Dr Luke Verstraten is a Lecturer in Environmental Science and Engineering with a wealth of experience collaborating with communities, industry and government to achieve robust innovative solutions to social and environmental issues.
As the program coordinator for the Environmental Management program, course coordinator of Environmental Economics and Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation and supervisor of numerous Honors (Engineering and Science) and Higher Degrees by Research students, Dr Verstraten is passionate about training the next generation of environmental managers and engineers to achieve positive impacts for the environment, industry, and society.
Luke has worked on a diverse range of local, national, and international collaborative research projects on a wide range of topics including, mitigating the impacts of rainfall events on built infrastructure, and human and ecosystem health by reducing the risk of flooding and minimise the negative downstream impacts of stormwater; evaluation of erosion and sediment control; cost-effective, retrofit modifications to enhance the hydraulic capacity of drainage structure options; the development of performance-based design options for roof drainage systems; soil carbon sequestration and soil health with land use changes; uncertainties in current and future rainfall values; nature based and engineered solutions to water pollution; education needs analysis and policy development for climate change adaptation in small island developing states; community led regenerative management plans for climate resilience; enabling circular economies through waste as a resource; resources for native pollinators in agricultural and natural environments, and, propagation of rare/endangered native plants to preserve population genetic diversity.
Research collaborators include the Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research, Unitywater, Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (Federal and Qld), The Indian Ocean Commission, Association of Hydraulic Services Consultants Australia, North Burnett Regional Council, Sunshine Coast Council, Civilmart, SPEL environmental, University of the Sunshine Coast, Griffith University, La Trobe University and the University of Queensland.
Interested PhD and master’s degree applicants are welcome to enquire.
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2024 – 2027 |
The impact of trenched and trenchless installation on the wave speed of polyethylene pipes. Chief Investigator. UniSC |
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2024 – 2027 |
Climate-smart regenerative ridge to reef landscapes for sustaining livelihoods of communities on custom land and food security in Vanuatu. Co-investigator. UniSC |
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2023 – 2024 |
Understanding creek form and water-quality changes at Burgess Creek. Researcher.UniSC. |
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2023 – 2024 |
Evaluation of erosion and sediment control options. Chief Investigator. UniSC. |
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2022 – ongoing |
Stormwater Quality Improvement Device pollutant removal performance. Research Fellow. UniSC |
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2020 – 2024 |
Optimisation of Culvert Designs. Chief Investigator. UniSC. |
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2019 – 2021 |
Performance Monitoring of Saline Floating Wetland Treatment Systems at Pelican Waters. Research Assistant, UniSC. |
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2019 – 2021 |
Performance Monitoring of Floating Wetland Treatment Systems at ParkLakes 2, Research Assistant, UniSC. |
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2019 – 2020 |
Propagation of Pomaderris clivicola and Bertya pedicellata. Research Assistant, UniSC. |
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2016 – 2020 |
Pollen diets of Australian native bees. Research Assistant, UniSC. |
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2016 – ongoing |
Advanced Roof Drainage. Research Steering Committee Member, Association of Hydraulic Services Consultants Australia. |
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2013 – 2014 |
Propagation of Pomaderris clivicola and Bertya pedicellata. Research Assistant,UniSC. |
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2012 – 2014 |
Soil carbon benefits through reforestation. Research Assistant, University of Queensland, UniSC and Dept. of Agriculture and Fisheries. |
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2012 – 2015 |
Education Needs Assessment for climate change education in the Indian Ocean Region. Research Assistant, La Trobe University and UniSC. |
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2012 – 2013 |
Assessment of the economic costs of climate change impacts in ISLANDS countries. Research Assistant, La Trobe University. |
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2011 – 2013 |
Conservation genetics and propagation of Philotheca sporadica. Research Assistant, UniSC. |
Research areas
- Climate change
- Stormwater pollution removal
- Stormwater drainage
- Hydraulics and Hydrology
- Environmental Management
Teaching areas
- Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation
- Environmental Economics
Program coordinator
Dr Luke Verstraten's specialist areas of knowledge include: - soil carbon sequestration with land use changes - hydraulics of drainage systems - uncertainties in current and future design rainfall values - water pollution removal using Stormwater Quality Improvement Devices and Wetlands - an education needs analysis for climate change adaptation in small island developing states - resources for native pollinators in agricultural and natural environments - propagation of rare/endangered native plants to preserve population genetic diversity in Queensland using seed raising, cuttings and tissue culture techniques