Lei Gao

Dr. Lei Gao is a Principal Research Scientist at CSIRO Land and Water with over 20 years of expertise in complex environmental systems research. A nationally and internationally recognized thought leader, he pioneers methods in sustainability modelling and AI-driven environmental predictions while collaborating with institutions like Oxford University, IIASA, and the Chinese Academy of Sciences to address land and water management challenges.

His research centers on complex systems modelling, sustainability assessment, adaptive management under uncertainty, and machine learning applications for environmental systems. He specializes in translating these methodologies into practical solutions for water resources, land systems, and socio-economic analysis, with a focus on robust decision-making under climate extremes and global change.

Recent publications reveal a dominant trend integrating artificial intelligence with environmental modelling, particularly in water flow prediction, soil carbon sequestration, and climate impact assessment. His work increasingly addresses systemic sustainability challenges through scenario analysis, trade-off assessments, and SDG-focused frameworks, demonstrating strong interdisciplinary convergence.

Dr. Gao's scientific accolades include:

• Cell Press China Paper of the Year Award (Sustainability Category)
• CSIRO Chairman’s Medal for Science Excellence
• Julius Career Award for exceptional early to mid-career scientists
• MVIPIT Best Paper Award
• Impactful Publication Award
• Publons Peer Review Award — Top reviewers for CSIRO
• Multiple Best Paper Awards and Research Excellence recognitions

As Project Leader for the CAS-CSIRO Joint Project on agricultural climate adaptation, CSIRO Strategic Project on AI-based water banking, and Australia-China Science Fund on soil carbon sequestration, he demonstrates exceptional grant leadership in securing competitive funding for high-impact environmental research.

Based at CSIRO Land and Water, Dr. Gao operates within a dynamic international research ecosystem, leveraging cross-program collaborations and partnerships with global institutions to develop innovative sustainability solutions for complex environmental challenges.