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
2023
Journal Article
Monitoring medication and illicit drug consumption in a prison by wastewater-based epidemiology: impact of COVID-19 restrictions
Wang, Zhe, Mueller, Jochen F., O'Brien, Jake W., Thompson, Jack, Tscharke, Benjamin J., Verhagen, Rory, Zheng, Qiuda, Prichard, Jeremy, Hall, Wayne, Humphreys, Keith, Thomas, Kevin V. and Thai, Phong K. (2023). Monitoring medication and illicit drug consumption in a prison by wastewater-based epidemiology: impact of COVID-19 restrictions. Water Research, 244 120452, 1-8. doi: 10.1016/j.watres.2023.120452
2023
Journal Article
Festivals following the easing of COVID-19 restrictions: prevalence of new psychoactive substances and illicit drugs
Rousis, Nikolaos, Bade, Richard, Romero-Sánchez, Iván, Mueller, Jochen F., Thomaidis, Nikolaos S., Thomas, Kevin V. and Gracia-Lor, Emma (2023). Festivals following the easing of COVID-19 restrictions: prevalence of new psychoactive substances and illicit drugs. Environment International, 178 108075, 1-8. doi: 10.1016/j.envint.2023.108075
2023
Journal Article
Predicted growth in plastics entering biosolids and agricultural lands exceeds efforts to control source emissions
Okoffo, Elvis D., Tscharke, Ben J. and Thomas, Kevin V. (2023). Predicted growth in plastics entering biosolids and agricultural lands exceeds efforts to control source emissions. ACS - ES and T Water, 3 (8), 2238-2246. doi: 10.1021/acsestwater.3c00037
2023
Journal Article
High-resolution mass spectrometric profiling of stormwater in an Australian creek
Dewapriya, Pradeep, Rousis, Nikolaos, Rauert, Cassandra, Thomaidis, Nikolaos S. and Thomas, Kevin V. (2023). High-resolution mass spectrometric profiling of stormwater in an Australian creek. ACS ES and T Water, 3 (8), 2502-2511. doi: 10.1021/acsestwater.3c00119
2023
Journal Article
Characterization and quantification of oxidative stress induced particle debris from polypropylene surgical mesh
Farr, Nicholas T. H., Rauert, Cassandra, Knight, Alexander J., Tartakovskii, Alexander I. and Thomas, Kevin V. (2023). Characterization and quantification of oxidative stress induced particle debris from polypropylene surgical mesh. Nano Select, 4 (6), 395-407. doi: 10.1002/nano.202200243
2023
Journal Article
A world of wastewater-based epidemiology
Singer, Andrew C., Thompson, Janelle R., Filho, César R. Mota, Street, Renée, Li, Xiqing, Castiglioni, Sara and Thomas, Kevin V. (2023). A world of wastewater-based epidemiology. Nature Water, 1 (5) 14, 408-415. doi: 10.1038/s44221-023-00083-8
2023
Journal Article
Calibration of a microporous polyethylene tube passive sampler for polar organic compounds in wastewater effluent
Clokey, Joseph E., Hawker, Darryl W., Verhagen, Rory, Ghorbani Gorji, Sara, Knight, Emma R., Thomas, Kevin V. and Kaserzon, Sarit L. (2023). Calibration of a microporous polyethylene tube passive sampler for polar organic compounds in wastewater effluent. Science of The Total Environment, 874 162497, 1-11. doi: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.162497
2023
Journal Article
Wastewater-based monitoring could help guide responses to the USA opioid epidemic
Ahmed, Fahad, O’Brien, Jake W., Keshaviah, Aparna, Hall, Wayne D., Bade, Richard, Tscharke, Benjamin, Matus, Mariana, Mueller, Jochen F., Thomas, Kevin V. and Burgard, Daniel A. (2023). Wastewater-based monitoring could help guide responses to the USA opioid epidemic. Nature Water, 1 (5), 401-404. doi: 10.1038/s44221-023-00082-9
2023
Journal Article
Improving wastewater-based tobacco use estimates using anabasine
Zheng, Qiuda, Gerber, Cobus, Steadman, Kathryn J., Lin, Chun-Yin, Tscharke, Benjamin J., O’Brien, Jake William, Hobson, Peter, Toms, Leisa-Maree, Mueller, Jochen F., Thomas, Kevin V. and Thai, Phong K. (2023). Improving wastewater-based tobacco use estimates using anabasine. Environmental Science and Technology, 57 (21), 7958-7965. doi: 10.1021/acs.est.3c01510
2023
Journal Article
Wastewater-based epidemiology for the assessment of population exposure to chemicals: the need for integration with human biomonitoring for global One Health actions
Kasprzyk-Hordern, Barbara, Béen, Frederic, Bijlsma, Lubertus, Brack, Werner, Castiglioni, Sara, Covaci, Adrian, Martincigh, Bice S., Mueller, Jochen F., van Nuijs, Alexander L. N., Oluseyi, Temilola and Thomas, Kevin V. (2023). Wastewater-based epidemiology for the assessment of population exposure to chemicals: the need for integration with human biomonitoring for global One Health actions. Journal of Hazardous Materials, 450 131009, 1-6. doi: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2023.131009
2023
Journal Article
A global aircraft-based wastewater genomic surveillance network for early warning of future pandemics
Li, Jiaying, Hosegood, Ian, Powell, David, Tscharke, Ben, Lawler, Jenny, Thomas, Kevin V. and Mueller, Jochen F. (2023). A global aircraft-based wastewater genomic surveillance network for early warning of future pandemics. The Lancet Global Health, 11 (5), e791-e795. doi: 10.1016/S2214-109X(23)00129-8
2023
Journal Article
The use of asthma and allergy medicines is associated with exposure to smoking
Thai, Phong K., Zheng, Qiuda, Phung, Dung, Gartner, Coral, Hall, Wayne, Ren, Yuan, Mueller, Jochen F. and Thomas, Kevin V. (2023). The use of asthma and allergy medicines is associated with exposure to smoking. Nature Water, 1 (5) 16, 443-450. doi: 10.1038/s44221-023-00076-7
2023
Journal Article
Visualization of the distribution of PFOS and PFHxS in concrete by DESI MSI
Vo, Phong H. N., Hamilton, Brett R., Wepf, Roger A., Key, Trent A., Nguyen, Thi Minh Hong, Thai, Phong K., Thomas, Kevin and Mueller, Jochen F. (2023). Visualization of the distribution of PFOS and PFHxS in concrete by DESI MSI. Environmental Science and Technology Letters, 10 (5), 446-451. doi: 10.1021/acs.estlett.3c00211
2023
Journal Article
Use of artificial sweeteners and caffeine in a population of Hanoi: an assessment by wastewater-based epidemiology
Li, Dandan, Zheng, Qiuda, Thomas, Kevin V., Dang, Anh Kim, Binh, Vu Ngan, Anh, Nguyen Thi Kieu and Thai, Phong K. (2023). Use of artificial sweeteners and caffeine in a population of Hanoi: an assessment by wastewater-based epidemiology. Science of The Total Environment, 868 161515, 1-7. doi: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.161515
2023
Journal Article
The measurement of food safety and security risks associated with micro- and nanoplastic pollution
Nelis, Joost L.D., Schacht, Veronika J., Dawson, Amanda L., Bose, Utpal, Tsagkaris, Aristeidis S., Dvorakova, Darina, Beale, David J., Can, Ali, Elliott, Christopher T., Thomas, Kevin V. and Broadbent, James A. (2023). The measurement of food safety and security risks associated with micro- and nanoplastic pollution. TrAC Trends in Analytical Chemistry, 161 116993, 1-21. doi: 10.1016/j.trac.2023.116993
2023
Journal Article
Assessment of background plastics contamination from human respiratory tract sample collection vessels
Okoffo, Elvis D., Rauert, Cassandra, Boots, Robert, Fielding, David, Bashiradeh, Farzard, Singh, Mahendra and Thomas, Kevin V. (2023). Assessment of background plastics contamination from human respiratory tract sample collection vessels. Water Emerging Contaminants and Nanoplastics, 1 (1) 4, 1-9. doi: 10.20517/wecn.2022.22
2023
Journal Article
Wastewater surveillance can function as an early warning system for COVID-19 in low-incidence settings
Assoum, Mohamad, Lau, Colleen L., Thai, Phong K., Ahmed, Warish, Mueller, Jochen F., Thomas, Kevin V., Choi, Phil Min, Jackson, Greg and Selvey, Linda A. (2023). Wastewater surveillance can function as an early warning system for COVID-19 in low-incidence settings. Tropical Medicine and Infectious Disease, 8 (4) 211, 1-10. doi: 10.3390/tropicalmed8040211
2023
Journal Article
Increased nicotine consumption in Australia during the first months of the COVID-19 pandemic
Thai, Phong K, Tscharke, Benjamin J, O’Brien, Jake, Gartner, Coral, Bade, Richard, Gerber, Cobus, White, Jason M, Zheng, Qiuda, Wang, Zhe, Thomas, Kevin V and Mueller, Jochen F (2023). Increased nicotine consumption in Australia during the first months of the COVID-19 pandemic. Nicotine and Tobacco Research, 25 (6), 1194-1197. doi: 10.1093/ntr/ntac275
2023
Journal Article
A wastewater‐based evaluation of the effectiveness of codeine control measures in Australia
Tscharke, Benjamin J., O’Brien, Jake W., Ahmed, Fahad, Ngyuen, Lynn, Ghetia, Maulik, Chan, Gary, Thai, Phong, Gerber, Cobus, Bade, Richard, Mueller, Jochen, Thomas, Kevin V., White, Jason and Hall, Wayne (2023). A wastewater‐based evaluation of the effectiveness of codeine control measures in Australia. Addiction, 118 (3), 480-488. doi: 10.1111/add.16083
2023
Journal Article
Impact of sewer biofilms on fate of SARS-CoV-2 RNA and wastewater surveillance
Li, Jiaying, Ahmed, Warish, Metcalfe, Suzanne, Smith, Wendy J. M., Choi, Phil M., Jackson, Greg, Cen, Xiaotong, Zheng, Min, Simpson, Stuart L., Thomas, Kevin V., Mueller, Jochen F. and Thai, Phong K. (2023). Impact of sewer biofilms on fate of SARS-CoV-2 RNA and wastewater surveillance. Nature Water, 1 (3), 272-280. doi: 10.1038/s44221-023-00033-4
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.
Supervision history
Current supervision
-
Doctor Philosophy
Exploring antimicrobial resistance in Australian wastewater
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Jake O'Brien, Professor Jianhua Guo
-
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 Cassie Rauert
-
Doctor Philosophy
Antibiotics and other chemicals that select for antimicrobial resistance in Australian wastewater
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Jake O'Brien
-
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 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 Cassie Rauert
-
Doctor Philosophy
PM2.5 and plastics pollution in Delhi: Sources, characterization and atmospheric transport modeling
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Cassie 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
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 Cassie Rauert
-
Doctor Philosophy
Emerging contaminants in Food Contact Materials, analysis policy and regulation
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Associate Professor Sarit Kaserzon
-
Doctor Philosophy
Fate and behaviour of neonicotinoids in Australian aquatic environments
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Sara Ghorbani Gorji, Associate Professor Sarit Kaserzon
-
Doctor Philosophy
Human exposure and fate of micro/nanoplastics
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Cassie Rauert, Dr Taskeen Janjua Khan
-
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, Associate Professor Phong Thai
-
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 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
The suitability of wastewater-based epidemiology for AMR surveillance
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Jake O'Brien
-
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
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
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
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
Human exposure and accumulation of plastics
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Cassie Rauert
-
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
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
-
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
-
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
-
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
-
2021
Doctor Philosophy
An assessment of plastic residues in Australian biosolids
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Jochen Mueller, Dr Jake O'Brien
-
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
-
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, 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
Need help?
For help with finding experts, story ideas and media enquiries, contact our Media team: