Dr Lucy Tran-Nguyen is PHA’s General Manager, Resilience and Innovation. Lucy joined Plant Health Australia in January 2022 as National Manager, Diagnostics, and was promoted to General Manager in March 2023.

Lucy leads the implementation of PHA’s custodial responsibilities under the Emergency Plant Pest Response Deed (EPPRD), working closely with Members to strengthen response readiness and enhance biosecurity resilience. She oversees initiatives that support preparedness, response and recovery, ensuring Australia’s plant biosecurity system remains robust and effective.

Her portfolio brings together Preparedness, Emergency Response and Digital Systems, integrating innovative technologies and best-practice approaches to strengthen resilience across the plant biosecurity sector.

Before joining PHA, Lucy spent 15 years with the Northern Territory Department of Industry, Tourism and Trade. With more than 25 years of experience spanning plant health, biosecurity, research and policy, she has successfully delivered large-scale research and development projects with strong industry outcomes.

Throughout her career, Lucy has played a key role in responding to exotic plant pest incursions and has extensive expertise in diagnostics, biosecurity preparedness, emergency response and applied research.

Lucy’s key areas of expertise include plant biosecurity and emergency response, preparedness, resilience and recovery planning, diagnostic systems and molecular technologies, research and development leadership, policy development and implementation, digital innovation in biosecurity systems, and stakeholder engagement and cross-sector collaboration.