Dr Anna Kaksonen is a Senior Principal Research Scientist in the Environment Research Unit of Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO), in Perth, Western Australia. With Doctor of Technology in Environmental Biotechnology, MSc in Engineering in Environmental Technology and MSc in Environmental Science and Policy, her interdisciplinary research spans across biophysical sciences and engineering, and informs policy development. In collaboration with industry, government and academia, she develops biotechnical unit processes and integrated flow sheets for environmental and industrial applications in the mining, energy, water and waste treatment industries. Her research interests include circular economy, waste/wastewater treatment and valorisation, biomining low grade ores and wastes, bioremediation of contaminated sites, mine site rehabilitation, microbial mineral carbonation, bioenergy, and mitigation of microbially caused problems such as biofouling, bioclogging and biocorrosion. She has also applied molecular and culture-based approaches to characterise microbial communities in natural and engineered environments and has isolated and described novel microorganisms relevant for mining industry.