Dr Jake O'Brien
Dr

Jake O'Brien

Email: 
Phone: 
+61 7 344 32448

Background

Doctor Jake O’Brien is Senior Research Fellow and NHMRC Emerging Leadership Fellow at the Queensland Alliance for Environmental Health Sciences (QAEHS). His main field of interest is in wastewater-based epidemiology, but he also has interest in developing analytical methods for chemicals of emerging concern within biological and environmental samples. Doctor O'Brien is a strong advocate for collaborative research having co-authored with more than 300 collaborators worldwide on over 160 publications. Jake is strongly supportive of early career researcher development and is currently the chair of the EMCR@UQ Committee. He is also a Chief Investigator of the National Wastewater Drug Monitoring Program since its establishment in 2016.

Availability

Dr Jake O'Brien is:
Available for supervision
Media expert

Fields of research

Analytical chemistry Chemical Sciences Disease surveillance Environmental Sciences Epidemiology Health Sciences Pollution and contamination Pollution and contamination not elsewhere classified Social epidemiology

Qualifications

  • Bachelor of Science, The University of Queensland
  • Bachelor (Honours), The University of Queensland
  • Doctor of Philosophy, The University of Queensland

Search Professor Jake O'Brien’s works on UQ eSpace

214 works between 2011 and 2025
All (214) Journal Article (163) Book Chapter (3) Conference Publication (38) Book (1) Other Outputs (9)

101 - 120 of 214 works

2020

Journal Article

Can wastewater analysis be used as a tool to assess the burden of pain treatment within a population?

Ahmed, Fahad, Tscharke, Benjamin, O'Brien, Jake W., Cabot, Peter J., Hall, Wayne D., Mueller, Jochen F. and Thomas, Kevin V. (2020). Can wastewater analysis be used as a tool to assess the burden of pain treatment within a population?. Environmental Research, 188 109769, 109769. doi: 10.1016/j.envres.2020.109769

Can wastewater analysis be used as a tool to assess the burden of pain treatment within a population?

2020

Journal Article

Towards an efficient method for the extraction and analysis of cannabinoids in wastewater

Pandopulos, Aaron J., Bade, Richard, O'Brien, Jake W., Tscharke, Benjamin J., Mueller, Jochen F., Thomas, Kevin, White, Jason M. and Gerber, Cobus (2020). Towards an efficient method for the extraction and analysis of cannabinoids in wastewater. Talanta, 217 121034, 121034. doi: 10.1016/j.talanta.2020.121034

Towards an efficient method for the extraction and analysis of cannabinoids in wastewater

2020

Journal Article

Determining changes in new psychoactive substance use in Australia by wastewater analysis

Bade, Richard, White, Jason M., Nguyen, Lynn, Tscharke, Benjamin J., Mueller, Jochen F., O'Brien, Jake W., Thomas, Kevin V. and Gerber, Cobus (2020). Determining changes in new psychoactive substance use in Australia by wastewater analysis. Science of the Total Environment, 731 139209, 139209. doi: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.139209

Determining changes in new psychoactive substance use in Australia by wastewater analysis

2020

Journal Article

First confirmed detection of SARS-CoV-2 in untreated wastewater in Australia: a proof of concept for the wastewater surveillance of COVID-19 in the community

Ahmed, Warish, Angel, Nicola, Edson, Janette, Bibby, Kyle, Bivins, Aaron, O'Brien, Jake W., Choi, Phil M., Kitajima, Masaaki, Simpson, Stuart L., Li, Jiaying, Tscharke, Ben, Verhagen, Rory, Smith, Wendy J.M., Zaugg, Julian, Dierens, Leanne, Hugenholtz, Philip, Thomas, Kevin V. and Mueller, Jochen F. (2020). First confirmed detection of SARS-CoV-2 in untreated wastewater in Australia: a proof of concept for the wastewater surveillance of COVID-19 in the community. Science of the Total Environment, 728 138764, 138764. doi: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.138764

First confirmed detection of SARS-CoV-2 in untreated wastewater in Australia: a proof of concept for the wastewater surveillance of COVID-19 in the community

2020

Journal Article

Urinary concentrations of bisphenols in the Australian population and their association with the per capita mass loads in wastewater

Tang, Shaoyu, He, Chang, Thai, Phong K., Heffernan, Amy, Vijayasarathy, Soumini, Toms, Leisa, Thompson, Kristie, Hobson, Peter, Tscharke, Benjamin J., O’Brien, Jake W., Thomas, Kevin V. and Mueller, Jochen F. (2020). Urinary concentrations of bisphenols in the Australian population and their association with the per capita mass loads in wastewater. Environmental Science and Technology, 54 (16) acs.est.0c00921, 10141-10148. doi: 10.1021/acs.est.0c00921

Urinary concentrations of bisphenols in the Australian population and their association with the per capita mass loads in wastewater

2020

Journal Article

Quantitative Analysis of Selected Plastics in High-Commercial-Value Australian Seafood by Pyrolysis Gas Chromatography Mass Spectrometry

Ribeiro, Francisca, Okoffo, Elvis D., O'Brien, Jake W., Fraissinet-Tachet, Sarah, O'Brien, Stacey, Gallen, Michael, Samanipour, Saer, Kaserzon, Sarit, Mueller, Jochen F., Galloway, Tamara and Thomas, Kevin V. (2020). Quantitative Analysis of Selected Plastics in High-Commercial-Value Australian Seafood by Pyrolysis Gas Chromatography Mass Spectrometry. Environmental Science & Technology, 54 (15) acs.est.0c02337, 9408-9417. doi: 10.1021/acs.est.0c02337

Quantitative Analysis of Selected Plastics in High-Commercial-Value Australian Seafood by Pyrolysis Gas Chromatography Mass Spectrometry

2020

Journal Article

Population socioeconomics predicted using wastewater

Choi, Phil M., O’Brien, Jake W., Tscharke, Ben J., Mueller, Jochen F., Thomas, Kevin V. and Samanipour, Saer (2020). Population socioeconomics predicted using wastewater. Environmental Science and Technology Letters, 7 (8) acs.estlett.0c00392, 567-572. doi: 10.1021/acs.estlett.0c00392

Population socioeconomics predicted using wastewater

2020

Journal Article

Wastewater-based estimation of the prevalence of gout in Australia

Ahmed, Fahad, Tscharke, Benjamin, O'Brien, Jake, Thompson, Jack, Samanipour, Saer, Choi, Phil, Li, Jiaying, Mueller, Jochen F. and Thomas, Kevin (2020). Wastewater-based estimation of the prevalence of gout in Australia. Science of The Total Environment, 715 136925, 136925. doi: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.136925

Wastewater-based estimation of the prevalence of gout in Australia

2020

Journal Article

Annual release of selected UV filters via effluent from wastewater treatment plants in Australia

O'Malley, Elissa, O'Brien, Jake W., Verhagen, Rory and Mueller, Jochen F. (2020). Annual release of selected UV filters via effluent from wastewater treatment plants in Australia. Chemosphere, 247 125887, 1-7. doi: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2020.125887

Annual release of selected UV filters via effluent from wastewater treatment plants in Australia

2020

Journal Article

Do food and stress biomarkers work for wastewater-based epidemiology? A critical evaluation

Choi, P.M., Bowes, D.A., O'Brien, J.W., Li, J., Halden, R.U., Jiang, G., Thomas, K.V. and Mueller, J.F. (2020). Do food and stress biomarkers work for wastewater-based epidemiology? A critical evaluation. Science of The Total Environment, 736 139654, 139654. doi: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.139654

Do food and stress biomarkers work for wastewater-based epidemiology? A critical evaluation

2020

Journal Article

Identification and quantification of selected plastics in biosolids by pressurized liquid extraction combined with double-shot pyrolysis gas chromatography–mass spectrometry

Okoffo, Elvis D., Ribeiro, Francisca, O'Brien, Jake W., O'Brien, Stacey, Tscharke, Benjamin J., Gallen, Michael, Samanipour, Saer, Mueller, Jochen F. and Thomas, Kevin V. (2020). Identification and quantification of selected plastics in biosolids by pressurized liquid extraction combined with double-shot pyrolysis gas chromatography–mass spectrometry. Science of the Total Environment, 715 136924, 1. doi: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.136924

Identification and quantification of selected plastics in biosolids by pressurized liquid extraction combined with double-shot pyrolysis gas chromatography–mass spectrometry

2020

Journal Article

Concentrations of phthalate metabolites in Australian urine samples and their contribution to the per capita loads in wastewater

Tang, Shaoyu, He, Chang, Thai, Phong, Vijayasarathy, Soumini, Mackie, Rachel, Toms, Leisa-Maree L., Thompson, Kristie, Hobson, Peter, Tscharke, Ben, O'Brien, Jake W. and Mueller, Jochen F. (2020). Concentrations of phthalate metabolites in Australian urine samples and their contribution to the per capita loads in wastewater. Environment International, 137 105534, 105534. doi: 10.1016/j.envint.2020.105534

Concentrations of phthalate metabolites in Australian urine samples and their contribution to the per capita loads in wastewater

2020

Journal Article

Considerations for assessing stability of wastewater-based epidemiology biomarkers using biofilm-free and sewer reactor tests

Choi, Phil Min, Li, Jiaying, Gao, Jianfa, O'Brien, Jake William, Thomas, Kevin Victor, Thai, Phong Khanh, Jiang, Guangming and Mueller, Jochen Friedrich (2020). Considerations for assessing stability of wastewater-based epidemiology biomarkers using biofilm-free and sewer reactor tests. Science of The Total Environment, 709 136228, 136228. doi: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2019.136228

Considerations for assessing stability of wastewater-based epidemiology biomarkers using biofilm-free and sewer reactor tests

2020

Journal Article

A comparison of trends in wastewater‐based data and traditional epidemiological indicators of stimulant consumption in three locations

Goulding, Neil, Hickman, Matthew, Reid, Malcolm, Amundsen, Ellen J., Baz‐Lomba, Jose Antonio, O'Brien, Jake W., Tscharke, Ben J., Voogt, Pim, Emke, Erik, Kuijpers, Wil, Hall, Wayne and Jones, Hayley E. (2020). A comparison of trends in wastewater‐based data and traditional epidemiological indicators of stimulant consumption in three locations. Addiction, 115 (3) add.14852, 462-472. doi: 10.1111/add.14852

A comparison of trends in wastewater‐based data and traditional epidemiological indicators of stimulant consumption in three locations

2020

Journal Article

New approach in the measurement of long-term alcohol consumption trends: application of wastewater-based epidemiology in an Australian regional city

Zheng, Qiuda, Tscharke, Benjamin J., Krapp, Catharina, O’Brien, Jake W., Mackie, Rachel S., Connor, Jason, Mueller, Jochen F., Thomas, Kevin V. and Thai, Phong K. (2020). New approach in the measurement of long-term alcohol consumption trends: application of wastewater-based epidemiology in an Australian regional city. Drug and Alcohol Dependence, 207 107795, 107795. doi: 10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2019.107795

New approach in the measurement of long-term alcohol consumption trends: application of wastewater-based epidemiology in an Australian regional city

2020

Journal Article

Calibration and validation of a microporous polyethylene passive sampler for quantitative estimation of illicit drug and pharmaceutical and personal care product (PPCP) concentrations in wastewater influent

McKay, Sarah, Tscharke, Ben, Hawker, Darryl, Thompson, Kristie, O'Brien, Jake, Mueller, Jochen F. and Kaserzon, Sarit (2020). Calibration and validation of a microporous polyethylene passive sampler for quantitative estimation of illicit drug and pharmaceutical and personal care product (PPCP) concentrations in wastewater influent. Science of The Total Environment, 704 135891, 135891. doi: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2019.135891

Calibration and validation of a microporous polyethylene passive sampler for quantitative estimation of illicit drug and pharmaceutical and personal care product (PPCP) concentrations in wastewater influent

2020

Journal Article

The underlying challenges that arise when analysing short-chain chlorinated paraffins in environmental matrices

van Mourik, L.M., Lava, R., O'Brien, J., Leonards, P.E.G., de Boer, J. and Ricci, M. (2020). The underlying challenges that arise when analysing short-chain chlorinated paraffins in environmental matrices. Journal of Chromatography A, 1610 460550, 1-10. doi: 10.1016/j.chroma.2019.460550

The underlying challenges that arise when analysing short-chain chlorinated paraffins in environmental matrices

2019

Journal Article

Evaluating the stability of three oxidative stress biomarkers under sewer conditions and potential impact for use in wastewater-based epidemiology

O'Brien, Jake W., Choi, Phil M., Li, Jiaying, Thai, Phong K., Jiang, Guangming, Tscharke, Ben, Mueller, Jochen F. and Thomas, Kevin V. (2019). Evaluating the stability of three oxidative stress biomarkers under sewer conditions and potential impact for use in wastewater-based epidemiology. Water Research, 166 115068, 115068. doi: 10.1016/j.watres.2019.115068

Evaluating the stability of three oxidative stress biomarkers under sewer conditions and potential impact for use in wastewater-based epidemiology

2019

Journal Article

Social, demographic, and economic correlates of food and chemical consumption measured by wastewater-based epidemiology

Choi, Phil M., Tscharke, Benjamin, Samanipour, Saer, Hall, Wayne D., Gartner, Coral E., Mueller, Jochen F., Thomas, Kevin V. and O’Brien, Jake W. (2019). Social, demographic, and economic correlates of food and chemical consumption measured by wastewater-based epidemiology. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 116 (43), 201910242-21873. doi: 10.1073/pnas.1910242116

Social, demographic, and economic correlates of food and chemical consumption measured by wastewater-based epidemiology

2019

Journal Article

Spatio-temporal assessment of illicit drug use at large scale: evidence from 7 years of international wastewater monitoring

González-Mariño, Iria, Baz-Lomba, Jose Antonio, Alygizakis, Nikiforos A., Andrés-Costa, Maria Jesús, Bade, Richard, Barron, Leon P., Been, Frederic, Berset, Jean-Daniel, Bijlsma, Lubertus, Bodík, Igor, Brenner, Asher, Brock, Andreas L., Burgard, Daniel A., Castrignanò, Erika, Christophoridis, Christophoros E., Covaci, Adrian, de Voogt, Pim, Devault, Damien A., Dias, Mário J., Emke, Erik, Fatta-Kassinos, Despo, Fedorova, Ganna, Fytianos, Konstantinos, Gerber, Cobus, Grabic, Roman, Grüner, Stefan, Gunnar, Teemu, Hapeshi, Evroula, Heath, Ester ... Ort, Christoph (2019). Spatio-temporal assessment of illicit drug use at large scale: evidence from 7 years of international wastewater monitoring. Addiction, 115 (1) add.14767, 109-120. doi: 10.1111/add.14767

Spatio-temporal assessment of illicit drug use at large scale: evidence from 7 years of international wastewater monitoring

Current funding

  • 2025 - 2026
    MOBSTER: Integrating antimicrobial resistance gene mobility analysis into surveillance to estimate risks
    Universities Australia - Germany Joint Research Co-operation Scheme
    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
  • 2022 - 2026
    A National Wastewater Surveillance Program for Antimicrobial Resistance
    NHMRC Investigator Grants
    Open grant
  • 2021 - 2025
    Understanding Australia by analysing wastewater during the Census 2021
    ARC Linkage Projects
    Open grant

Past funding

  • 2022 - 2025
    Realistic assessment of biomarker transformation in the wastewater system
    ARC Discovery Projects
    Open grant
  • 2022 - 2023
    Assessing the toxicity and metabolism of New Psychoactive Substances and their presence in wastewater
    Universities Australia - Germany Joint Research Co-operation Scheme
    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
  • 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 - 2022
    Revolutionizing real-time genomic epidemiology in urban wastewater systems (ARC Discovery Project administered by the University of Wollongong)
    University of Wollongong
    Open grant
  • 2018
    Measuring community oxidative stress and tobacco consumption levels through wastewater analysis
    UQ Early Career Researcher
    Open grant
  • 2016 - 2019
    National Wastewater Analysis Capability Project
    Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission
    Open grant
  • 2013
    UWA/UQ joint project on sewer epidemiology
    UWA-UQ Bilateral Research Collaboration Award
    Open grant

Availability

Dr Jake O'Brien is:
Available for supervision

Before you email them, read our advice on how to contact a supervisor.

Supervision history

Current supervision

Completed supervision

Enquiries

Contact Dr Jake O'Brien directly for media enquiries about:

  • Illicit drug monitoring in wastewater
  • national wastewater drug monitoring program
  • wastewater

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