerrie and Litt, John (2021). Risk-benefit analysis of the AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine in Australia using a Bayesian network modelling framework. Vaccine, 39 (51), 7429-7440. doi: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2021.10.079
2021
Journal Article
PoolTestR: an R package for estimating prevalence and regression modelling for molecular xenomonitoring and other applications with pooled samples
McLure, Angus, O’Neill, Ben, Mayfield, Helen, Lau, Colleen and McPherson, Brady (2021). PoolTestR: an R package for estimating prevalence and regression modelling for molecular xenomonitoring and other applications with pooled samples. Environmental Modelling and Software, 145 105158, 105158. doi: 10.1016/j.envsoft.2021.105158
2021
Other Outputs
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 (2021). Designing an evidence-based Bayesian network for estimating the risk versus benefits of AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine. doi: 10.1101/2021.10.28.21265588
2021
Other Outputs
Risk-benefit analysis of the AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine in Australia using a Bayesian network modelling framework
Lau, Colleen L, Mayfield, Helen J, Sinclair, Jane E, Brown, Samuel J, Waller, Michael, Enjeti, Anoop K, Baird, Andrew, Short, Kirsty, Mengersen, Kerrie and Litt, John (2021). Risk-benefit analysis of the AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine in Australia using a Bayesian network modelling framework. doi: 10.1101/2021.09.30.21264337
2021
Journal Article
Managing the digital disruption associated with COVID-19-driven rapid digital transformation in Brisbane, Australia
Dyda, Amalie, Fahim, Magid, Fraser, Jon, Kirrane, Marianne, Wong, Ides, McNeil, Keith, Ruge, Maree, Lau, Colleen L. and Sullivan, Clair (2021). Managing the digital disruption associated with COVID-19-driven rapid digital transformation in Brisbane, Australia. Applied Clinical Informatics, 12 (5), 1135-1143. doi: 10.1055/s-0041-1740190
2021
Journal Article
Gram-negative neonatal sepsis in low- and lower-middle-income countries and WHO empirical antibiotic recommendations: A systematic review and meta-analysis
Wen, Sophie C. H., Ezure, Yukiko, Rolley, Lauren, Spurling, Geoff, Lau, Colleen L., Riaz, Saba, Paterson, David L. and Irwin, Adam D. (2021). Gram-negative neonatal sepsis in low- and lower-middle-income countries and WHO empirical antibiotic recommendations: A systematic review and meta-analysis. PLoS Medicine, 18 (9) e1003787, 1-20. doi: 10.1371/journal.pmed.1003787
2021
Journal Article
Strategies used for implementing and promoting adherence to antibiotic guidelines in low- and lower-income countries: a systematic review
Foxlee, Nicola D., Townell, Nicola, Heney, Claire, McIver, Lachlan and Lau, Colleen L. (2021). Strategies used for implementing and promoting adherence to antibiotic guidelines in low- and lower-income countries: a systematic review. Tropical Medicine and Infectious Disease, 6 (3) 166, 166. doi: 10.3390/tropicalmed6030166
2021
Journal Article
High rate of asymptomatic colonisation with antimicrobial-resistant E. coli in Australian returned travellers
Furuya-Kanamori, Luis, Mills, Deborah J., Trembizki, Ella, Robson, Jennifer M., Jennison, Amy V., Whiley, David M. and Lau, Colleen L. (2021). High rate of asymptomatic colonisation with antimicrobial-resistant E. coli in Australian returned travellers. Journal of Travel Medicine, 29 (1) taab141. doi: 10.1093/jtm/taab141
2021
Journal Article
Implications of a travel connectivity-based approach for infectious disease transmission risks in Oceania
Cadavid Restrepo, Angela, Furuya-Kanamori, Luis, Mayfield, Helen, Nilles, Eric and Lau, Colleen L. (2021). Implications of a travel connectivity-based approach for infectious disease transmission risks in Oceania. BMJ Open, 11 (8) e046206, e046206. doi: 10.1136/bmjopen-2020-046206
2021
Journal Article
Comparison of Immunochromatographic Test (ICT) and Filariasis Test Strip (FTS) for Detecting Lymphatic Filariasis Antigen in American Samoa, 2016
Sheel, Meru, Lau, Colleen L., Sheridan, Sarah, Fuimaono, Saipale and Graves, Patricia M. (2021). Comparison of Immunochromatographic Test (ICT) and Filariasis Test Strip (FTS) for Detecting Lymphatic Filariasis Antigen in American Samoa, 2016. Tropical Medicine and Infectious Disease, 6 (3) 132, 1-8. doi: 10.3390/tropicalmed6030132
2021
Journal Article
Transmission modelling of environmentally persistent zoonotic diseases: a systematic review
Rees, Eleanor M., Minter, Amanda, Edmunds, W. John, Lau, Colleen L., Kucharski, Adam J. and Lowe, Rachel (2021). Transmission modelling of environmentally persistent zoonotic diseases: a systematic review. The Lancet Planetary Health, 5 (7), e466-e478. doi: 10.1016/s2542-5196(21)00137-6
2021
Journal Article
Diagnostic accuracy of ELISA kits for measurement of rabies antibodies: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Ling, Weiping, Doi, Suhail A. R., Lau, Colleen L., Mills, Deborah J., Kostoulas, Polychronis and Furuya-Kanamori, Luis (2021). Diagnostic accuracy of ELISA kits for measurement of rabies antibodies: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Journal of Travel Medicine, 28 (5) taab060, 1-3. doi: 10.1093/jtm/taab060
2021
Journal Article
An acute respiratory illness outbreak investigation at an Australian defence force training establishment
Williams, Olivia, Lau, Colleen L and Ross, Victoria (2021). An acute respiratory illness outbreak investigation at an Australian defence force training establishment. Journal of Military and Veterans' Health.
2021
Journal Article
Comparison of immunogenicity and safety of licensed Japanese encephalitis vaccines: A systematic review and network meta-analysis
Furuya-Kanamori, Luis, Xu, Chang, Doi, Suhail A.R., Clark, Justin, Wangdi, Kinley, Mills, Deborah J. and Lau, Colleen L. (2021). Comparison of immunogenicity and safety of licensed Japanese encephalitis vaccines: A systematic review and network meta-analysis. Vaccine, 39 (32), 4429-4436. doi: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2021.06.023
2021
Journal Article
Efficacy of one-dose intramuscular rabies vaccine as pre-exposure prophylaxis in travellers
Mills, Deborah J., Lau, Colleen L., Mills, Christine and Furuya-Kanamori, Luis (2021). Efficacy of one-dose intramuscular rabies vaccine as pre-exposure prophylaxis in travellers. Journal of Travel Medicine, 28 (5) taab059, 1-7. doi: 10.1093/jtm/taab059
2021
Journal Article
COVID-19 Real-time Information System for Preparedness and Epidemic Response (CRISPER)
Field, Emma, Dyda, Amalie and Lau, Colleen L. (2021). COVID-19 Real-time Information System for Preparedness and Epidemic Response (CRISPER). Medical Journal of Australia, 214 (8) mja2.51019, 386-386.e1. doi: 10.5694/mja2.51019
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.
Available projects
-
Epidemiology of notifiable diseases in Australia
-
Vaccine preventable diseases in travellers
-
Risk benefit analysis and decision support tools for vaccines
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
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 Surveillance of Neglected Tropical Diseases and Vaccine-Preventable Diseases
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Associate Professor Benn Sartorius, Dr Harriet Lawford
-
Doctor Philosophy
The long-term cardiovascular complications of COVID-19
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Helen Mayfield, Professor Nathan Palpant, Professor Kirsty Short
-
Doctor Philosophy
The long-term cardiovascular complications of COVID-19
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Helen Mayfield, Professor Nathan Palpant, Professor Kirsty Short
-
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
-
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
-
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
-
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
-
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
-
Doctor Philosophy
Gram-negative bloodstream infections in Australian children
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Geoff Spurling, Mr Mark Chatfield, Associate Professor Adam Irwin
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: