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

431 works between 1995 and 2026
All (431) Journal Article (385) Other Outputs (5) Conference Publication (30) Book Chapter (11)

401 - 420 of 431 works

2006

Journal Article

The occurrence of selected pharmaceuticals in wastewater effluent and surface waters of the lower Tyne catchment

Roberts, Paul H. and Thomas, Kevin V. (2006). The occurrence of selected pharmaceuticals in wastewater effluent and surface waters of the lower Tyne catchment. Science of the Total Environment, 356 (1-3), 143-153. doi: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2005.04.031

The occurrence of selected pharmaceuticals in wastewater effluent and surface waters of the lower Tyne catchment

2005

Journal Article

The stable aryl hydrocarbon receptor agonist potency of United Kingdom Continental Shelf (UKCS) offshore produced water effluents

Hurst, Mark R., Chan-Man, Yin L., Balaam, Jan, Thain, John E. and Thomas, Kevin V. (2005). The stable aryl hydrocarbon receptor agonist potency of United Kingdom Continental Shelf (UKCS) offshore produced water effluents. Marine Pollution Bulletin, 50 (12), 1694-1698. doi: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2005.07.009

The stable aryl hydrocarbon receptor agonist potency of United Kingdom Continental Shelf (UKCS) offshore produced water effluents

2005

Journal Article

MODELKEY. Models for assessing and forecasting the impact of environmental key pollutants on freshwater and marine ecosystems and biodiversity

Brack, Werner, Bakker, Joop, De Deckere, Eric, Deerenberg, Charlotte, Van Gils, Jos, Hein, Michaela, Jurajda, Pavel, Kooijman, Bas, Lamoree, Marja, Lek, Sovan, López De Alda, Maria Jose, Marcomini, Antonio, Muñoz, Isabel, Rattei, Silke, Segner, Helmut, Thomas, Kevin, Von Der Ohe, Peter Carsten, Westrich, Bernhard, De Zwart, Dick and Schmitt-Jansen, Mechthild (2005). MODELKEY. Models for assessing and forecasting the impact of environmental key pollutants on freshwater and marine ecosystems and biodiversity. Environmental Science and Pollution Research, 12 (5), 252-256. doi: 10.1065/espr2005.08.286

MODELKEY. Models for assessing and forecasting the impact of environmental key pollutants on freshwater and marine ecosystems and biodiversity

2004

Conference Publication

The development of a solid phase extraction (SPE) system for environmental monitoring

Dyer, R. A., Balaam, J. L. and Thomas, K. V. (2004). The development of a solid phase extraction (SPE) system for environmental monitoring. Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers Inc.. doi: 10.1109/BALTIC.2004.7296805

The development of a solid phase extraction (SPE) system for environmental monitoring

2004

Journal Article

Determination of dioxin and dioxin-like compounds in sediments from UK estuaries using a bio-analytical approach: Chemical-activated luciferase expression (CALUX) assay

Hurst, Mark R., Balaam, Jan, Chan-Man, Yin L., Thain, John E. and Thomas, Kevin V. (2004). Determination of dioxin and dioxin-like compounds in sediments from UK estuaries using a bio-analytical approach: Chemical-activated luciferase expression (CALUX) assay. Marine Pollution Bulletin, 49 (7-8), 648-658. doi: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2004.04.012

Determination of dioxin and dioxin-like compounds in sediments from UK estuaries using a bio-analytical approach: Chemical-activated luciferase expression (CALUX) assay

2004

Journal Article

Investigating the environmental transport of human pharmaceuticals to streams in the United Kingdom

Ashton, D, Hilton, M and Thomas, KV (2004). Investigating the environmental transport of human pharmaceuticals to streams in the United Kingdom. Science of the Total Environment, 333 (1-3), 167-184. doi: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2004.04.062

Investigating the environmental transport of human pharmaceuticals to streams in the United Kingdom

2004

Journal Article

The occurrence of selected human pharmaceutical compounds in UK estuaries

Thomas, Kevin V. and Hilton, Martin J. (2004). The occurrence of selected human pharmaceutical compounds in UK estuaries. Marine Pollution Bulletin, 49 (5-6), 436-444. doi: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2004.02.028

The occurrence of selected human pharmaceutical compounds in UK estuaries

2004

Journal Article

Toxicity reduction evaluation, toxicity identification evaluation and toxicity tracking in direct toxicity assessment

Hutchings, Matt, Johnson, Ian, Hayes, Elaine, Girling, Andrew E., Thain, John, Thomas, Kevin, Benstead, Rachel, Whale, Graham, Wordon, Joy, Maddox, Ruth and Chown, Phillip (2004). Toxicity reduction evaluation, toxicity identification evaluation and toxicity tracking in direct toxicity assessment. Ecotoxicology, 13 (5), 475-484. doi: 10.1023/B:ECTX.0000035297.90620.73

Toxicity reduction evaluation, toxicity identification evaluation and toxicity tracking in direct toxicity assessment

2004

Journal Article

Bio-analytical and chemical characterisation of offshore produced water effluents for estrogen receptor (ER) agonists

Thomas, Kevin V., Balaam, Jan, Hurst, Mark R. and Thain, John E. (2004). Bio-analytical and chemical characterisation of offshore produced water effluents for estrogen receptor (ER) agonists. Journal of Environmental Monitoring, 6 (7), 593-598. doi: 10.1039/b315003h

Bio-analytical and chemical characterisation of offshore produced water effluents for estrogen receptor (ER) agonists

2004

Conference Publication

Identification of in vitro estrogen and androgen receptor agonists in North Sea offshore produced water discharges

Thomas, Kevin V., Balaam, Jan, Hurst, Mark R. and Thain, John E. (2004). Identification of in vitro estrogen and androgen receptor agonists in North Sea offshore produced water discharges. doi: 10.1897/03-239

Identification of in vitro estrogen and androgen receptor agonists in North Sea offshore produced water discharges

2004

Journal Article

Surveys of plasma vitellogenin and intersex in male flounder (Platichthys flesus) as measures of endocrine disruption by estrogenic contamination in United Kingdom estuaries: Temporal trends, 1996 to 2001

Kirby, Mark F., Allen, Yvonne T., Dyer, Robert A., Feist, Steve W., Katsiadaki, Ioanna, Matthiessen, Peter, Scott, Alex P., Smith, Andrew, Stentiford, Grant D., Thain, John E., Thomas, Kevin V., Tolhurst, Laura and Waldock, Michael J. (2004). Surveys of plasma vitellogenin and intersex in male flounder (Platichthys flesus) as measures of endocrine disruption by estrogenic contamination in United Kingdom estuaries: Temporal trends, 1996 to 2001. Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry, 23 (3), 748-758. doi: 10.1897/03-166

Surveys of plasma vitellogenin and intersex in male flounder (Platichthys flesus) as measures of endocrine disruption by estrogenic contamination in United Kingdom estuaries: Temporal trends, 1996 to 2001

2004

Journal Article

Potency and characterization of estrogen-receptor agonists in united kingdom estuarine sediments

Thomas, Kevin V., Balaam, Jan, Hurst, Mark, Nedyalkova, Zoya and Mekenyan, Ovanes (2004). Potency and characterization of estrogen-receptor agonists in united kingdom estuarine sediments. Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry, 23 (2), 471-479. doi: 10.1897/03-163

Potency and characterization of estrogen-receptor agonists in united kingdom estuarine sediments

2004

Journal Article

A review of factors affecting the release and bioavailability of contaminants during sediment disturbance events

Eggleton, Jacqueline and Thomas, Kevin V. (2004). A review of factors affecting the release and bioavailability of contaminants during sediment disturbance events. Environment International, 30 (7), 973-980. doi: 10.1016/j.envint.2004.03.001

A review of factors affecting the release and bioavailability of contaminants during sediment disturbance events

2003

Journal Article

Determination of selected human pharmaceutical compounds in effluent and surface water samples by high-performance liquid chromatography-electrospray tandem mass spectrometry

Hilton, Martin J. and Thomas, Kevin V. (2003). Determination of selected human pharmaceutical compounds in effluent and surface water samples by high-performance liquid chromatography-electrospray tandem mass spectrometry. Journal of Chromatography A, 1015 (1-2), 129-141. doi: 10.1016/S0021-9673(03)01213-5

Determination of selected human pharmaceutical compounds in effluent and surface water samples by high-performance liquid chromatography-electrospray tandem mass spectrometry

2003

Journal Article

Increased persistence of antifouling paint biocides when associated with paint particles

Thomas, Kevin V., McHugh, Mathew, Hilton, Martin and Waldock, Mike (2003). Increased persistence of antifouling paint biocides when associated with paint particles. Environmental Pollution, 123 (1), 153-161. doi: 10.1016/S0269-7491(02)00343-3

Increased persistence of antifouling paint biocides when associated with paint particles

2003

Journal Article

Toxicity characterisation of sediment porewaters collected from UK estuaries using a Tisbe battagliai bioassay

Thomas, Kevin V., Barnard, Nicola, Collins, Katrina and Eggleton, Jacqueline (2003). Toxicity characterisation of sediment porewaters collected from UK estuaries using a Tisbe battagliai bioassay. Chemosphere, 53 (9), 1105-1111. doi: 10.1016/S0045-6535(03)00611-8

Toxicity characterisation of sediment porewaters collected from UK estuaries using a Tisbe battagliai bioassay

2002

Conference Publication

The impact of oestrogenic and androgenic contamination on marine organisms in the United Kingdom - Summary of the EDMAR programme

Matthiessen, Peter, Allen, Yvonne, Bamber, Shaw, Craft, John, Hurst, Mark, Hutchinson, Tom, Feist, Steve, Katsiadaki, Ioanna, Kirby, Mark, Robinson, Craig, Scott, Sandy, Thain, John and Thomas, Kevin (2002). The impact of oestrogenic and androgenic contamination on marine organisms in the United Kingdom - Summary of the EDMAR programme. 11th International Symposium on Pollutant Responses in Marine Organisms (PRIMO 11), Plymouth England, Jul 10-13, 2001. London: ELSEVIER SCI LTD. doi: 10.1016/S0141-1136(02)00135-6

The impact of oestrogenic and androgenic contamination on marine organisms in the United Kingdom - Summary of the EDMAR programme

2002

Journal Article

Antifouling paint booster biocides in UK coastal waters: Inputs, occurrence and environmental fate

Thomas, Kevin V., McHugh, Mathew and Waldock, Mike (2002). Antifouling paint booster biocides in UK coastal waters: Inputs, occurrence and environmental fate. Science of the Total Environment, 293 (1-3), 117-127. doi: 10.1016/S0048-9697(01)01153-6

Antifouling paint booster biocides in UK coastal waters: Inputs, occurrence and environmental fate

2002

Journal Article

An assessment of in vitro androgenic activity and the identification of environmental androgens in United Kingdom estuaries

Thomas, Kevin V., Hurst, Mark R., Matthiessen, Peter, McHugh, Mathew, Smith, Andy and Waldock, Michael J. (2002). An assessment of in vitro androgenic activity and the identification of environmental androgens in United Kingdom estuaries. Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry, 21 (7), 1456-1461. doi: 10.1002/etc.5620210717

An assessment of in vitro androgenic activity and the identification of environmental androgens in United Kingdom estuaries

2002

Journal Article

Characterisation of potentially genotoxic compounds in sediments collected from United Kingdom estuaries

Thomas, Kevin V., Balaam, Jan, Barnard, Nicola, Dyer, Robert, Jones, Claire, Lavender, Jacqueline and McHugh, Mathew (2002). Characterisation of potentially genotoxic compounds in sediments collected from United Kingdom estuaries. Chemosphere, 49 (3), 247-258. doi: 10.1016/S0045-6535(02)00316-8

Characterisation of potentially genotoxic compounds in sediments collected from United Kingdom estuaries

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

    Understanding emerging contaminants and metabolomic responses in Australian seabird species

    Principal Advisor

    Other advisors: Associate Professor Sarit Kaserzon, Dr Fisher Wang

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Assessing dietary exposure to nanoplastics and microplastics

    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

    Assessing microplastic inputs from ships

    Principal Advisor

    Other advisors: Dr Elvis Okoffo, 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

    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 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

    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

    AMR in food producing environments (Ref: 5529)

    Associate Advisor

    Other advisors: Dr Jake O'Brien

  • 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

    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

    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 and fate of micro/nanoplastics

    Associate Advisor

    Other advisors: Dr Taskeen Janjua Khan, Dr Cassandra Rauert

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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