Pipeline to success for UTS wastewater researcher

It’s fair to say Dr Li knows more about what happens to wastewater than most. Her innovative research in this field was sparked by the idea that a valuable resource could be lurking in something we generally consider to be disposable.

“I became particularly interested in the huge amount of organic material that remains in wastewater sludge and the energy that is still locked inside it,” she said. “I see it as an opportunity to build urban systems that are more sustainable, resilient and smarter.”

It’s a remarkable use of something largely written off as waste, and one Dr Li hopes will lead to greater clean energy production and help Australia shift closer to its target of net zero emissions.

Speaking about her Young Tall Poppy win, Dr Li called the accolade “a tremendous honour”. She looks forward to the opportunity to share the significance of her team’s research with a wider audience and inspire younger generations “to see science not just as a career, but as a powerful way to address real-world challenges”.

“I’m very grateful to my team, my mentor Professor Qilin Wang, and my school and faculty for their encouragement, guidance and support,” she said. “Research is never an individual effort, and I feel very fortunate to work with such a great team and within a supportive research environment.”

The annual awards from the Australian Institute of Policy and Science (AIPS) celebrate the achievements of early-career researchers, in particular their scientific impact and ability to communicate their research. 

The Young Tall Poppy adds to a growing list of recognition for Dr Li. Named as a Chancellor’s Research Fellow in 2024, she was announced as a finalist in the Outstanding Early Career Researcher category at the 2025 Australian Museum Eureka Prizes, and was also a finalist at the 2025 UTS Vice-Chancellor’s Research Awards for Early Career Research Excellence.