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

418 works between 1995 and 2026
All (418) Journal Article (372) Other Outputs (5) Conference Publication (30) Book Chapter (11)

261 - 280 of 418 works

2017

Journal Article

Wastewater-based epidemiology to assess pan-European pesticide exposure

Rousis, Nikolaos I., Gracia-Lor, Emma, Zuccato, Ettore, Bade, Richard, Baz-Lomba, Jose Antonio, Castrignano, Erika, Causanilles, Ana, Covaci, Adrian, de Voogt, Pim, Hernandez, Felix, Kasprzyk-Hordern, Barbara, Kinyua, Juliet, McCall, Ann-Kathrin, Plosz, Benedek Gy., Ramin, Pedram, Ryu, Yeonsuk, Thomas, Kevin V., van Nuijs, Alexander, Yang, Zhugen and Castiglioni, Sara (2017). Wastewater-based epidemiology to assess pan-European pesticide exposure. Water Research, 121, 270-279. doi: 10.1016/j.watres.2017.05.044

Wastewater-based epidemiology to assess pan-European pesticide exposure

2017

Journal Article

Passive sampling of wastewater as a tool for the long-term monitoring of community exposure: illicit and prescription drug trends as a proof of concept

Baz-Lomba, J. A., Harman, Christopher, Reid, Malcolm and Thomas, Kevin V. (2017). Passive sampling of wastewater as a tool for the long-term monitoring of community exposure: illicit and prescription drug trends as a proof of concept. Water Research, 121, 221-230. doi: 10.1016/j.watres.2017.05.041

Passive sampling of wastewater as a tool for the long-term monitoring of community exposure: illicit and prescription drug trends as a proof of concept

2017

Other Outputs

Evaluation of PFAS remediation technologies: literature review and analysis

Braeunig, Jennifer, Mortimer, Munro, Thomas, Kevin and Mueller, Jochen (2017). Evaluation of PFAS remediation technologies: literature review and analysis. Canberra, ACT, Australia: Australian Government, Prime Minister and Cabinet.

Evaluation of PFAS remediation technologies: literature review and analysis

2017

Journal Article

Toxicity of emerging antifouling biocides to non-target freshwater organisms from three trophic levels

Oliveira, Isabel B., Thomas, Kevin V., Groh, Ksenia J., Schönenberger, Rene, Barroso, Carlos and Suter, Marc J.-F. (2017). Toxicity of emerging antifouling biocides to non-target freshwater organisms from three trophic levels. Aquatic Toxicology, 191, 164-174. doi: 10.1016/j.aquatox.2017.07.019

Toxicity of emerging antifouling biocides to non-target freshwater organisms from three trophic levels

2017

Journal Article

Oxidative stress in the algae Chlamydomonas reinhardtii exposed to biocides

Almeida, Ana Catarina, Gomes, Tania, Langford, Katherine, Thomas, Kevin V. and Tollefsen, Knut Erik (2017). Oxidative stress in the algae Chlamydomonas reinhardtii exposed to biocides. Aquatic Toxicology, 189, 50-59. doi: 10.1016/j.aquatox.2017.05.014

Oxidative stress in the algae Chlamydomonas reinhardtii exposed to biocides

2017

Journal Article

Two stage algorithm vs commonly used approaches for the suspect screening of complex environmental samples analyzed via liquid chromatography high resolution time of flight mass spectroscopy: a test study

Samanipour, Saer, Baz-Lomba, Jose A, Alygizakis, Nikiforos A., Reid, Malcolm J., Thomaidis, Nikolaos S. and Thomas, Kevin V. (2017). Two stage algorithm vs commonly used approaches for the suspect screening of complex environmental samples analyzed via liquid chromatography high resolution time of flight mass spectroscopy: a test study. Journal of Chromatography A, 1501, 68-78. doi: 10.1016/j.chroma.2017.04.040

Two stage algorithm vs commonly used approaches for the suspect screening of complex environmental samples analyzed via liquid chromatography high resolution time of flight mass spectroscopy: a test study

2017

Journal Article

Statistical variable selection: an alternative prioritization strategy during the nontarget analysis of LC-HR-MS data

Samanipour, Saer, Reid, Malcolm J. and Thomas, Kevin V. (2017). Statistical variable selection: an alternative prioritization strategy during the nontarget analysis of LC-HR-MS data. Analytical Chemistry, 89 (10), 5585-5591. doi: 10.1021/acs.analchem.7b00743

Statistical variable selection: an alternative prioritization strategy during the nontarget analysis of LC-HR-MS data

2017

Journal Article

Miniaturization of a transthyretin binding assay using a fluorescent probe for high throughput screening of thyroid hormone disruption in environmental samples

Ouyang, Xiyu, Froment, Jean, Leonards, Pim E. G., Christensen, Guttorm, Tollefsen, Knut-Erik, de Boer, Jacob, Thomas, Kevin V. and Lamoree, Marja H. (2017). Miniaturization of a transthyretin binding assay using a fluorescent probe for high throughput screening of thyroid hormone disruption in environmental samples. Chemosphere, 171, 722-728. doi: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2016.12.119

Miniaturization of a transthyretin binding assay using a fluorescent probe for high throughput screening of thyroid hormone disruption in environmental samples

2017

Journal Article

Identification of non-regulated polycyclic aromatic compounds and other markers of urban pollution in road tunnel particulate matter

Grung, Merete, Kringstad, Alfhild, Baek, Kine, Allan, Ian J., Thomas, Kevin V., Meland, Sondre and Ranneklev, Sissel B. (2017). Identification of non-regulated polycyclic aromatic compounds and other markers of urban pollution in road tunnel particulate matter. Journal of Hazardous Materials, 323, 36-44. doi: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2016.05.036

Identification of non-regulated polycyclic aromatic compounds and other markers of urban pollution in road tunnel particulate matter

2017

Journal Article

Liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry determination of synthetic cathinones and phenethylamines in influent wastewater of eight European cities

Bade, Richard, Bijlsma, Lubertus, Sancho, Juan V., Baz-Lomba, Jose A., Castiglioni, Sara, Castrignano, Erika, Causanilles, Ana, Gracia-Lor, Emma, Kasprzyk-Hordern, Barbara, Kinyua, Juliet, McCall, Ann-Kathrin, van Nuijs, Alexander L. N., Ort, Christoph, Plosz, Benedek G., Ramin, Pedram, Rousis, Nikolaos I., Ryu, Yeonsuk, Thomas, Kevin V., de Voogt, Pim, Zuccato, Ettore and Hernandez, Felix (2017). Liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry determination of synthetic cathinones and phenethylamines in influent wastewater of eight European cities. Chemosphere, 168, 1032-1041. doi: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2016.10.107

Liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry determination of synthetic cathinones and phenethylamines in influent wastewater of eight European cities

2017

Conference Publication

Can wastewater analysis be used to inform on the clandestine production of methylamphetamine?

Kayalar, Hasan, O'Brien, Jake, Shimko, Katja, Tscharke, Ben, Choi, Phil, Ferris, Jason, Eaglesham, Geoff, Jiang, Hui, Barron, Leon, Mueller, Jochen and Thomas, Kevin (2017). Can wastewater analysis be used to inform on the clandestine production of methylamphetamine?. 2nd Queensland Mass Spectrometry Symposium, Brisbane, Australia, 2-3 November 2017.

Can wastewater analysis be used to inform on the clandestine production of methylamphetamine?

2017

Conference Publication

Finding population and demographic markers in wastewater using samples collected during a population census

O'Brien, Jake, Grant, Sharon, Thai, Phong, Ort, Christoph, Eaglesham, Geoff, Vijayasarathy, Soumini, Lai, Foon Yin, Covaci, Adrian, Novic, Andrew, Tscharke, Ben, Choi, Phil, Thomas, Kevin and Mueller, Jochen (2017). Finding population and demographic markers in wastewater using samples collected during a population census. Testing the Waters 2017: 3rd International conference on “Wastewater – Based Drug Epidemiology”, Lisbon, Portugal, 26-27 October 2017.

Finding population and demographic markers in wastewater using samples collected during a population census

2017

Conference Publication

Towards monitoring population food consumption and dietary status using wastewater based epidemiology

Choi, Phil M. , O'Brien, Jake W. , Tscharke, Ben , Mackie, Rachel , Eaglesham, Geoff , Grant, Sharon , Thomas, Kevin V. and Mueller, Jochen F. (2017). Towards monitoring population food consumption and dietary status using wastewater based epidemiology. 13th Annual Conference of the Metabolomics Society, Brisbane Convention & Exhibition Centre, Brisbane, Australia, 26-29 June 2017.

Towards monitoring population food consumption and dietary status using wastewater based epidemiology

2017

Conference Publication

Can wastewater-based epidemiology be used for the assessment of anabolic steroid use?

Shimko, Katja, O'Brien, Jake, Kayalar, Hasan, Choi, Phil, Jiang, Hui, Tscharke, Ben, Zahnow, Renee, Eaglesham, Geoff, Mueller, Jochen, Barron, Leon and Thomas, Kevin (2017). Can wastewater-based epidemiology be used for the assessment of anabolic steroid use?. Qld Annual Chemistry Symposium, Brisbane, Australia, 27 November 2017.

Can wastewater-based epidemiology be used for the assessment of anabolic steroid use?

2016

Journal Article

Increased levels of the oxidative stress biomarker 8-iso-prostaglandin F2α in wastewater associated with tobacco use

Ryu, Yeonsuk, Gracia-Lor, Emma, Bade, Richard, Baz-Lomba, J. A., Bramness, Jorgen G., Castiglioni, Sara, Castrignano, Erika, Causanilles, Ana, Covaci, Adrian, de Voogt, Pim, Hernandez, Felix, Kasprzyk-Hordern, Barbara, Kinyua, Juliet, McCall, Ann-Kathrin, Ort, Christoph, Plosz, Benedek G., Ramin, Pedram, Rousis, Nikolaos I., Reid, Malcolm J. and Thomas, Kevin V. (2016). Increased levels of the oxidative stress biomarker 8-iso-prostaglandin F2α in wastewater associated with tobacco use. Scientific Reports, 6 (39055) 39055. doi: 10.1038/srep39055

Increased levels of the oxidative stress biomarker 8-iso-prostaglandin F2α in wastewater associated with tobacco use

2016

Journal Article

Plastic ingestion by Atlantic cod (Gadus morhua) from the Norwegian coast

Brate, Inger Lise N., Eidsvoll, David P., Steindal, Calin Constantin and Thomas, Kevin V. (2016). Plastic ingestion by Atlantic cod (Gadus morhua) from the Norwegian coast. Marine Pollution Bulletin, 112 (1-2), 105-110. doi: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2016.08.034

Plastic ingestion by Atlantic cod (Gadus morhua) from the Norwegian coast

2016

Journal Article

Comparison of pharmaceutical, illicit drug, alcohol, nicotine and caffeine levels in wastewater with sale, seizure and consumption data for 8 European cities

Baz-Lomba, Jose Antonio, Salvatore, Stefania, Gracia-Lor, Emma, Bade, Richard, Castiglioni, Sara, Castrignano, Erika, Causanilles, Ana, Hernandez, Felix, Kasprzyk-Hordern, Barbara, Kinyua, Juliet, McCall, Ann-Kathrin, van Nuijs, Alexander, Ort, Christoph, Plosz, Benedek G., Ramin, Pedram, Reid, Malcolm, Rousis, Nikolaos I., Ryu, Yeonsuk, de Voogt, Pim, Bramness, Jorgen and Thomas, Kevin (2016). Comparison of pharmaceutical, illicit drug, alcohol, nicotine and caffeine levels in wastewater with sale, seizure and consumption data for 8 European cities. BMC Public Health, 16 (1035) 1035, 1-11. doi: 10.1186/s12889-016-3686-5

Comparison of pharmaceutical, illicit drug, alcohol, nicotine and caffeine levels in wastewater with sale, seizure and consumption data for 8 European cities

2016

Journal Article

Comparative measurement and quantitative risk assessment of alcohol consumption through wastewater-based epidemiology: an international study in 20 cities

Ryu, Yeonsuk, Barcelo, Damià, Barron, Leon P., Bijlsma, Lubertus, Castiglioni, Sara, de Voogt, Pim, Emke, Erik, Hernandez, Félix, Lai, Foon Yin, Lopes, Alvaro, de Alda, Miren López, Mastroianni, Nicola, Munro, Kelly, O'Brien, Jake, Ort, Christoph, Plosz, Benedek G., Reid, Malcolm J., Yargeau, Viviane and Thomas, Kevin V. (2016). Comparative measurement and quantitative risk assessment of alcohol consumption through wastewater-based epidemiology: an international study in 20 cities. Science of the Total Environment, 565, 977-983. doi: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2016.04.138

Comparative measurement and quantitative risk assessment of alcohol consumption through wastewater-based epidemiology: an international study in 20 cities

2016

Journal Article

Identification of markers of cancer in urban sewage through the use of a suspect screening approach

Ferrando-Climent, Laura, Reid, Malcolm J., Rodriguez-Mozaz, Sara, Barcelo, Damia and Thomas, Kevin V. (2016). Identification of markers of cancer in urban sewage through the use of a suspect screening approach. Journal of Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Analysis, 129, 571-580. doi: 10.1016/j.jpba.2016.08.001

Identification of markers of cancer in urban sewage through the use of a suspect screening approach

2016

Journal Article

A two stage algorithm for target and suspect analysis of produced water via gas chromatography coupled with high resolution time of flight mass spectrometry

Samanipour, Saer, Langford, Katherine, Reid, Malcolm J. and Thomas, Kevin V. (2016). A two stage algorithm for target and suspect analysis of produced water via gas chromatography coupled with high resolution time of flight mass spectrometry. Journal of Chromatography A, 1463, 153-161. doi: 10.1016/j.chroma.2016.07.076

A two stage algorithm for target and suspect analysis of produced water via gas chromatography coupled with high resolution time of flight 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
  • 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

  • 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

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Cross regional comparison of emerging contaminants in urban catchments

    Principal Advisor

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Evaluating degradation levels and their potential impact on the quantification of microplastics in the environment

    Principal Advisor

    Other advisors: Professor Andrew Whittaker, Associate Professor Sarit Kaserzon, Dr Elvis Okoffo

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Microplastics pollution in water systems: Issues and Treatment

    Principal Advisor

    Other advisors: Dr Elvis Okoffo

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Assessing dietary exposure to plastics and associated chemicals

    Principal Advisor

    Other advisors: Dr Cassandra Rauert

  • Doctor Philosophy

    PM2.5 and plastics pollution in Delhi: Sources, characterization and atmospheric transport modeling

    Principal Advisor

    Other advisors: Dr Cassandra Rauert

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Understanding emerging contaminants and metabolomic responses in Australian seabird species

    Principal Advisor

    Other advisors: Associate Professor Sarit Kaserzon, Dr Fisher Wang

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Assessing microplastic inputs from ships

    Principal Advisor

    Other advisors: Dr Elvis Okoffo, Dr Cassandra Rauert

  • Doctor Philosophy

    DETERMINATION OF MICRO AND NANOPLASTICS IN BREAST MILK, BLOOD AND MECONIUM SAMPLES FROM MOTHERS-INFANTS IN AUSTRALIA

    Associate Advisor

    Other advisors: Dr Cassandra Rauert

  • Doctor Philosophy

    The fate of plastics in soils

    Associate Advisor

    Other advisors: Dr Cassandra Rauert

  • Doctor Philosophy

    The suitability of wastewater-based epidemiology for AMR surveillance

    Associate Advisor

    Other advisors: Dr Jake O'Brien

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Human exposure and fate of micro/nanoplastics

    Associate Advisor

    Other advisors: Dr Cassandra Rauert, Dr Taskeen Janjua Khan

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Development of Specialised Hyphenated Methodologies for Quantifying New Halogenated Plastic Materials

    Associate Advisor

    Other advisors: Dr Jake O'Brien, Dr Elvis Okoffo, Dr Cassandra Rauert

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Non-Targeted High-Resolution Mass Spectrometric Characterisation of Highly Mobile and Highly Persistent Chemicals

    Associate Advisor

    Other advisors: Dr Elvis Okoffo, Dr Cassandra Rauert, Dr Jake O'Brien

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Emerging contaminants in Food Contact Materials, analysis policy and regulation

    Associate Advisor

    Other advisors: Associate Professor Sarit Kaserzon

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Human exposure and accumulation of plastics

    Associate Advisor

    Other advisors: Dr Cassandra Rauert

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Characterisation and Quantification of Nanoplastics in the Environment Using Pyrolysis Gas Chromatography Tandem Mass Spectrometry

    Associate Advisor

    Other advisors: Dr Jake O'Brien, Dr Elvis Okoffo, Dr Cassandra Rauert

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Emerging contaminants in Food Organics and Garden Organic (FOGO) materials

    Associate Advisor

    Other advisors: Associate Professor Sarit Kaserzon

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Reducing glyphosate exposure from high use practices

    Associate Advisor

    Other advisors: Dr Fisher Wang, Professor Bhagirath Chauhan, Associate Professor Sarit Kaserzon

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Developing the framework for a national wastewater antimicrobial resistance and antimicrobial use surveillance method

    Associate Advisor

    Other advisors: Dr Jake O'Brien

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Investigation of the inflammatory response of human cells to silica dust exposure

    Associate Advisor

    Other advisors: Professor Jianhua Guo, Dr Jake O'Brien

Completed supervision

Enquiries

Contact Professor Kevin Thomas directly for media enquiries about:

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

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