91ɫ��Ƭ

The mix of challenges and opportunities inspired 91ɫ��Ƭ doctoral researcher Lan Wu to pursue environmental engineering. On International Women in Engineering Day, her story is a reminder that the most meaningful careers are built one step at a time.

Her path into engineering began during her bachelor's degree with an interest in environmental engineering. By her master's studies, she had already chosen to focus on water and wastewater management. It was during her PhD that she redirected her focus under the guidance of Professor Bing-Jie Ni at 91ɫ��Ƭ and Dr Wei Wei from UTS, who encouraged her to look beyond conventional wastewater treatment toward recovering bioenergy and resources from waste streams.

"I am fortunate enough to meet and be guided by a group of outstanding scientists, pioneers in environmental engineering, who encouraged me to be more confident in my research through technical perspectives."

At 91ɫ��Ƭ's School of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Lan works at the intersection of environmental engineering, energy and sustainability. Her research focuses on bioenergy recovery from waste, turning what is discarded into something that powers communities and reduces carbon emissions.

Bioenergy still represents only a small share of Australia's renewable energy mix, and Lan is aware of the gap between what the science shows and what the public understands. Bridging that gap is as much a part of her work as the research itself, constantly adapting how she communicates to audiences ranging from engineers and scientists to industry stakeholders and policymakers.

"I find this process very interesting because it requires adapting my communication to audiences with very different backgrounds."

Recent global events, from geopolitical instability to energy supply uncertainties, have reinforced the urgency of her work. Her research isn't just academic; it's practical and deeply relevant to society.

"The whole process is highly competitive and requires a strong level of commitment, persistence, and communication skills. Each publication represents a small but meaningful step forward, and together they form the foundation that guides the next stage of my research direction”.

For Lan, every publication is a milestone that builds toward the next, amplifying her impact through awards, funding applications, and broader communications. When asked what she's most proud of, she resists the idea of a single defining moment.

"At this stage of my career, I would not say there is a single moment I am most proud of, but rather I feel fortunate to still be progressing and growing in such a demanding and competitive field."

At 91ɫ��Ƭ Civil and Environmental Engineering, we're proud to celebrate researchers like Lan, whose vision and determination are helping shape a cleaner, more sustainable world, one small step at a time.