Overview
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 300 peer-reviewed papers and Associate Editor for the journal Science of the Total Environment, Kevin is a strong collaborative researcher having founded the international SCORE network on sewer biomarker analysis for community health assessment (see www.score-network.eu) and together with colleagues has recently launched InSpectra- A platform for identifying emerging chemical threats.
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
2012
Book Chapter
Passive sampling of organic contaminants in waters
Harman, C., Allan, I. and Thomas, K.V. (2012). Passive sampling of organic contaminants in waters. Comprehensive sampling and sample preparation. (pp. 265-280) edited by Janusz Pawliszyn. Amsterdam, Netherlands: Elsevier. doi: 10.1016/B978-0-12-381373-2.00014-4
2011
Journal Article
Quantitative assessment of time dependent drug-use trends by the analysis of drugs and related metabolites in raw sewage
Reid, Malcolm J., Langford, Katherine H., Morland, Jorg and Thomas, Kevin V. (2011). Quantitative assessment of time dependent drug-use trends by the analysis of drugs and related metabolites in raw sewage. Drug and Alcohol Dependence, 119 (3), 179-186. doi: 10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2011.06.007
2011
Journal Article
REACH exposure assessment of anticorrosive paint products - determination of exposure from application and service life to the aquatic environment
Gade, Anne Lill, Heiaas, Harald, Thomas, Kevin and Hylland, Ketil (2011). REACH exposure assessment of anticorrosive paint products - determination of exposure from application and service life to the aquatic environment. Regulatory Toxicology and Pharmacology, 61 (3), 332-339. doi: 10.1016/j.yrtph.2011.09.003
2011
Journal Article
The current status of community drug testing via the analysis of drugs and drug metabolites in sewage
Reid, Malcolm J., Harman, Christopher, Grung, Merete and Thomas, Kevin V. (2011). The current status of community drug testing via the analysis of drugs and drug metabolites in sewage. Norsk Epidemiologi, 21 (1), 15-23. doi: 10.5324/nje.v21i1.1421
2011
Journal Article
What else can the analysis of sewage for urinary biomarkers reveal about communities?
Thomas, Kevin V. and Reid, Malcolm J. (2011). What else can the analysis of sewage for urinary biomarkers reveal about communities?. Environmental Science and Technology, 45 (18), 7611-7612. doi: 10.1021/es202522d
2011
Journal Article
Analysis and interpretation of specific ethanol metabolites, ethyl sulfate, and ethyl glucuronide in sewage effluent for the quantitative measurement of regional alcohol consumption
Reid, Malcolm J., Langford, Katherine H., Morland, Jorg and Thomas, Kevin V. (2011). Analysis and interpretation of specific ethanol metabolites, ethyl sulfate, and ethyl glucuronide in sewage effluent for the quantitative measurement of regional alcohol consumption. Alcoholism-Clinical and Experimental Research, 35 (9), 1593-1599. doi: 10.1111/j.1530-0277.2011.01505.x
2011
Journal Article
Characterization of the effluent from a nanosilver producing washing machine
Farkas, Julia, Peter, Hannes, Christian, Paul, Urrea, Julian Alberto Gallego, Hassellov, Martin, Tuoriniemi, Jani, Gustafsson, Stefan, Olsson, Eva, Hylland, Ketil and Thomas, Kevin Victor (2011). Characterization of the effluent from a nanosilver producing washing machine. Environment International, 37 (6), 1057-1062. doi: 10.1016/j.envint.2011.03.006
2011
Journal Article
Multi-residue screening of prioritised human pharmaceuticals, illicit drugs and bactericides in sediments and sludge
Langford, Katherine H., Reid, Malcolm and Thomas, Kevin V. (2011). Multi-residue screening of prioritised human pharmaceuticals, illicit drugs and bactericides in sediments and sludge. Journal of Environmental Monitoring, 13 (8), 2284-2291. doi: 10.1039/c1em10260e
2011
Journal Article
In situ calibration of a passive sampling device for selected illicit drugs and their metabolites in wastewater, and subsequent year-long assessment of community drug usage
Harman, Christopher, Reid, Malcolm and Thomas, Kevin V. (2011). In situ calibration of a passive sampling device for selected illicit drugs and their metabolites in wastewater, and subsequent year-long assessment of community drug usage. Environmental Science and Technology, 45 (13), 5676-5682. doi: 10.1021/es201124j
2011
Journal Article
The need for standardized methods and environmental monitoring programs for anthropogenic nanoparticles
Paterson, Gordon, Macken, Ailbhe and Thomas, Kevin V. (2011). The need for standardized methods and environmental monitoring programs for anthropogenic nanoparticles. Analytical Methods, 3 (7), 1461-1467. doi: 10.1039/c1ay05157a
2011
Journal Article
Concerning the viewpoint; "an anti-doping sampling strategy utilizing the sewerage systems of sport villages"
Harman, Christopher, Reid, Malcolm and Thomas, Kevin V. (2011). Concerning the viewpoint; "an anti-doping sampling strategy utilizing the sewerage systems of sport villages". Environmental Science and Technology, 45 (10), 4191-4191. doi: 10.1021/es200839n
2011
Journal Article
Assessment of toxicological profiles of the municipal wastewater effluents using chemical analyses and bioassays
Smital, Tvrtko, Terzic, Senka, Zaja, Roko, Senta, Ivan, Pivcevic, Branka, Popovic, Marta, Mikac, Iva, Tollefsen, Knut Erik, Thomas, Kevin V. and Ahel, Marijan (2011). Assessment of toxicological profiles of the municipal wastewater effluents using chemical analyses and bioassays. Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety, 74 (4), 844-851. doi: 10.1016/j.ecoenv.2010.11.010
2011
Journal Article
Input of selected human pharmaceutical metabolites into the Norwegian aquatic environment
Langford, Katherine and Thomas, Kevin V. (2011). Input of selected human pharmaceutical metabolites into the Norwegian aquatic environment. Journal of Environmental Monitoring, 13 (2), 416-421. doi: 10.1039/c0em00342e
2011
Journal Article
Uptake and effects of manufactured silver nanoparticles in rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) gill cells
Farkas, Julia, Christian, Paul, Gallego-Urrea, Julian Alberto, Roos, Norbert, Hassellov, Martin, Tollefsen, Knut Erik and Thomas, Kevin V. (2011). Uptake and effects of manufactured silver nanoparticles in rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) gill cells. Aquatic Toxicology, 101 (1), 117-125. doi: 10.1016/j.aquatox.2010.09.010
2011
Book Chapter
Effect-directed analysis of endocrine disruptors in aquatic ecosystems
Houtman, Corine J., Legler, Juliette and Thomas, Kevin (2011). Effect-directed analysis of endocrine disruptors in aquatic ecosystems. Effect-directed analysis of complex environmental contamination. (pp. 237-265) edited by Werner Brack. Berlin, Germany: Springer. doi: 10.1007/978-3-642-18384-3_10
2011
Conference Publication
Effects-directed analysis of sediments from polluted marine sites in Norway
Grung, Merete, Naes, Kristoffer, Fogelberg, Oscar, Nilsen, Anja Julie, Brack, Werner, Luebcke-von Varel, Urte and Thomas, Kevin V. (2011). Effects-directed analysis of sediments from polluted marine sites in Norway. 3rd Norwegian Environmental Toxicology Symposium, Bergen, Norway, 14 - 16 April 2010. New York, NY, United States: Taylor & Francis. doi: 10.1080/15287394.2011.550555
2011
Conference Publication
Effects of dispersed aggregates of carbon and titanium dioxide engineered nanoparticles on rainbow trout hepatocytes
Thomas, Kevin V., Farkas, Julia, Farmen, Eivind, Christian, Paul, Langford, Katherine, Wu, Quinglan and Tollefsen, Knut-Erik (2011). Effects of dispersed aggregates of carbon and titanium dioxide engineered nanoparticles on rainbow trout hepatocytes. 3rd Norwegian Environmental Toxicology Symposium, Bergen, Norway, 14 - 16 April 2010. New York, NY, United States: Taylor & Francis. doi: 10.1080/15287394.2011.550557
2010
Book Chapter
Point sources of human pharmaceuticals into the aquatic environment
Thomas, Kevin V. and Langford, Katherine H. (2010). Point sources of human pharmaceuticals into the aquatic environment. Green and Sustainable Pharmacy. (pp. 211-223) Berlin, Heidelberg: Springer Berlin Heidelberg. doi: 10.1007/978-3-642-05199-9_14
2010
Journal Article
Cytotoxicity of atorvastatin and simvastatin on primary rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) hepatocytes
Ellesat, Kathrin Sabine, Tollefsen, Knut-Erik, Asberg, Anders, Thomas, Kevin V. and Hylland, Ketil (2010). Cytotoxicity of atorvastatin and simvastatin on primary rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) hepatocytes. Toxicology in Vitro, 24 (6), 1610-1618. doi: 10.1016/j.tiv.2010.06.006
2010
Journal Article
Diurnal variations in the occurrence and the fate of hormones and antibiotics in activated sludge wastewater treatment in Oslo, Norway
Plosz, Benedek Gy., Leknes, Henriette, Liltved, Helge and Thomas, Kevin V. (2010). Diurnal variations in the occurrence and the fate of hormones and antibiotics in activated sludge wastewater treatment in Oslo, Norway. Science of the Total Environment, 408 (8), 1915-1924. doi: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2010.01.042
Funding
Current funding
Supervision
Availability
- Professor Kevin Thomas is:
- Available for supervision
Before you email them, read our advice on how to contact a supervisor.
Available projects
-
Available projects for prospective PhD students
Projects are available arounf four broad themes.
- 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
-
Available projects for prospective PhD students
Projects are available around four broad themes.
- 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
-
Innovative Analytical Techniques for Detecting and Quantifying Oligomers in Environmental Matrices
Project summary: Develop and validate advanced analytical methods for the detection, identification, and quantification of oligomers in various environmental matrices.
-
Available projects for prospective PhD students
Projects are available around four broad themes.
- 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
Assessing microplastic inputs from ships
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Elvis Okoffo, Dr Cassie Rauert
-
Doctor Philosophy
development of accurate quantitative methods for microplastics in the terrestrial and marine environments
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Andrew Whittaker, Associate Professor Sarit Kaserzon, Dr Elvis Okoffo
-
Doctor Philosophy
development of accurate quantitative methods for microplastics in the terrestrial and marine environments
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
Understanding emerging contaminants and metabolomic responses in Australian seabird species
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Associate Professor Sarit Kaserzon, Dr Fisher Wang
-
Doctor Philosophy
Antibiotics and other chemicals that select for antimicrobial resistance in Australian wastewater
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Jake O'Brien
-
Doctor Philosophy
Microplastics in water system: Issues and treatment
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Elvis Okoffo
-
Doctor Philosophy
Characterisation of novel substances in wastewater that select for antimicrobial resistance
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Jake O'Brien, Professor Jianhua Guo
-
Doctor Philosophy
Assessing dietary exposure to plastics and associated chemicals
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Cassie Rauert
-
Doctor Philosophy
Microplastic exposure
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Jake O'Brien, Dr Fisher Wang, Dr Cassie Rauert
-
Doctor Philosophy
Antibiotics and other chemicals that select for resistance in the environment
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Jake O'Brien
-
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, Dr Pradeep Dewapriya
-
Doctor Philosophy
Comprehensive characterisation of the human PFAS exposome
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Ian Wood, Dr Jake O'Brien, Associate Professor Sarit Kaserzon, Dr Pradeep Dewapriya
-
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
Emerging contaminants in Food Organics and Garden Organic (FOGO) materials
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Sara Ghorbani Gorji, Associate Professor Sarit Kaserzon
-
Doctor Philosophy
Estimating use of tobacco and nicotine products through wastewater analysis
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Jochen Mueller, Dr Jake O'Brien, Dr Ben Tscharke, Associate Professor Phong Thai
-
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
Human exposure and accumulation of plastics
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Cassie 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
The suitability of wastewater-based epidemiology for AMR surveillance
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Jake O'Brien
-
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 Cassie 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 Cassie Rauert
-
Doctor Philosophy
Development of passive sampling methodologies for per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Jochen Mueller, Dr Sara Ghorbani Gorji, Associate Professor Sarit Kaserzon
-
Doctor Philosophy
Developing strategies to tackle pollution from per- and poly-fluorinated chemicals (PFAS) in the environment
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Sara Ghorbani Gorji, Associate Professor Sarit Kaserzon
-
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 Cassie Rauert
-
Doctor Philosophy
Developing strategies to tackle pollution from per- and poly-fluorinated chemicals (PFAS) in the environment
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Sara Ghorbani Gorji, 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
Human exposure and fate of micro/nanoplastics
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Cassie Rauert, Dr Taskeen Janjua Khan
-
Doctor Philosophy
Non-Targeted High-Resolution Mass Spectrometric Characterisation of Highly Mobile and Highly Persistent Chemicals
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Elvis Okoffo, Dr Cassie Rauert, Dr Jake O'Brien
-
Doctor Philosophy
Reducing glyphosate exposure from high use practices
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Fisher Wang, Dr Sara Ghorbani Gorji, Professor Bhagirath Chauhan, 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
-
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
-
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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