Interdisciplinary public health scientist Dr Aparna Lal has been named ACT Emerging Scientist of the Year. She received the 2023 ACT Emerging Scientist of the Year Award for her work exploring resilience to environmental crises.

Dr Lal is an Associate Professor at the National Centre for Epidemiology and Population Health, ANU. Her research looks at how ecological change affects population health unequally, and how strengthening environmental surveillance can enhance community health.

She is an international expert on how human wellbeing can improve the outcomes of environmental repair and how changes in the environment can act as an early warning system for population health.

Dr Lal’s work made a lasting contribution to public health during the COVID-19 pandemic. She led the ACT’s sewage surveillance program for COVID-19, which was one of the first to be set up in Australia and became the longest running daily wastewater testing program.

“I am honoured to receive this award,” Dr Lal said. “After celebrating by going out for ice cream, I plan to continue my work in this exciting field.

“I hope that being named the 2023 ACT Emerging Scientist of the Year will inspire other women and young people to consider working in a scientific field.

“My interest and love for science began with reading. I believe that reading sparks curiosity and imagination, the foundation of all science.

“I’d like to thank my children, colleagues and peers who have helped me throughout my journey.”

Chief Minister Andrew Barr congratulated Dr Lal on her “incredible achievement and … extraordinary work”.

“Dr Lal’s research, teaching achievements and the impacts they will have on future research and policy make her a worthy recipient of the 2023 ACT Emerging Scientist of the Year award.

“Canberra has been the home of many significant scientific achievements, and acknowledging the work scientists do for the benefit of our community and the scientific field is important.

“Research and innovation play an important role in shaping how we move into the future, and the ACT Government is committed to recognising our up-and-coming scientists.”