Professor Kevin Thomas
Professor

Kevin Thomas

Email: 
Phone: 
+61 7 344 32443

Background

Professor Kevin Thomas is Director of the Queensland Alliance for Environmental Health Sciences (QAEHS). Kevin is an environmental health scientist with a particular interest in understanding the environmental exposures associated with contaminants of emerging concern (CECs) with the goal of protecting environmental and human health. Kevin also leads the Minderoo Centre- Plastics and Human Health at UQ and is Deputy-Director of the Australian Research Council Industrial Transformation Training Centre for Hyphenated Analytical Separation Technologies (HyTech).

His current research is focused on understanding human exposure to plastics pollution and developing mass spectrometric analytical methods for characterizing plastics and other CECs, assessing community-wide health status through analysing wastewater (wastewater-based epidemiology) and establishing alternative approaches to exposure monitoring, for example explanted silicone prostheses and wristbands.

Author of over 350 peer-reviewed papers Kevin is a strong collaborative researcher having co-founded the Plastic Measurement Brains Trust (PMBT).

Availability

Professor Kevin Thomas is:
Available for supervision
Media expert

Fields of research

Analytical chemistry Analytical chemistry not elsewhere classified Analytical spectrometry Biomedical and Clinical Sciences Chemical Sciences Environmental Sciences Health Sciences

Qualifications

  • Doctor of Philosophy, Plymouth University
  • Doctoral Diploma of Science (Advanced), Plymouth University

Search Professor Kevin Thomas’s works on UQ eSpace

425 works between 1995 and 2026
All (425) Journal Article (379) Other Outputs (5) Conference Publication (30) Book Chapter (11)

241 - 260 of 425 works

2018

Other Outputs

National wastewater drug monitoring program: sixth report

Tscharke, B., Mackie, R., O’Brien, J., Grant, S., Mueller, J., Thomas, K., Ghetia, M., Bade, R., Gerber, C. and White, J. (2018). National wastewater drug monitoring program: sixth report. Canberra, ACT, Australia: Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission (ACIC).

National wastewater drug monitoring program: sixth report

2018

Journal Article

Enantiomeric profiling of amphetamine and methamphetamine in wastewater: a 7-year study in regional and urban Queensland, Australia

Gao, Jianfa, Xu, Zeqiong, Li, Xiqing, O'Brien, Jake W., Culshaw, Peter N., Thomas, Kevin V., Tscharke, Benjamin J., Mueller, Jochen F. and Thai, Phong K. (2018). Enantiomeric profiling of amphetamine and methamphetamine in wastewater: a 7-year study in regional and urban Queensland, Australia. Science of the Total Environment, 643, 827-834. doi: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2018.06.242

Enantiomeric profiling of amphetamine and methamphetamine in wastewater: a 7-year study in regional and urban Queensland, Australia

2018

Journal Article

'Ice rushes', data shadows and methylamphetamine use in rural towns: wastewater analysis

Prichard, Jeremy, Lai, Foon Yin, O'Brien, Jake, Bruno, Raimondo, Thai, Phong, Hall, Wayne, Kirkbride, Paul, Thomas, Kevin and Mueller, Jochen F. (2018). 'Ice rushes', data shadows and methylamphetamine use in rural towns: wastewater analysis. Current Issues in Criminal Justice, 29 (3), 195-208. doi: 10.1080/10345329.2018.12036097

'Ice rushes', data shadows and methylamphetamine use in rural towns: wastewater analysis

2018

Journal Article

Population histamine burden assessed using wastewater-based epidemiology: the association of 1,4‑methylimidazole acetic acid and fexofenadine

Choi, Phil M., O'Brien, Jake W., Li, Jiaying, Jiang, Guangming, Thomas, Kevin V. and Mueller, Jochen F. (2018). Population histamine burden assessed using wastewater-based epidemiology: the association of 1,4‑methylimidazole acetic acid and fexofenadine. Environment International, 120, 172-180. doi: 10.1016/j.envint.2018.08.009

Population histamine burden assessed using wastewater-based epidemiology: the association of 1,4‑methylimidazole acetic acid and fexofenadine

2018

Journal Article

Assessing sample extraction efficiencies for the analysis of complex unresolved mixtures of organic pollutants: a comprehensive non-target approach

Samanipour, Saer, Baz-Lomba, Jose A., Reid, Malcolm J., Ciceri, Elena, Rowland, Steven, Nilsson, Per and Thomas, Kevin V. (2018). Assessing sample extraction efficiencies for the analysis of complex unresolved mixtures of organic pollutants: a comprehensive non-target approach. Analytica Chimica Acta, 1025, 92-98. doi: 10.1016/j.aca.2018.04.020

Assessing sample extraction efficiencies for the analysis of complex unresolved mixtures of organic pollutants: a comprehensive non-target approach

2018

Journal Article

Corrigendum to “European demonstration program on the effect-based and chemical identification and monitoring of organic pollutants in European surface waters” [Sci. Total Environ. 601–602 (2017) 1849–1868] (S0048969717314365) (10.1016/j.scitotenv.2017.06.032))

Tousova, Zuzana, Oswald, Peter, Slobodnik, Jaroslav, Blaha, Ludek, Muz, Melis, Hu, Meng, Brack, Werner, Krauss, Martin, Di Paolo, Carolina, Tarcai, Zsolt, Seiler, Thomas-Benjamin, Hollert, Henner, Koprivica, Sanja, Ahel, Marijan, Schollée, Jennifer E., Hollender, Juliane, Suter, Marc J.-F., Hidasi, Anita O., Schirmer, Kristin, Sonavane, Manoj, Ait-Aissa, Selim, Creusot, Nicolas, Brion, Francois, Froment, Jean, Almeida, Ana Catarina, Thomas, Kevin, Tollefsen, Knut Erik, Tufi, Sara, Ouyang, Xiyu ... Schulze, Tobias (2018). Corrigendum to “European demonstration program on the effect-based and chemical identification and monitoring of organic pollutants in European surface waters” [Sci. Total Environ. 601–602 (2017) 1849–1868] (S0048969717314365) (10.1016/j.scitotenv.2017.06.032)). Science of the Total Environment, 635, 1620-1621. doi: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2018.04.356

Corrigendum to “European demonstration program on the effect-based and chemical identification and monitoring of organic pollutants in European surface waters” [Sci. Total Environ. 601–602 (2017) 1849–1868] (S0048969717314365) (10.1016/j.scitotenv.2017.06.032))

2018

Journal Article

Ecotoxicological effects of transformed silver and titanium dioxide nanoparticles in the effluent from a lab-scale wastewater treatment system

Georgantzopoulou, Anastasia, Almeida Carvalho, Patricia, Vogelsang, Christian, Tilahun, Mengstab, Ndungu, Kuria, Booth, Andy M., Thomas, Kevin V. and Macken, Ailbhe (2018). Ecotoxicological effects of transformed silver and titanium dioxide nanoparticles in the effluent from a lab-scale wastewater treatment system. Environmental Science and Technology, 52 (16), 9431-9441. doi: 10.1021/acs.est.8b01663

Ecotoxicological effects of transformed silver and titanium dioxide nanoparticles in the effluent from a lab-scale wastewater treatment system

2018

Journal Article

Wastewater-based epidemiology biomarkers: past, present and future

Choi, Phil M., Tscharke, Ben J., Donner, Erica, O'Brien, Jake W., Grant, Sharon C., Kaserzon, Sarit L., Mackie, Rachel, O'Malley, Elissa, Crosbie, Nicholas D., Thomas, Kevin V. and Mueller, Jochen F. (2018). Wastewater-based epidemiology biomarkers: past, present and future. Trends in Analytical Chemistry, 105, 453-469. doi: 10.1016/j.trac.2018.06.004

Wastewater-based epidemiology biomarkers: past, present and future

2018

Journal Article

Analysis of stimulant drugs in the wastewater of five Nordic capitals

Löve, Arndís Sue Ching, Baz-Lomba, Jose Antonio, Reid, Malcolm J., Kankaanpää, Aino, Gunnar, Teemu, Dam, Maria, Ólafsdóttir, Kristín and Thomas, Kevin V. (2018). Analysis of stimulant drugs in the wastewater of five Nordic capitals. Science of the Total Environment, 627, 1039-1047. doi: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2018.01.274

Analysis of stimulant drugs in the wastewater of five Nordic capitals

2018

Journal Article

Comparison of phosphodiesterase type V inhibitors use in eight European cities through analysis of urban wastewater

Causanilles, Ana, Rojas Cantillano, Daniela, Emke, Erik, Bade, Richard, Baz-Lomba, Jose Antonio, Castiglioni, Sara, Castrignanò, Erika, Gracia-Lor, Emma, Hernández, Félix, Kasprzyk-Hordern, Barbara, Kinyua, Juliet, McCall, Ann-Kathrin, van Nuijs, Alexander L. N., Plósz, Benedek G., Ramin, Pedram, Rousis, Nikolaos I., Ryu, Yeonsuk, Thomas, Kevin V. and de Voogt, Pim (2018). Comparison of phosphodiesterase type V inhibitors use in eight European cities through analysis of urban wastewater. Environment International, 115, 279-284. doi: 10.1016/j.envint.2018.03.039

Comparison of phosphodiesterase type V inhibitors use in eight European cities through analysis of urban wastewater

2018

Journal Article

Multi-year inter-laboratory exercises for the analysis of illicit drugs and metabolites in wastewater: development of a quality control system

van Nuijs, Alexander L. N., Lai, Foon Yin, Been, Frederic, Andres-Costa, Maria Jesus, Barron, Leon, Baz-Lomba, Jose Antonio, Berset, Jean-Daniel, Benaglia, Lisa, Bijlsma, Lubertus, Burgard, Dan, Castiglioni, Sara, Christophoridis, Christophoros, Covaci, Adrian, de Voogt, Pim, Emke, Erik, Fatta-Kassinos, Despo, Fick, Jerker, Hernandez, Felix, Gerber, Cobus, González-Mariño, Iria, Grabic, Roman, Gunnar, Teemu, Kannan, Kurunthachalam, Karolak, Sara, Kasprzyk-Hordern, Barbara, Kokot, Zenon, Krizman-Matasic, Ivona, Li, Angela, Li, Xiqing ... Ort, Christoph (2018). Multi-year inter-laboratory exercises for the analysis of illicit drugs and metabolites in wastewater: development of a quality control system. TrAC - Trends in Analytical Chemistry, 103, 34-43. doi: 10.1016/j.trac.2018.03.009

Multi-year inter-laboratory exercises for the analysis of illicit drugs and metabolites in wastewater: development of a quality control system

2018

Journal Article

Identification of algal growth inhibitors in treated waste water using effect-directed analysis based on non-target screening techniques

Tousova, Zuzana, Froment, Jean, Oswald, Peter, Slobodník, Jaroslav, Hilscherova, Klara, Thomas, Kevin V., Tollefsen, Knut Erik, Reid, Malcolm, Langford, Katherine and Blaha, Ludek (2018). Identification of algal growth inhibitors in treated waste water using effect-directed analysis based on non-target screening techniques. Journal of Hazardous Materials, 358, 494-502. doi: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2018.05.031

Identification of algal growth inhibitors in treated waste water using effect-directed analysis based on non-target screening techniques

2018

Journal Article

Exploring the potential of a global emerging contaminant early warning network through the use of retrospective suspect screening with high-resolution mass spectrometry

Alygizakis, Nikiforos A., Samanipour, Saer, Hollender, Juliane, Ibáñez, María, Kaserzon, Sarit, Kokkali, Varvara, van Leerdam, Jan A., Mueller, Jochen F., Pijnappels, Martijn, Reid, Malcolm J., Schymanski, Emma L., Slobodnik, Jaroslav, Thomaidis, Nikolaos S. and Thomas, Kevin V. (2018). Exploring the potential of a global emerging contaminant early warning network through the use of retrospective suspect screening with high-resolution mass spectrometry. Environmental Science & Technology, 52 (9), 5135-5144. doi: 10.1021/acs.est.8b00365

Exploring the potential of a global emerging contaminant early warning network through the use of retrospective suspect screening with high-resolution mass spectrometry

2018

Journal Article

Mass spectrometric strategies for the investigation of biomarkers of illicit drug use in wastewater

Hernández, Félix, Castiglioni, Sara, Covaci, Adrian, de Voogt, Pim, Emke, Erik, Kasprzyk-Hordern, Barbara, Ort, Christoph, Reid, Malcolm, Sancho, Juan V., Thomas, Kevin V., van Nuijs, Alexander L.N., Zuccato, Ettore and Bijlsma, Lubertus (2018). Mass spectrometric strategies for the investigation of biomarkers of illicit drug use in wastewater. Mass Spectrometry Reviews, 37 (3), 258-280. doi: 10.1002/mas.21525

Mass spectrometric strategies for the investigation of biomarkers of illicit drug use in wastewater

2018

Journal Article

Combining a deconvolution and a universal library search algorithm for the nontarget analysis of data-independent acquisition mode liquid chromatography-high-resolution mass spectrometry results

Samanipour, Saer, Reid, Malcolm J., Bæk, Kine and Thomas, Kevin V. (2018). Combining a deconvolution and a universal library search algorithm for the nontarget analysis of data-independent acquisition mode liquid chromatography-high-resolution mass spectrometry results. Environmental Science & Technology, 52 (8), 4694-4701. doi: 10.1021/acs.est.8b00259

Combining a deconvolution and a universal library search algorithm for the nontarget analysis of data-independent acquisition mode liquid chromatography-high-resolution mass spectrometry results

2018

Journal Article

Enantiomeric profiling of chiral illicit drugs in a pan-European study

Castrignanò, Erika, Yang, Zhugen, Bade, Richard, Baz-Lomba, Jose A., Castiglioni, Sara, Causanilles, Ana, Covaci, Adrian, Gracia-Lor, Emma, Hernandez, Felix, Kinyua, Juliet, McCall, Ann-Kathrin, van Nuijs, Alexander L.N., Ort, Christoph, Plósz, Benedek G., Ramin, Pedram, Rousis, Nikolaos I., Ryu, Yeonsuk, Thomas, Kevin V., de Voogt, Pim, Zuccato, Ettore and Kasprzyk-Hordern, Barbara (2018). Enantiomeric profiling of chiral illicit drugs in a pan-European study. Water Research, 130, 151-160. doi: 10.1016/j.watres.2017.11.051

Enantiomeric profiling of chiral illicit drugs in a pan-European study

2018

Journal Article

Weathering impacts the uptake of polyethylene microparticles from toothpaste in Mediterranean mussels (M. galloprovincialis)

Bråte, Inger Lise N., Blázquez, Mercedes, Brooks, Steven J. and Thomas, Kevin V. (2018). Weathering impacts the uptake of polyethylene microparticles from toothpaste in Mediterranean mussels (M. galloprovincialis). Science of the Total Environment, 626, 1310-1318. doi: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2018.01.141

Weathering impacts the uptake of polyethylene microparticles from toothpaste in Mediterranean mussels (M. galloprovincialis)

2018

Journal Article

A high-throughput solid-phase microextraction and post-loop mixing large volume injection method for water samples

Baz-Lomba, J. A., Löve, Arndís Sue-Ching, Reid, Malcolm J., Ólafsdóttir, Kristín and Thomas, Kevin V. (2018). A high-throughput solid-phase microextraction and post-loop mixing large volume injection method for water samples. Journal of Chromatography A, 1531, 32-38. doi: 10.1016/j.chroma.2017.11.051

A high-throughput solid-phase microextraction and post-loop mixing large volume injection method for water samples

2018

Book Chapter

Wastewater analysis for community-wide drugs use assessment

Ort, Christoph, Bijlsma, Lubertus, Castiglioni, Sara, Covaci, Adrian, de Voogt, Pim, Emke, Erik, Hernández, Félix, Reid, Malcolm, van Nuijs, Alexander L. N., Thomas, Kevin V. and Kasprzyk-Hordern, Barbara (2018). Wastewater analysis for community-wide drugs use assessment. New psychoactive substances: pharmacology, clinical, forensic and analytical toxicology. (pp. 543-566) edited by Hans H. Maurer and Simon D. Brandt. New York, NY, United States: Springer. doi: 10.1007/164_2018_111

Wastewater analysis for community-wide drugs use assessment

2018

Journal Article

Determination of cannabinoid and synthetic cannabinoid metabolites in wastewater by liquid-liquid extraction and ultra-high performance supercritical fluid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry

González-Mariño, Iria, Thomas, Kevin V. and Reid, Malcolm J. (2018). Determination of cannabinoid and synthetic cannabinoid metabolites in wastewater by liquid-liquid extraction and ultra-high performance supercritical fluid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. Drug Testing and Analysis, 10 (1), 222-228. doi: 10.1002/dta.2199

Determination of cannabinoid and synthetic cannabinoid metabolites in wastewater by liquid-liquid extraction and ultra-high performance supercritical fluid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry

Current funding

  • 2026 - 2030
    Characterising Environmental Chemicals Driving Antimicrobial Resistance
    ARC Discovery Projects
    Open grant
  • 2023 - 2027
    National Wastewater Drug Monitoring Program
    Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission
    Open grant
  • 2023 - 2028
    ARC Training Centre for Hyphenated Analytical Separation Technologies (ARC ITRP administered by the University of Tasmania)
    University of Tasmania
    Open grant
  • 2023 - 2028
    Queensland Alliance for Environmental Health Sciences
    Queensland Health
    Open grant
  • 2022 - 2027
    Identification of chemical and biological determinants, their sources, and strategies to promote healthier homes in Europe (INQUIRE)
    NHMRC European Union Collaborative Research Grants
    Open grant
  • 2022 - 2027
    Improving indoor air quality and health: Identification of chemical and biological determinants, their sources, and strategies to promote healthier homes in Europe - INQUIRE (EU RIA led by NILU)
    Norwegian Institute for Air Research
    Open grant
  • 2021 - 2028
    Developing protocols to measure plastic chemicals in human brain, blood and urine
    The Minderoo Foundation Pty Ltd
    Open grant
  • 2020 - 2030
    Centre to develop novel mass spectrometry protocols to measure plastic chemicals in human tissue
    The Minderoo Foundation Pty Ltd
    Open grant

Past funding

  • 2024 - 2025
    Chemical Analyses of National Passive Air Samples
    DCCEEW - Approach to Market
    Open grant
  • 2024 - 2025
    Analysing Clothing Textiles on the Australian Market for Chemicals of Concern
    DCCEEW - Approach to Market
    Open grant
  • 2024
    Microplastics in drinking water
    Minderoo Foundation Limited
    Open grant
  • 2023
    Performance and Image Enhancing Substances in Wastewater
    Sport Integrity Australia
    Open grant
  • 2021 - 2023
    Australian Environmental Specimen Bank: advancing specimen bank capability
    ARC Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment and Facilities
    Open grant
  • 2021 - 2022
    Preliminary investigations relating to the role of cyanobacterial blooms in the amplification and dispersal of antimicrobial resistance
    Melbourne Water Corporation
    Open grant
  • 2021
    Quarantined ion chromatography mass spectrometry (IC-MS) facility (ARC LIEF administered by University of Tasmania)
    University of Tasmania
    Open grant
  • 2020 - 2025
    Exposure to Trihalomethanes in pregnancy and birth outcomes in Queensland: integrated data analysis and case studies for better policy and health outcomes
    NHMRC Partnership Projects
    Open grant
  • 2020 - 2023
    Improved monitoring of aquatic pollutants in national water resources
    ARC Linkage Projects
    Open grant
  • 2020 - 2024
    Comprehensive characterisation of the PFAS exposome
    NHMRC Targeted Research
    Open grant
  • 2019 - 2023
    Estimating use of tobacco and nicotine products through wastewater analysis
    ARC Linkage Projects
    Open grant
  • 2019 - 2023
    National Wastewater Drug Monitoring Program
    Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission
    Open grant
  • 2019 - 2024
    Microplastics: Long-term Effects of plastics and Additive Chemicals on marine organisms (MicroLEACH)
    Norwegian Institute for Water Research
    Open grant
  • 2019 - 2023
    A global platform for identifying emerging chemical threats
    ARC Discovery Projects
    Open grant
  • 2019
    A Gas Chromatography-High Resolution Accurate Mass Spectrometry Facility
    ARC Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment and Facilities
    Open grant
  • 2019 - 2023
    Novel Testing Strategies for Endocrine Disruptors in the Context of Developmental Neuro Toxicity (ENDpoiNTs) (Horizon 2020 Grant administered by Karolinska Institute)
    Uppsala University
    Open grant
  • 2019
    UHPLC-QTOF-MS for research on emerging chemical pollutants including PFAS
    UQ Major Equipment and Infrastructure
    Open grant
  • 2018 - 2020
    Identification and screening for potential human health effects of coal seam gas (CSG) activity in the southern Surat Basin, Queensland
    CSIRO
    Open grant
  • 2018 - 2023
    Queensland Alliance for Environmental Health Sciences
    Queensland Health
    Open grant
  • 2018 - 2022
    Exposure mapping - combining wastewater analysis with human biomonitoring
    ARC Discovery Projects
    Open grant
  • 2015 - 2018
    Queensland Alliance for Environmental Health Sciences
    Queensland Health
    Open grant

Availability

Professor Kevin Thomas is:
Available for supervision

Looking for a supervisor? Read our advice on how to choose a supervisor.

Available projects

  • Deciphering known and unknown chemical drivers of antimicrobial resistance in environmental mixtures

    Quantify known AMR-selective chemicals in complex samples, use iceberg modelling to estimate unknown drivers, and isolate unknown AMR-selective compounds via bioassay-directed fractionation for structural characterisation by high resolution mass spectrometry.

  • Available projects for prospective PhD students

    Projects are available around four broad themes.

    • Identifying chemicals that select for antimicrobial resistance.
    • Assessing the environmental plastics cycle with a focus on human exposure.
    • Assessing community-wide health status through wastewater-based epidemiology.
    • Alternative matrices for exposure monitoring. For example explanted silicone prostheses and wristbands.
    • Analytical methods for the characterization of contaminants of emerging concern (target/suspect-screening/non-target analysis).

    Project specific opportunities are advertised on our centre website

Supervision history

Current supervision

Completed supervision

Enquiries

Contact Professor Kevin Thomas directly for media enquiries about:

  • Aquatic pollution
  • chemical pollution
  • Illicit drug monitoring in wastewater
  • Microplastics

Need help?

For help with finding experts, story ideas and media enquiries, contact our Media team:

communications@uq.edu.au