Professor Kevin Thomas
Professor

Kevin Thomas

Email: 
Phone: 
+61 7 344 32443

Background

Professor Kevin Thomas is an internationally recognised environmental health scientist and Director of the Queensland Alliance for Environmental Health Sciences (QAEHS) at The University of Queensland. He leads cutting-edge research aimed at understanding how environmental contaminants of emerging concern (CECs) affect both ecosystems and human health, with a strong focus on translating science into real-world protection and policy impact. He also leads the Minderoo Centre– Plastics and Human Health at UQ and serves as QLD Node Leader and Deputy Director of the ARC Industrial Transformation Training Centre for Hyphenated Analytical Separation Technologies (HyTech), where he helps drive innovation in advanced chemical analysis and environmental monitoring. Kevin’s research sits at the intersection of environmental chemistry, analytical science, and environmental health. He is particularly known for his work on human exposure to plastic pollution, developing state-of-the-art mass spectrometric methods to detect and characterise plastics and other emerging contaminants. His work is also reshaping how population health is studied through wastewater-based epidemiology, providing a powerful lens into community-wide exposure and health trends. Beyond traditional sampling methods, Kevin is pioneering novel exposure monitoring approaches—including the use of explanted silicone prostheses and wearable wristbands—to better understand how contaminants interact with the human body in everyday life. Through this work, he is helping redefine how environmental exposure is measured and understood, bridging advanced analytical chemistry with urgent global health challenges.

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

429 works between 1995 and 2026
All (429) Journal Article (383) Other Outputs (5) Conference Publication (30) Book Chapter (11)

361 - 380 of 429 works

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

Cytotoxicity of atorvastatin and simvastatin on primary rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) hepatocytes

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

Diurnal variations in the occurrence and the fate of hormones and antibiotics in activated sludge wastewater treatment in Oslo, Norway

2010

Journal Article

The environmental fate and effects of antifouling paint biocides

Thomas, K. V. and Brooks, S. (2010). The environmental fate and effects of antifouling paint biocides. Biofouling, 26 (1), 73-88. doi: 10.1080/08927010903216564

The environmental fate and effects of antifouling paint biocides

2010

Journal Article

Effects of silver and gold nanoparticles on rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) hepatocytes

Farkas, Julia, Christian, Paul, Urrea, Julian Alberto Gallego, Roos, Norbert, Hassellov, Martin, Tollefsen, Knut Erik and Thomas, Kevin V. (2010). Effects of silver and gold nanoparticles on rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) hepatocytes. Aquatic Toxicology, 96 (1), 44-52. doi: 10.1016/j.aquatox.2009.09.016

Effects of silver and gold nanoparticles on rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) hepatocytes

2010

Journal Article

Impacts of competitive inhibition, parent compound formation and partitioning behavior on the removal of antibiotics in municipal wastewater treatment

Plosz, Benedek Gy., Leknes, Henriette and Thomas, Kevin V. (2010). Impacts of competitive inhibition, parent compound formation and partitioning behavior on the removal of antibiotics in municipal wastewater treatment. Environmental Science & Technology, 44 (2), 734-742. doi: 10.1021/es902264w

Impacts of competitive inhibition, parent compound formation and partitioning behavior on the removal of antibiotics in municipal wastewater treatment

2009

Book Chapter

Europe and USA

Thomas, Kevin V. and Langford, Katherine H. (2009). Europe and USA. Ecotoxicology of Antifouling Biocides. (pp. 331-344) Tokyo: Springer Japan. doi: 10.1007/978-4-431-85709-9_19

Europe and USA

2009

Book Chapter

The analysis of antifouling paint biocides in water, sediment and biota

Thomas, Kevin V. and Langford, Katherine H. (2009). The analysis of antifouling paint biocides in water, sediment and biota. Ecotoxicology of Antifouling Biocides. (pp. 311-327) Tokyo: Springer Japan. doi: 10.1007/978-4-431-85709-9_18

The analysis of antifouling paint biocides in water, sediment and biota

2009

Journal Article

Effect-directed identification of naphthenic acids as important in vitro xeno-estrogens and anti-androgens in North Sea offshore produced water discharges

Thomas, K. V., Langford, K., Petersen, K., Smith, A. J. and Tollefsen, K. E. (2009). Effect-directed identification of naphthenic acids as important in vitro xeno-estrogens and anti-androgens in North Sea offshore produced water discharges. Environmental Science & Technology, 43 (21), 8066-8071. doi: 10.1021/es9014212

Effect-directed identification of naphthenic acids as important in vitro xeno-estrogens and anti-androgens in North Sea offshore produced water discharges

2009

Journal Article

Small but different effect of fouling on the uptake rates of semipermeable membrane devices and polar organic chemical integrative samplers

Harman, Christopher, Boyum, Olav, Thomas, Kevin V. and Grung, Merete (2009). Small but different effect of fouling on the uptake rates of semipermeable membrane devices and polar organic chemical integrative samplers. Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry, 28 (11), 2324-2332. doi: 10.1897/09-090.S1

Small but different effect of fouling on the uptake rates of semipermeable membrane devices and polar organic chemical integrative samplers

2009

Conference Publication

Masking effect of anti-androgens on androgenic activity in European river sediment unveiled by effect-directed analysis

Weiss, Jana M., Hamers, Timo, Thomas, Kevin V., van der Linden, Sander, Leonards, Pim E. G. and Lamoree, Marja H. (2009). Masking effect of anti-androgens on androgenic activity in European river sediment unveiled by effect-directed analysis. doi: 10.1007/s00216-009-2807-8

Masking effect of anti-androgens on androgenic activity in European river sediment unveiled by effect-directed analysis

2009

Journal Article

Identification of nonregulated pollutants in north sea-produced water discharges

Balaam, Jan L., Chan-Man, Yin, Roberts, Paul H. and Thomas, Kevin V. (2009). Identification of nonregulated pollutants in north sea-produced water discharges. Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry, 28 (6), 1159-1167. doi: 10.1897/08-488.1

Identification of nonregulated pollutants in north sea-produced water discharges

2009

Journal Article

Ecotoxicity of the degradation products of triphenylborane pyridine (TPBP) antifouling agent

Okamura, H., Kitano, S., Toyota, S., Harino, H. and Thomas, K. V. (2009). Ecotoxicity of the degradation products of triphenylborane pyridine (TPBP) antifouling agent. Chemosphere, 74 (9), 1275-1278. doi: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2008.11.014

Ecotoxicity of the degradation products of triphenylborane pyridine (TPBP) antifouling agent

2009

Journal Article

Determination of pharmaceutical compounds in hospital effluents and their contribution to wastewater treatment works

Langford, Katherine H. and Thomas, Kevin V. (2009). Determination of pharmaceutical compounds in hospital effluents and their contribution to wastewater treatment works. Environment International, 35 (5), 766-770. doi: 10.1016/j.envint.2009.02.007

Determination of pharmaceutical compounds in hospital effluents and their contribution to wastewater treatment works

2009

Journal Article

Relationship between polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) accumulation in semipermeable membrane devices and PAH bile metabolite levels in Atlantic cod (Gadus morhua)

Harman, Christopher, Holth, Tor Fredrik, Hylland, Ketil, Thomas, Kevin and Grung, Merete (2009). Relationship between polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) accumulation in semipermeable membrane devices and PAH bile metabolite levels in Atlantic cod (Gadus morhua). Journal of Toxicology and Environmental Health-Part A-Current Issues, 72 (3-4), 234-243. doi: 10.1080/15287390802539160

Relationship between polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) accumulation in semipermeable membrane devices and PAH bile metabolite levels in Atlantic cod (Gadus morhua)

2009

Book Chapter

The use of broad-spectrum organic biocides in marine antifouling paints

Thomas, K. (2009). The use of broad-spectrum organic biocides in marine antifouling paints. Advances in Marine Antifouling Coatings and Technologies. (pp. 522-553) Cambridge, United Kingdom: Elsevier Ltd. doi: 10.1533/9781845696313.3.522

The use of broad-spectrum organic biocides in marine antifouling paints

2009

Journal Article

Monitoring the freely dissolved concentrations of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) and alkylphenols (AP) around a Norwegian oil platform by holistic passive sampling

Harman, Christopher, Thomas, Kevin V., Tollefsen, Knut Erik, Meier, Sonnich, Boyum, Olav and Grung, Merete (2009). Monitoring the freely dissolved concentrations of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) and alkylphenols (AP) around a Norwegian oil platform by holistic passive sampling. Marine Pollution Bulletin, 58 (11), 1671-1679. doi: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2009.06.022

Monitoring the freely dissolved concentrations of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) and alkylphenols (AP) around a Norwegian oil platform by holistic passive sampling

2008

Journal Article

Environmental assessment of Norwegian priority pharmaceuticals based on the EMEA guideline

Grung, Merete, Kallqvist, Torsten, Sakshaug, Solveig, Skurtveit, Svetlana and Thomas, Kevin V. (2008). Environmental assessment of Norwegian priority pharmaceuticals based on the EMEA guideline. Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety, 71 (2), 328-340. doi: 10.1016/j.ecoenv.2007.10.015

Environmental assessment of Norwegian priority pharmaceuticals based on the EMEA guideline

2008

Journal Article

Uptake rates of alkylphenols, PAHs and carbazoles in semipermeable membrane devices (SPMDs) and polar organic chemical integrative samplers (POCIS)

Harman, C., Tollefsen, K-E., Boyum, O., Thomas, K. and Grung, M. (2008). Uptake rates of alkylphenols, PAHs and carbazoles in semipermeable membrane devices (SPMDs) and polar organic chemical integrative samplers (POCIS). Chemosphere, 72 (10), 1510-1516. doi: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2008.04.091

Uptake rates of alkylphenols, PAHs and carbazoles in semipermeable membrane devices (SPMDs) and polar organic chemical integrative samplers (POCIS)

2008

Journal Article

Dissolved organic carbon reduces the toxicity of copper to germlings of the macroalgae, Fucus vesiculosus

Brooks, Steven J., Bolam, Thi, Tolhurst, Laura, Bassett, Janice, La Roche, Jay, Waldock, Mike, Barry, Jon and Thomas, Kevin V. (2008). Dissolved organic carbon reduces the toxicity of copper to germlings of the macroalgae, Fucus vesiculosus. Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety, 70 (1), 88-98. doi: 10.1016/j.ecoenv.2007.04.007

Dissolved organic carbon reduces the toxicity of copper to germlings of the macroalgae, Fucus vesiculosus

2008

Journal Article

Chronic toxicity of the Sava River (SE Europe) sediments and river water to the algae Pseudokirchneriella subcapitata

Kallqvist, Torsten, Milacic, Radmila, Smital, Tvrtko, Thomas, Kevin V., Vranes, Sanja and Tollefsen, Knut-Erik (2008). Chronic toxicity of the Sava River (SE Europe) sediments and river water to the algae Pseudokirchneriella subcapitata. Water Research, 42 (8-9), 2146-2156. doi: 10.1016/j.watres.2007.11.026

Chronic toxicity of the Sava River (SE Europe) sediments and river water to the algae Pseudokirchneriella subcapitata

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

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Cross regional comparison of emerging contaminants in urban catchments

    Principal Advisor

  • 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

    Assessing dietary exposure to nanoplastics and microplastics

    Principal Advisor

    Other advisors: 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

    Human exposure and fate of micro/nanoplastics

    Associate Advisor

    Other advisors: Dr Taskeen Janjua Khan, Dr Cassandra Rauert

  • 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

    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

    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

    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

    AMR in food producing environments (Ref: 5529)

    Associate Advisor

    Other advisors: Dr Jake O'Brien

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Human exposure and accumulation of plastics

    Associate Advisor

    Other advisors: 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

    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

Completed supervision

Enquiries

Contact Professor Kevin Thomas directly for media enquiries about:

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

Need help?

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