Evelyn Lavu (died August 2021) was the most senior pathologist in Papua New Guinea (PNG) and a recognised leader in the fight against HIV, malaria and drug-resistant tuberculosis.

She was Director of the Central Public Health Laboratory in Papua New Guinea for over a decade and, in June 2021, became PNG's first and only female Professor of Medicine.

[1][2][3] Lavu was employed as a clinician, researcher and laboratory scientist in PNG's capital, Port Moresby, but her activities had an influence throughout the country.

Later in her career she studied for a PhD in genome sequencing, to enable her to contribute to PNG's work related to the transmission pathways of drug-resistant tuberculosis.

In paying tribute, Papua New Guinea's Prime Minister, James Marape, described her as an "outstanding daughter of the nation".