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
2021
Journal Article
Has the effectiveness of Australia’s travel bans against China on the importation of COVID-19 been overestimated?
McLure, Angus, Lau, Colleen L. and Furuya-Kanamori, Luis (2021). Has the effectiveness of Australia’s travel bans against China on the importation of COVID-19 been overestimated?. Journal of Travel Medicine, 28 (2) taaa191. doi: 10.1093/jtm/taaa191
2021
Journal Article
Immunogenicity after pre- and post-exposure rabies vaccination: a systematic review and dose-response meta-analysis
Xu, Chang, Lau, Colleen L., Clark, Justin, Rafferty, Anna C., Mills, Deborah J., Ramsey, Lani, Gilbert, Brian, Doi, Suhail A. R. and Furuya-Kanamori, Luis (2021). Immunogenicity after pre- and post-exposure rabies vaccination: a systematic review and dose-response meta-analysis. Vaccine, 39 (7), 1044-1050. doi: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2021.01.023
2021
Journal Article
Genetic epidemiology of lymphatic filariasis in American Samoa after mass drug administration
Hedtke, Shannon M., Zendejas-Heredia, Patsy A., Graves, Patricia M., Sheridan, Sarah, Sheel, Meru, Fuimaono, Saipale D., Lau, Colleen L. and Grant, Warwick N. (2021). Genetic epidemiology of lymphatic filariasis in American Samoa after mass drug administration. International Journal for Parasitology, 51 (2-3), 137-147. doi: 10.1016/j.ijpara.2020.08.009
2021
Journal Article
Adverse events following immunization with combined vs concurrent monovalent hepatitis A and typhoid vaccines in children
Furuya-Kanamori, Luis, Dutton, Paul, Leeb, Alan, Mills, Deborah J., Andrews, Ross and Lau, Colleen L. (2021). Adverse events following immunization with combined vs concurrent monovalent hepatitis A and typhoid vaccines in children. Journal of the Pediatric Infectious Diseases Society, 10 (2), 192-195. doi: 10.1093/jpids/piaa031
2021
Journal Article
Gram-Negative Neonatal Sepsis in Low- and Middle- Income Countries: How Appropriate are the WHO Recommended Empirical Sepsis Antibiotic Regimens? A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Wen, Sophie C.H., Ezure, Yukiko, Rolley, Lauren, Spurling, Geoff, Lau, Colleen L., Paterson, David L. and Irwin, Adam D. (2021). Gram-Negative Neonatal Sepsis in Low- and Middle- Income Countries: How Appropriate are the WHO Recommended Empirical Sepsis Antibiotic Regimens? A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. SSRN Electronic Journal. doi: 10.2139/ssrn.3777180
2021
Book Chapter
Control and elimination of lymphatic filariasis in Oceania: prevalence, geographical distribution, mass drug administration, and surveillance in Samoa, 1998–2017
Graves, Patricia, Joseph, Hayley, Coutts, Shaun P., Mayfield, Helen J., Maiava, Fuatai, Leong-Lui, Tile Ann Ah, Toelupe, Palanitina Tupuimatagi, Iosia, Vailolo Toeaso, Loau, Siatua, Pemita, Paulo, Naseri, Take, Thomsen, Robert, Berg Soto, Alvaro Berg, Burkot, Thomas R., Wood, Peter, Melrose, Wayne, Aratchige, Padmasiri, Capuano, Corinne, Kim, Sung Hye, Ozaki, Masayo, Yajima, Aya, Lammie, Patrick J., Ottesen, Eric, Hansell, Lepaitai, Baghirov, Rasul, Lau, Colleen L. and Ichimori, Kazuyo (2021). Control and elimination of lymphatic filariasis in Oceania: prevalence, geographical distribution, mass drug administration, and surveillance in Samoa, 1998–2017. Advances in parasitology. (pp. 27-73) edited by David Rollinson and Russell Stothard. San Diego, CA, United States: Academic Press. doi: 10.1016/bs.apar.2021.03.002
2021
Journal Article
Could intradermal be an economical alternative route of administration for Japanese encephalitis vaccines?
Furuya-Kanamori, Luis, Mills, Deborah J. and Lau, Colleen L. (2021). Could intradermal be an economical alternative route of administration for Japanese encephalitis vaccines?. Journal of Travel Medicine, 28 (1) taaa181, 1-3. doi: 10.1093/jtm/taaa181
2020
Journal Article
Potential strategies for strengthening surveillance of lymphatic filariasis in American Samoa after mass drug administration: reducing ‘number needed to test’ by targeting older age groups, hotspots, and household members of infected persons
Lau, Colleen L., Sheel, Meru, Gass, Katherine, Fuimaono, Saipale, David, Michael C., Won, Kimberly Y., Sheridan, Sarah and Graves, Patricia M. (2020). Potential strategies for strengthening surveillance of lymphatic filariasis in American Samoa after mass drug administration: reducing ‘number needed to test’ by targeting older age groups, hotspots, and household members of infected persons. PLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases, 14 (12) e0008916, e0008916-28. doi: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0008916
2020
Journal Article
Supporting elimination of lymphatic filariasis in Samoa by predicting locations of residual infection using machine learning and geostatistics
Mayfield, Helen J., Sturrock, Hugh, Arnold, Benjamin F., Andrade-Pacheco, Ricardo, Kearns, Therese, Graves, Patricia, Naseri, Take, Thomsen, Robert, Gass, Katherine and Lau, Colleen L. (2020). Supporting elimination of lymphatic filariasis in Samoa by predicting locations of residual infection using machine learning and geostatistics. Scientific Reports, 10 (1) 20570, 1-11. doi: 10.1038/s41598-020-77519-8
2020
Journal Article
An evaluation of enhanced surveillance of hospitalised COVID-19 patients to inform the public health response in Victoria
Curtis, Stephanie J., Cutcher, Zoe, Brett, Judith A., Burrell, Simon, Richards, Michael J., Hennessy, Daneeta, Gang, Rebecca F., Lau, Colleen L. and Rowe, Stacey (2020). An evaluation of enhanced surveillance of hospitalised COVID-19 patients to inform the public health response in Victoria. Communicable Diseases Intelligence, 44, 1-11. doi: 10.33321/cdi.2020.44.98
2020
Journal Article
Low uptake of Japanese encephalitis vaccination among Australian travellers
Mills, Deborah J., Lau, Colleen L. and Furuya-Kanamori, Luis (2020). Low uptake of Japanese encephalitis vaccination among Australian travellers. Journal of Travel Medicine, 28 (3). doi: 10.1093/jtm/taaa232
2020
Journal Article
Lymphatic filariasis epidemiology in Samoa in 2018: geographic clustering and higher antigen prevalence in older age groups
Lau, Colleen L., Meder, Kelley, Mayfield, Helen J., Kearns, Therese, McPherson, Brady, Naseri, Take, Thomsen, Robert, Hedtke, Shannon M., Sheridan, Sarah, Gass, Katherine and Graves, Patricia M. (2020). Lymphatic filariasis epidemiology in Samoa in 2018: geographic clustering and higher antigen prevalence in older age groups. PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases, 14 (12) e0008927, 1-22. doi: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0008927
2020
Journal Article
A community survey of coverage and adverse events following country-wide triple-drug mass drug administration for lymphatic filariasis elimination, Samoa 2018
Willis, Gabriela A., Mayfield, Helen J., Kearns, Therese, Naseri, Take, Thomsen, Robert, Gass, Katherine, Sheridan, Sarah, Graves, Patricia M. and Lau, Colleen L. (2020). A community survey of coverage and adverse events following country-wide triple-drug mass drug administration for lymphatic filariasis elimination, Samoa 2018. PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases, 14 (11) e0008854, 1-18. doi: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0008854
2020
Journal Article
Influence of climate variables on the rising incidence of nontuberculous mycobacterial (NTM) infections in Queensland, Australia 2001–2016
Thomson, Rachel M., Furuya-Kanamori, Luis, Coffey, Cushla, Bell, Scott C., Knibbs, Luke D. and Lau, Colleen L. (2020). Influence of climate variables on the rising incidence of nontuberculous mycobacterial (NTM) infections in Queensland, Australia 2001–2016. Science of the Total Environment, 740 139796, 139796. doi: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.139796
2020
Journal Article
Intradermal rabies pre-exposure vaccination schedules in older travellers: comparison of immunogenicity post-primary course and post-booster
Furuya-Kanamori, Luis, Ramsey, Lani, Manson, Melanie, Gilbert, Brian and Lau, Colleen L. (2020). Intradermal rabies pre-exposure vaccination schedules in older travellers: comparison of immunogenicity post-primary course and post-booster. Journal of Travel Medicine, 27 (7), 1-8. doi: 10.1093/jtm/taaa006
2020
Journal Article
Impact of pre-departure preparation on the health and wellbeing of Australian gap year travellers
Furuya-Kanamori, Luis, Lau, Colleen L., Banks, Sarah and Mills, Deborah J. (2020). Impact of pre-departure preparation on the health and wellbeing of Australian gap year travellers. Travel Medicine and Infectious Disease, 37 101682, 1-5. doi: 10.1016/j.tmaid.2020.101682
2020
Journal Article
First evidence of concurrent enzootic and endemic transmission of Ross River virus in the absence of marsupial reservoirs in Fiji
Togami, Eri, Gyawali, Narayan, Ong, Oselyne, Kama, Mike, Cao-Lormeau, Van -Mai, Aubry, Maite, Ko, I. Albert, Nilles, Eric J., Collins-Emerson, Julie M., Devine, Gregor J., Weinstein, Philip and Lau, Colleen L. (2020). First evidence of concurrent enzootic and endemic transmission of Ross River virus in the absence of marsupial reservoirs in Fiji. International Journal of Infectious Diseases, 96, 94-96. doi: 10.1016/j.ijid.2020.02.048
2020
Journal Article
Electronic immunization registers – a tool for mitigating outbreaks of vaccine-preventable diseases in the Pacific
Sheel, Meru, Tippins, Ashley, Glass, Kathryn, Kirk, Martyn and Lau, Colleen L. (2020). Electronic immunization registers – a tool for mitigating outbreaks of vaccine-preventable diseases in the Pacific. Vaccine, 38 (28), 4395-4398. doi: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2020.04.071
2020
Journal Article
Bacteriology and antimicrobial resistance in Vanuatu: January 2017 to December 2019
Foxlee, Nicola D., Townell, Nicola, Tosul, Mary Ann L., McIver, Lachlan and Lau, Colleen L. (2020). Bacteriology and antimicrobial resistance in Vanuatu: January 2017 to December 2019. Antibiotics, 9 (4) 151, 151. doi: 10.3390/antibiotics9040151
2020
Journal Article
Demographic, socioeconomic and disease knowledge factors, but not population mobility, associated with lymphatic filariasis infection in adult workers in American Samoa in 2014
Graves, Patricia M., Sheridan, Sarah, Fuimaono, Saipale and Lau, Colleen L. (2020). Demographic, socioeconomic and disease knowledge factors, but not population mobility, associated with lymphatic filariasis infection in adult workers in American Samoa in 2014. Parasites and Vectors, 13 (1) 125, 1-18. doi: 10.1186/s13071-020-3996-4
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
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
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
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
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
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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
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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
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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
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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
Enhancing infectious disease surveillance through the integration of routinely collected data
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Amalie Dyda
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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