Professor Kevin Thomas
Professor

Kevin Thomas

Email: 
Phone: 
+61 7 344 32443

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

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

387 works between 1995 and 2025
All (387) Journal Article (347) Book Chapter (10) Conference Publication (25) Other Outputs (5)

81 - 100 of 387 works

2022

Journal Article

The NORMAN Suspect List Exchange (NORMAN-SLE): facilitating European and worldwide collaboration on suspect screening in high resolution mass spectrometry

Mohammed Taha, Hiba, Aalizadeh, Reza, Alygizakis, Nikiforos, Antignac, Jean-Philippe, Arp, Hans Peter H., Bade, Richard, Baker, Nancy, Belova, Lidia, Bijlsma, Lubertus, Bolton, Evan E., Brack, Werner, Celma, Alberto, Chen, Wen-Ling, Cheng, Tiejun, Chirsir, Parviel, Čirka, Ľuboš, D’Agostino, Lisa A., Djoumbou Feunang, Yannick, Dulio, Valeria, Fischer, Stellan, Gago-Ferrero, Pablo, Galani, Aikaterini, Geueke, Birgit, Głowacka, Natalia, Glüge, Juliane, Groh, Ksenia, Grosse, Sylvia, Haglund, Peter, Hakkinen, Pertti J. ... Schymanski, Emma L. (2022). The NORMAN Suspect List Exchange (NORMAN-SLE): facilitating European and worldwide collaboration on suspect screening in high resolution mass spectrometry. Environmental Sciences Europe, 34 (1) 104, 104. doi: 10.1186/s12302-022-00680-6

The NORMAN Suspect List Exchange (NORMAN-SLE): facilitating European and worldwide collaboration on suspect screening in high resolution mass spectrometry

2022

Journal Article

Refining the estimation of amphetamine consumption by wastewater-based epidemiology

Gao, Jianfa, Burgard, Daniel A., Tscharke, Benjamin J., Lai, Foon Yin, O'Brien, Jake W., Nguyen, Hien D., Zheng, Qiuda, Li, Jiaying, Du, Peng, Li, Xiqing, Wang, Degao, Castiglioni, Sara, Cruz-Cruz, Copytzy, Baz-Lomba, Jose Antonio, Yargeau, Viviane, Emke, Erik, Thomas, Kevin V., Mueller, Jochen F. and Thai, Phong K. (2022). Refining the estimation of amphetamine consumption by wastewater-based epidemiology. Water Research, 225 119182, 1-8. doi: 10.1016/j.watres.2022.119182

Refining the estimation of amphetamine consumption by wastewater-based epidemiology

2022

Journal Article

Identification and quantification of micro-bioplastics in environmental samples by pyrolysis–gas chromatography–mass spectrometry

Okoffo, Elvis D., Chan, Clement Matthew, Rauert, Cassandra, Kaserzon, Sarit and Thomas, Kevin V. (2022). Identification and quantification of micro-bioplastics in environmental samples by pyrolysis–gas chromatography–mass spectrometry. Environmental Science and Technology, 56 (19), 13774-13785. doi: 10.1021/acs.est.2c04091

Identification and quantification of micro-bioplastics in environmental samples by pyrolysis–gas chromatography–mass spectrometry

2022

Journal Article

Young population consume twice as much artificial sweetener than the general population – a wastewater-based assessment in China

Li, Dandan, Zheng, Qiuda, Wang, Zhe, Ren, Yuan, Thomas, Kevin V. and Thai, Phong K. (2022). Young population consume twice as much artificial sweetener than the general population – a wastewater-based assessment in China. Science of the Total Environment, 839 156200, 156200. doi: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.156200

Young population consume twice as much artificial sweetener than the general population – a wastewater-based assessment in China

2022

Journal Article

Socioeconomic status and public health in Australia: A wastewater-based study

Rousis, Nikolaos I., Li, Zhe, Bade, Richard, McLachlan, Michael S., Mueller, Jochen F., O'Brien, Jake W., Samanipour, Saer, Tscharke, Benjamin J., Thomaidis, Nikolaos S. and Thomas, Kevin V. (2022). Socioeconomic status and public health in Australia: A wastewater-based study. Environment International, 167 107436, 107436. doi: 10.1016/j.envint.2022.107436

Socioeconomic status and public health in Australia: A wastewater-based study

2022

Conference Publication

Prevalence and emergence of steroidal and non-steroidal anabolic agents in the Australian community measured through wastewater analysis

Shimko, Katja M., O’Brien, Jake W., Tscharke, Benjamin J., Brooker, Lance, Goebel, Catrin, Shiels, Ryan, Speers, Noami, Mueller, Jochen F. and Thomas, Kevin V. (2022). Prevalence and emergence of steroidal and non-steroidal anabolic agents in the Australian community measured through wastewater analysis. 30th meeting of SFTA - 59th meeting of TIAFT, Versailles, France, 5-8 September 2022. Issy les Moulineaux, France: Elsevier Masson. doi: 10.1016/j.toxac.2022.06.010

Prevalence and emergence of steroidal and non-steroidal anabolic agents in the Australian community measured through wastewater analysis

2022

Journal Article

Semiquantitative characterization of bromo-chloro paraffins and olefins in the Australian environment

He, Chang, van Mourik, Louise, Brandsma, Sicco, Thai, Phong, Wang, Xianyu, Chen, Shuo, Thomas, Kevin V. and Mueller, Jochen F. (2022). Semiquantitative characterization of bromo-chloro paraffins and olefins in the Australian environment. Environmental Science and Technology, 56 (17), 12452-12459. doi: 10.1021/acs.est.2c03576

Semiquantitative characterization of bromo-chloro paraffins and olefins in the Australian environment

2022

Journal Article

Urea hydrolysis and long-term storage of source-separated urine for reuse as fertiliser is insufficient for the removal of anthropogenic micropollutants

Monetti, Juliette, Nieradzik, Ludwika, Freguia, Stefano, Choi, Phil M., O'Brien, Jake W., Thomas, Kevin V. and Ledezma, Pablo (2022). Urea hydrolysis and long-term storage of source-separated urine for reuse as fertiliser is insufficient for the removal of anthropogenic micropollutants. Water Research, 222 118891, 1-10. doi: 10.1016/j.watres.2022.118891

Urea hydrolysis and long-term storage of source-separated urine for reuse as fertiliser is insufficient for the removal of anthropogenic micropollutants

2022

Journal Article

Monitoring of SARS-CoV-2 in sewersheds with low COVID-19 cases using a passive sampling technique

Li, Jiaying, Ahmed, Warish, Metcalfe, Suzanne, Smith, Wendy J.M., Tscharke, Ben, Lynch, Peter, Sherman, Paul, Vo, Phong H.N., Kaserzon, Sarit L., Simpson, Stuart L., McCarthy, David T., Thomas, Kevin V., Mueller, Jochen F. and Thai, Phong (2022). Monitoring of SARS-CoV-2 in sewersheds with low COVID-19 cases using a passive sampling technique. Water Research, 218 118481, 1-10. doi: 10.1016/j.watres.2022.118481

Monitoring of SARS-CoV-2 in sewersheds with low COVID-19 cases using a passive sampling technique

2022

Journal Article

Occurrence of tire and road wear particles in urban and peri-urban snowbanks, and their potential environmental implications

Rødland, Elisabeth S., Lind, Ole Christian, Reid, Malcolm J., Heier, Lene S., Okoffo, Elvis D., Rauert, Cassandra, Thomas, Kevin V. and Meland, Sondre (2022). Occurrence of tire and road wear particles in urban and peri-urban snowbanks, and their potential environmental implications. Science of The Total Environment, 824 153785, 1-11. doi: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.153785

Occurrence of tire and road wear particles in urban and peri-urban snowbanks, and their potential environmental implications

2022

Journal Article

The message on the bottle: rethinking plastic labelling to better encourage sustainable use

Burrows, Stephen D., Ribeiro, Francisca, O'Brien, Stacey, Okoffo, Elvis, Toapanta, Tania, Charlton, Nathan, Kaserzon, Sarit, Lin, Chun-Yin, Tang, Cheng, Rauert, Cassandra, Wang, Xianyu, Shimko, Katja, O'Brien, Jake, Townsend, Piers A., Grayson, Matthew N., Galloway, Tamara and Thomas, Kevin V. (2022). The message on the bottle: rethinking plastic labelling to better encourage sustainable use. Environmental Science and Policy, 132, 109-118. doi: 10.1016/j.envsci.2022.02.015

The message on the bottle: rethinking plastic labelling to better encourage sustainable use

2022

Journal Article

Communicating confidence of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substance identification via high-resolution mass spectrometry

Charbonnet, Joseph A., McDonough, Carrie A., Xiao, Feng, Schwichtenberg, Trever, Cao, Dunping, Kaserzon, Sarit, Thomas, Kevin V., Dewapriya, Pradeep, Place, Benjamin J., Schymanski, Emma L., Field, Jennifer A., Helbling, Damian E. and Higgins, Christopher P. (2022). Communicating confidence of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substance identification via high-resolution mass spectrometry. Environmental Science and Technology Letters, 9 (6), 473-481. doi: 10.1021/acs.estlett.2c00206

Communicating confidence of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substance identification via high-resolution mass spectrometry

2022

Journal Article

Detection of the Omicron (B.1.1.529) variant of SARS-CoV-2 in aircraft wastewater

Ahmed, Warish, Bivins, Aaron, Smith, Wendy J.M., Metcalfe, Suzanne, Stephens, Mikayla, Jennison, Amy V., Moore, Frederick A.J., Bourke, Jayden, Schlebusch, Sanmarie, McMahon, Jamie, Hewitson, Glen, Nguyen, Son, Barcelon, Jean, Jackson, Greg, Mueller, Jochen F., Ehret, John, Hosegood, Ian, Tian, Wei, Wang, Haofei, Yang, Lin, Bertsch, Paul M., Tynan, Josh, Thomas, Kevin V., Bibby, Kyle, Graber, Tyson E., Ziels, Ryan and Simpson, Stuart L. (2022). Detection of the Omicron (B.1.1.529) variant of SARS-CoV-2 in aircraft wastewater. Science of the Total Environment, 820 153171, 1-8. doi: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.153171

Detection of the Omicron (B.1.1.529) variant of SARS-CoV-2 in aircraft wastewater

2022

Journal Article

A nationwide wastewater-based assessment of metformin consumption across Australia

Yang, Dan, Zheng, Qiuda, Thai, Phong, Ahmed, Fahad, O'Brien, Jake W., Mueller, Jochen F., Thomas, Kevin V. and Tscharke, Ben (2022). A nationwide wastewater-based assessment of metformin consumption across Australia. Environment International, 165 107282, 107282. doi: 10.1016/j.envint.2022.107282

A nationwide wastewater-based assessment of metformin consumption across Australia

2022

Journal Article

Direct injection analysis of oxypurinol and metformin in wastewater by hydrophilic interaction liquid chromatography coupled to tandem mass spectrometry

Zheng, Qiuda, Dewapriya, Pradeep, Eaglesham, Geoff, Reeks, Tim, Thompson, Jack, Ahmed, Fahad, Prasad, Pritesh, Thomas, Kevin V., Mueller, Jochen F. and Thai, Phong K. (2022). Direct injection analysis of oxypurinol and metformin in wastewater by hydrophilic interaction liquid chromatography coupled to tandem mass spectrometry. Drug Testing and Analysis, 14 (8), 1519-1524. doi: 10.1002/dta.3266

Direct injection analysis of oxypurinol and metformin in wastewater by hydrophilic interaction liquid chromatography coupled to tandem mass spectrometry

2022

Journal Article

Does size matter? Quantification of plastics associated with size fractionated biosolids

Okoffo, Elvis D., O'Brien, Stacey, O'Brien, Jake W., Tscharke, Benjamin J., Rauert, Cassandra, Rødland, Elisabeth S., Ribeiro, Francisca, Burrows, Stephen D., Toapanta, Tania, Mueller, Jochen F. and Thomas, Kevin V. (2022). Does size matter? Quantification of plastics associated with size fractionated biosolids. Science of The Total Environment, 811 152382, 152382. doi: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2021.152382

Does size matter? Quantification of plastics associated with size fractionated biosolids

2022

Journal Article

One planet: one health. A call to support the initiative on a global science–policy body on chemicals and waste

Brack, Werner, Barcelo Culleres, Damia, Boxall, Alistair B. A., Budzinski, Hélène, Castiglioni, Sara, Covaci, Adrian, Dulio, Valeria, Escher, Beate I., Fantke, Peter, Kandie, Faith, Fatta-Kassinos, Despo, Hernández, Félix J., Hilscherová, Klara, Hollender, Juliane, Hollert, Henner, Jahnke, Annika, Kasprzyk-Hordern, Barbara, Khan, Stuart J., Kortenkamp, Andreas, Kümmerer, Klaus, Lalonde, Brice, Lamoree, Marja H., Levi, Yves, Lara Martín, Pablo Antonio, Montagner, Cassiana C., Mougin, Christian, Msagati, Titus, Oehlmann, Jörg, Posthuma, Leo ... Zuccato, Ettore (2022). One planet: one health. A call to support the initiative on a global science–policy body on chemicals and waste. Environmental Sciences Europe, 34 (1) 21, 21. doi: 10.1186/s12302-022-00602-6

One planet: one health. A call to support the initiative on a global science–policy body on chemicals and waste

2022

Journal Article

In situ calibration of passive samplers for viruses in wastewater

Li, Jiaying, Verhagen, Rory, Ahmed, Warish, Metcalfe, Suzanne, Thai, Phong K., Kaserzon, Sarit L., Smith, Wendy J. M., Schang, Christelle, Simpson, Stuart L., Thomas, Kevin V., Mueller, Jochen F. and Mccarthy, David (2022). In situ calibration of passive samplers for viruses in wastewater. ACS ES&T Water, 2 (11) acsestwater.1c00406, 1881-1890. doi: 10.1021/acsestwater.1c00406

In situ calibration of passive samplers for viruses in wastewater

2022

Journal Article

Phthalate esters in face masks and associated inhalation exposure risk

Wang, Xianyu, Okoffo, Elvis D., Banks, Andrew P. W., Li, Yan, Thomas, Kevin V., Rauert, Cassandra, Aylward, Lesa L. and Mueller, Jochen F. (2022). Phthalate esters in face masks and associated inhalation exposure risk. Journal of Hazardous Materials, 423 (Pt A) 127001, 1-9. doi: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2021.127001

Phthalate esters in face masks and associated inhalation exposure risk

2022

Journal Article

A novel method for the quantification of tire and polymer-modified bitumen particles in environmental samples by pyrolysis gas chromatography mass spectroscopy

Rødland, Elisabeth S., Samanipour, Saer, Rauert, Cassandra, Okoffo, Elvis D., Reid, Malcom J., Heier, Lene S., Lind, Ole Christian, Thomas, Kevin V. and Meland, Sondre (2022). A novel method for the quantification of tire and polymer-modified bitumen particles in environmental samples by pyrolysis gas chromatography mass spectroscopy. Journal of Hazardous Materials, 423 (Pt A) 127092, 127092. doi: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2021.127092

A novel method for the quantification of tire and polymer-modified bitumen particles in environmental samples by pyrolysis gas chromatography mass spectroscopy

Current 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
  • 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
  • 2022 - 2027
    ARC Training Centre in Bioplastics and Biocomposites
    ARC Industrial Transformation Training Centres
    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
  • 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

Past funding

  • 2024
    Microplastics in drinking water
    Minderoo Foundation Limited
    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 - 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

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

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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communications@uq.edu.au