Speakers
Plenary Session
Professor Liu Ye’s keynote explores how microbiology can support climate goals through smarter nitrogen management in urban wastewater systems. She’ll share insights from her work on reducing greenhouse gas emissions, improving biological treatment processes, and evaluating how these strategies impact the overall carbon footprint. With a focus on practical solutions and system-wide sustainability, this talk will highlight the role of microbes in building cleaner, more resilient urban infrastructure.
Professor Liu Ye is a leading environmental engineer at the University of Queensland. Based in the School of Chemical Engineering, she focuses on reducing greenhouse gas emissions, improving resource recovery, and advancing climate-resilient solutions in urban water systems. Her work bridges microbiology and engineering to better understand and control nitrous oxide (N₂O) emissions—one of the most potent greenhouse gases—from wastewater infrastructure.
With a strong background in process optimisation and microbial community dynamics, Professor Liu has contributed significantly to advancing sustainable wastewater management practices. Her expertise brings an important applied perspective to the intersection of microbiology, climate change, and engineered environments. Professor Ye leads the Greenhouse Gas Research Program at UQ and works closely with utilities, government bodies and industry partners in Australia and beyond to inform effective emission reduction strategies. She is a Fellow of the Royal Society of Chemistry, an elected member of the Strategic Council of the International Water Association, and is actively engaged with professional communities including Engineers Australia and the Australian Association for Engineering Education. She currently serves as the Associate Editor of Environmental Science: Water Research and Technology and sits on the editorial board of Engineering Journal.