Liah Coggins

Liah Coggins is a Senior Lecturer and Research Fellow in the School of Engineering at The University of Western Australia (UWA), specializing in Civil, Environmental and Mining Engineering. She holds a PhD in Environmental Engineering from UWA (2017), an BE(Hons) in Environmental Engineering (2012), and a BA (2012). Her research focuses on wastewater treatment systems, particularly waste stabilisation ponds (WSPs), integrating environmental engineering, ecological processes, and technological innovation.

Research Interests:

• WSP performance optimization
• Sludge management and hydrodynamics
• Greenhouse gas emissions
• Bathymetry mapping via remote technology
• Urban water quality assessment
• Ecological coupling in engineered systems

Current Projects:

• Melbourne Water/Water Corporation: Greenhouse gas emissions from lagoon systems (2018–present)
• ARC Internet of Things for Water Hub (2025–present)
• ARC Biosolids Resource Training Centre (2020–2025)
• Remotely operated sludge management technology for utilities

Awards:

• 2021: Team Engineering Teaching Excellence Commendation
• 2020: Faculty Teaching Commendation
• 2012: Prescott Postgraduate Scholarship

Grants:

• 13 active/funded grants including Water Corporation WA (2023–2025), Melbourne Water (2018–2026), and Yarra Valley Water collaborations

Labs/Teams: Collaborates with industry partners like Australian water utilities and Whakatane District Council, developing technologies such as remote control boats for bathymetry mapping and training programs for utility adoption.