Associate Professor Fraser Torpy leads the Plants and Environmental Quality Research Group at UTS. His research examines how nature based systems, including plants and their associated microbial communities, can improve air quality, indoor environmental quality, urban heat mitigation, energy efficiency and overall urban liveability.

Working at the intersection of environmental science, horticultural biotechnology and the built environment, Fraser has a strong focus on the bioremediation of air pollution in both indoor and outdoor settings. His research spans indoor plants, green walls, green roofs and other forms of green infrastructure, investigating their capacity to reduce air pollutants, moderate microclimates and support healthier, more liveable urban spaces.

Fraser’s research is internationally recognised, with an extensive body of peer reviewed publications in leading journals across environmental science, building science and urban sustainability. He has established a strong global reputation in areas including bioremediation, indoor air quality, and green roofs and vertical gardens, reflecting sustained influence across multiple disciplines.

He works closely with industry partners, government agencies and local councils in Australia and internationally to ensure research outcomes inform policy, design standards and professional practice in the built environment. His collaborative projects span Australia, Europe, Asia and the United States, supporting the uptake of nature based solutions in urban planning and building design.

In addition to his research leadership, Fraser has supervised higher degree research students and contributed extensively to academic service at UTS, including program leadership and committee roles within the School of Life Sciences. He completed his Bachelor of Science (Biotechnology) and PhD in microbial ecology at UTS and has been part of the university community since the early 1990s, transitioning from teaching focused roles to a research intensive academic career.