Overview
Background
Professor Kevin Thomas is an internationally recognised environmental health scientist whose research over three decades has focused on a fundamental challenge: how can we identify, measure and understand the environmental exposures that matter for human and ecosystem health?
His research has pioneered new approaches to measuring environmental exposure, from environmental contaminants and complex mixtures to wastewater-based epidemiology, plastics and human health. He pioneered wastewater-based epidemiology as a population-level approach to monitoring community health and behaviour, and has advanced the measurement of micro- and nanoplastics, plastic-associated chemicals, PFAS and other contaminants of emerging concern.
A central focus of his research is making previously invisible exposures measurable. He combines high-resolution mass spectrometry, non-target analysis and advanced approaches to chemical and polymer characterisation to identify and quantify known and previously unrecognised exposures across environmental, population and human matrices.
His current research focuses on the human chemical and particulate exposome—integrating measurements of chemicals, plastics and other environmental stressors with exposure and health data to understand how complex mixtures of environmental exposures affect human health.
Professor Thomas is Director of the Queensland Alliance for Environmental Health Sciences (QAEHS) at The University of Queensland and Director of the Minderoo Centre for Plastics and Human Health. He is also Deputy Director and Queensland Node Leader of the ARC Industrial Transformation Training Centre for Hyphenated Analytical Separation Technologies (HyTech), and is affiliated with the ARC Training Centre for Bioplastics and Biocomposites and the Centre for Marine Science.
His research programme spans four interconnected areas:
Plastics and human health. Developing analytical approaches to identify and quantify micro- and nanoplastics and associated chemicals in environmental and human matrices, and to understand human exposure and potential health effects.
Emerging contaminants and exposomics. Developing high-resolution mass spectrometric and non-target approaches to identify known and previously unknown chemical exposures, including PFAS and other persistent and mobile contaminants.
Wastewater-based epidemiology. Using wastewater as a population-level biological sample to monitor community health, drug and tobacco use, emerging chemical threats and other indicators of population behaviour and health.
Antimicrobial resistance and environmental health. Identifying chemical and biological drivers of antimicrobial resistance in environmental mixtures, and developing approaches to understand their sources, exposure pathways and risks.
Professor Thomas has authored more than 400 pper-reviewed publications and has supervised researchers across environmental chemistry, analytical science, wastewater epidemiology, plastics and human exposure. His research brings together analytical science, environmental health and population-level measurement, with extensive collaboration across government, industry and international research organisations.
Across his research, a consistent focus has been making previously invisible environmental exposures measurable. This has taken his work from known contaminants to complex mixtures, population-level measurements and, increasingly, the chemical and particulate exposome of humans.
Availability
- Professor Kevin Thomas is:
- Available for supervision
- Media expert
Fields of research
Qualifications
- Doctor of Philosophy, Plymouth University
- Doctoral Diploma of Science (Advanced), Plymouth University
Works
Search Professor Kevin Thomas’s works on UQ eSpace
2017
Journal Article
Use of Mobile Device Data To Better Estimate Dynamic Population Size for Wastewater-Based Epidemiology
Thomas, Kevin V., Amador, Arturo, Baz-Lomba, Jose Antonio and Reid, Malcolm (2017). Use of Mobile Device Data To Better Estimate Dynamic Population Size for Wastewater-Based Epidemiology. Environmental Science and Technology, 51 (19), 11363-11370. doi: 10.1021/acs.est.7b02538
2017
Journal Article
Roads and motorized transport as major sources of priority substances?: a data register study
Grung, Merete, Vikan, Hedda, Hertel-Aas, Turid, Meland, Sondre, Thomas, Kevin V. and Ranneklev, Sissel (2017). Roads and motorized transport as major sources of priority substances?: a data register study. Journal of Toxicology and Environmental Health - Part A: Current Issues, 80 (16-18), 1031-1047. doi: 10.1080/15287394.2017.1352206
2017
Journal Article
Mixture toxicity of five biocides with dissimilar modes of action on the growth and photosystem II efficiency of Chlamydomonas reinhardtii
de Almeida, Ana Catarina Godinho, Petersen, Karina, Langford, Katherine, Thomas, Kevin V. and Tollefsen, Knut Erik (2017). Mixture toxicity of five biocides with dissimilar modes of action on the growth and photosystem II efficiency of Chlamydomonas reinhardtii. Journal of Toxicology and Environmental Health - Part A: Current Issues, 80 (16-18), 971-986. doi: 10.1080/15287394.2017.1352176
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
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
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.
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
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
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
Funding
Current funding
Supervision
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
Understanding emerging contaminants and metabolomic responses in Australian seabird species
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Associate Professor Sarit Kaserzon, Dr Fisher Wang
-
Doctor Philosophy
Cross regional comparison of emerging contaminants in urban catchments
Principal Advisor
-
Doctor Philosophy
Assessing microplastic inputs from ships
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Elvis Okoffo, 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
Human exposure and accumulation of plastics
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Cassandra Rauert
-
Doctor Philosophy
High-Resolution Mass Spectrometric Characterisation of Ubiquitous Environmental Contaminants of Emerging Concern
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Jake O'Brien
-
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
Human exposure and fate of micro/nanoplastics
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Taskeen Janjua Khan, Dr Cassandra Rauert
-
Doctor Philosophy
Road to Contamination: Understanding the Environmental Distribution of Tyre Wear Particles and Tyre Associated Chemicals in Australian Urban Environments
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Cassandra Rauert
-
Doctor Philosophy
Human exposure to glyphosate-based herbicides and methods to reduce exposure
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Fisher Wang, Professor Bhagirath Chauhan, Associate Professor Sarit Kaserzon
-
Doctor Philosophy
AMR in food producing environments (Ref: 5529)
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Jake O'Brien
-
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
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
Investigation of the inflammatory response of human cells to silica dust exposure
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Jianhua Guo, Dr Jake O'Brien
-
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
Emerging contaminants in Food Contact Materials, analysis policy and regulation
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Fisher Wang, Associate Professor Sarit Kaserzon
-
Doctor Philosophy
The suitability of wastewater-based epidemiology for AMR surveillance
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Jake O'Brien
Completed supervision
-
2026
Doctor Philosophy
Investigating dietary exposure to nanoplastics and microplastics
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Cassandra Rauert
-
2026
Doctor Philosophy
Microplastic Pollution in Water Systems: Issues and Treatment
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Elvis Okoffo
-
2025
Doctor Philosophy
Exploring antimicrobial resistance in Australian wastewater
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Jake O'Brien, Professor Jianhua Guo
-
2025
Doctor Philosophy
Microplastics in the air: Working towards understanding micro plastics in the atmospheric environment, the plastic exposome and human respiratory exposure
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Jake O'Brien, Dr Fisher Wang, Dr Cassandra Rauert
-
2025
Doctor Philosophy
Antibiotics and other chemicals that select for antimicrobial resistance in Australian wastewater
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Jake O'Brien
-
2025
Doctor Philosophy
Advancing the non-target identification of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances in environmental samples
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Ian Wood, Dr Jake O'Brien, Associate Professor Sarit Kaserzon
-
2022
Doctor Philosophy
Evaluating the suitability of wastewater analysis for the detection and monitoring of performance- and image-enhancing drug use
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Jochen Mueller, Dr Jake O'Brien, Dr Ben Tscharke
-
2022
Doctor Philosophy
Assessment of plastic contamination in marine organisms
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Jochen Mueller, Dr Jake O'Brien, Associate Professor Sarit Kaserzon
-
2022
Doctor Philosophy
Assessment of analgesic consumption and the burden of treated pain in Australia using wastewater-based epidemiology
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Jochen Mueller, Dr Jake O'Brien, Dr Ben Tscharke
-
2021
Doctor Philosophy
An assessment of plastic residues in Australian biosolids
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Jochen Mueller, Dr Jake O'Brien, Dr Ben Tscharke
-
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
-
2025
Doctor Philosophy
Fate and behaviour of neonicotinoids in Australian aquatic environments
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Associate Professor Sarit Kaserzon
-
2025
Doctor Philosophy
Estimating use of nicotine containing products and evaluating tobacco-related health risks through wastewater analysis
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Jochen Mueller, Dr Jake O'Brien, Dr Ben Tscharke, Associate Professor Phong Thai
-
2024
Doctor Philosophy
Improved monitoring of hydrophilic aquatic contaminants.
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Associate Professor Sarit Kaserzon
-
2023
Doctor Philosophy
Evaluation and Implementation of Methods to increase Comprehensiveness of Non-Target Analysis
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Jochen Mueller, Associate Professor Sarit Kaserzon
-
2022
Doctor Philosophy
Innovative sampling strategies for improved wastewater-based epidemiology
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Jochen Mueller, Associate Professor Sarit Kaserzon, Dr Ben Tscharke
-
2022
Doctor Philosophy
An assessment of alcohol and tobacco consumption by wastewater-based epidemiology
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Jochen Mueller, Dr Jake O'Brien, Dr Ben Tscharke, Associate Professor Phong Thai
-
2021
Doctor Philosophy
Firefighters' exposure to potentially toxic combustion products.
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Fisher Wang, Professor Jochen Mueller
-
2020
Doctor Philosophy
Population diet and stress estimates using wastewater based epidemiology
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Jake O'Brien, Professor Jochen Mueller
-
Doctor Philosophy
Microplastic pollution: From nanoscale surface interactions to public perceptions
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Associate Professor Sarit Kaserzon
Media
Enquiries
Contact Professor Kevin Thomas directly for media enquiries about:
- Aquatic pollution
- chemical pollution
- Illicit drug monitoring in wastewater
- Microplastics
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