Lanhao Gao is a researcher and educator specialising in empirical finance, sustainable finance, and ESG integration. He completed his PhD in Accounting & Finance at the University of Newcastle, Australia, in March 2026. His doctoral thesis examined the financial implications of corporate green bond issuance, with a particular focus on bank loan pricing, value relevance, and real environmental impact. Two studies in this research have been accepted for presentation at AFAANZ annual conference.

Dr. Gao's research sits at the intersection of corporate finance and climate economics. His current work explores how green financing mechanisms influence corporate operational discipline, payout policies, and market pricing. He has several single-authored papers under review at leading journals including the International Review of Financial Analysis and Journal of International Money and Finance, with co-authored work targeting outlets such as the Journal of Banking & Finance and the Journal of Corporate Finance. He has also contributed to two published books on ecological product valuation and China's economic security.

Beyond research, Dr. Gao has extensive teaching experience. As an Associate Lecturer at the University of Newcastle, he has held full responsibility for designing and delivering undergraduate and postgraduate courses in finance and accounting, including Fundamentals of Finance, Investment Analysis, and Business Acumen. He has also taught in international concurrent programs at Sichuan International Studies University in China.