Biography

Laura Kuhar is a Principal in the Research and Development Team of Rio Tinto Iron Ore, working primarily on rail decarbonisation and projects related to battery electric locomotives. Previously, she held the position of team leader in the CSIRO Minerals group where she worked towards the vision of an invisible mine with her research into in-situ recovery (keyhole mining). She has also held positions as a researcher at Anglo American and De Beers Consolidated Mines.  Laura is interested in STEM outreach and, in 2019, was selected as one of Science and Technology Australia’s Superstars of STEM, which aims to smash society’s gender assumptions about scientists, increase the public visibility of women in STEM and provide role models for young women and girls. Laura has an undergraduate degree in chemical engineering and a PhD in chemistry.