Profile

Dr Laura Montano



Dr. Laura Montano is an Associate Lecturer in Humanitarian Engineering at the School of Civil and Environmental Engineering at UNSW Sydney. She is also the Research Lead for Societal Impact in Project Halo. She holds a PhD in hydraulic engineering from UNSW, for which she obtained the Dean’s Award for Outstanding Thesis (Top 10% of the theses).

Laura’s research focuses on evaluating the ecosystem services of mangrove restoration projects in the Pacific, with particular focus on the socio-economic and environmental impact of these restoration projects. The research aims to capture the critical role of mangroves in promoting livelihoods, wellbeing and progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals in vulnerable coastal regions in the Pacific.

Laura is passionate about translating scientific and engineering knowledge into tangible benefits for Pacific communities, acknowledging the challenges due to remoteness and resource limitations. By integrating engineering with social sciences, Laura’s work bridges technical knowledge with community-driven outcomes, ensuring the restoration efforts are both impactful and inclusive.


View all profiles