Overview
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
Qualifications
- Doctor of Philosophy, Plymouth University
- Doctoral Diploma of Science (Advanced), Plymouth University
Works
Search Professor Kevin Thomas’s works on UQ eSpace
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
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
2022
Conference Publication
Cross-site in-situ calibration and validation of a microporous polyethylene (MPT) passive sampler for monitoring per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) in wastewater
Mackie, Rachel, Gorji, Sara Ghorbani, Hawker, Darryl, Booji, Kees, Bowles, Karl, Higgins, Christopher, Mueller, Jochen, Thomas, Kevin and Kaserzon, Sarit (2022). Cross-site in-situ calibration and validation of a microporous polyethylene (MPT) passive sampler for monitoring per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) in wastewater. 13th International Passive Sampling Workshop Hybrid, Utrecht, Netherlands, 18 - 20 September 2022.
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
Funding
Current funding
Supervision
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
-
2026
Doctor Philosophy
Microplastic Pollution in Water Systems: Issues and Treatment
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Elvis Okoffo
-
2025
Doctor Philosophy
Exploring antimicrobial resistance in Australian wastewater
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Jake O'Brien, Professor Jianhua Guo
-
2025
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 Cassandra Rauert
-
2025
Doctor Philosophy
Antibiotics and other chemicals that select for antimicrobial resistance in Australian wastewater
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Jake O'Brien
-
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, 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
-
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
-
2025
Doctor Philosophy
Fate and behaviour of neonicotinoids in Australian aquatic environments
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Associate Professor Sarit Kaserzon
-
2025
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, Dr Ben Tscharke, Associate Professor Phong Thai
-
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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