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Dr Deborah Lau

Research Director

https://people.csiro.au/L/D/Deborah-Lau

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Contact details:

GATE 3 STORE, NORMANBY ROAD
CLAYTON VIC 3168 AUSTRALIA

Biography

Dr Deborah Lau, MAICD, FRACI, leads CSIRO’s Waste Technologies research program, setting the scientific vision and providing research leadership to tackle Australia’s major environmental challenges arising from industrial activity. She leads a program adressing pollutants, waste and the circular economy, guiding multidisciplinary teams to develop innovative technologies and systems for managing hazardous and legacy wastes, mitigating pollution impacts, and enabling the transition to more circular, resource‑efficient industries. Her work focuses on aligning scientific capability with policy, industry and community needs to deliver scalable environmental solutions with measurable impact.
Deborah has extensive experience in innovation strategy, leading complex research portfolios and driving outcomes across multidisciplinary teams, with particular expertise in large-scale program leadership, capability development, and research translation. She is internationally recognised for her contributions to cultural heritage and conservation science, receiving the AICCM Award for Outstanding Research and Conservator of the Year in 2010, and the Knowledge Commercialisation Australasia Award in 2020 for the global deployment of MS3 varnish, now used to protect some of the world’s most valuable paintings.
She has deep capability in data-driven research and applies advanced analytics and informatics to generate strategic insights and strengthen decision-making and impact pathways. Deborah has chaired and contributed to more than 25 national and international committees and advisory groups, reflecting her leadership across science, industry engagement, and policy-relevant research.

Professional Areas

Academic Qualifications

  • 2011

    Certificate in Executive Management and Development
    AGSM, UNSW

  • 2020

    PhD (Physics)
    University of Melbourne

  • 1996

    M.Sc. Applied Science (Applied Chemistry)
    RMIT

  • 1990

    B.Sc Applied Science (Applied Biology)
    RMIT

  • 1986

    Assoc. Dip. Applied Science (Applied Biology)
    RMIT

Achievements and Awards

  • 2020-2020

    Winner, Best Research Contract/Collaboration for development of MS3 varnish
    Knowledge Commercialisation Australasia Awards

  • 2012-2012

    CSIRO Women in Science Careers Scholarship
    CPSU

  • 2010-2010

    Conservator of the Year
    AICCM

  • 2010-2010

    Award for Outstanding Research in the Field of Materials Conservation
    AICCM

  • 2009-2010

    Environmental Achievement Award, Burrup Rock Art Field Monitoring Study
    CSIRO

  • 2004-2004

    New Lights on Ancient Materials, SOLEIL synchrotron Saint-Aubin, France
    COST G8

  • 2003-2004

    Chief Executive Study Award
    CSIRO

Publications

We have publications by Dr Deborah Lau