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

219 works between 2011 and 2025
All (219) Book (1) Journal Article (168) Other Outputs (9) Conference Publication (38) Book Chapter (3)

141 - 160 of 219 works

2019

Journal Article

Accumulation and fate of nano- and micro-plastics and associated contaminants in organisms

Ribeiro, Francisca, O'Brien, Jake W., Galloway, Tamara and Thomas, Kevin V. (2019). Accumulation and fate of nano- and micro-plastics and associated contaminants in organisms. TrAC Trends in Analytical Chemistry, 111, 139-147. doi: 10.1016/j.trac.2018.12.010

Accumulation and fate of nano- and micro-plastics and associated contaminants in organisms

2019

Conference Publication

Influence of population age and socioeconomics on chemical consumption and diet patterns measured by wastewater based epidemiology

Choi, P., Tscharke, B., Samanipour, S., O’Brien, J., Thomas, K. and Mueller, J. (2019). Influence of population age and socioeconomics on chemical consumption and diet patterns measured by wastewater based epidemiology. 2019 Annual Conference of the International Society for Environmental Epidemiology, Utrecht, Netherlands, 25-28 August 2019. Alphen aan de Rijn, Netherlands: Ovid Technologies (Wolters Kluwer Health). doi: 10.1097/01.ee9.0000606448.07396.1d

Influence of population age and socioeconomics on chemical consumption and diet patterns measured by wastewater based epidemiology

2019

Conference Publication

Trends in nicotine consumption between 2010 and 2017 in an Australian city using the wastewater-based epidemiology approach

Mackie, Miss, Tscharke, Benjamin, O'Brien, Jake, Choi, Phil, Gartner, Coral, Thomas, Kevin and Mueller, Jochen (2019). Trends in nicotine consumption between 2010 and 2017 in an Australian city using the wastewater-based epidemiology approach. Fall National Meeting and Exposition of the American-Chemical-Society (ACS), San Diego, CA, United States, 25-29 August 2019. Washington, DC, United States: American Chemical Society.

Trends in nicotine consumption between 2010 and 2017 in an Australian city using the wastewater-based epidemiology approach

2019

Conference Publication

Monitoring opioid use through wastewater-based epidemiology: Case of methadone in Australia and China

Thai, Phong, O'Brien, Jake, Tscharke, Benjamin, Du, Peng, Li, Xiqing, Bruno, Raimondo, Thomas, Kevin and Mueller, Jochen (2019). Monitoring opioid use through wastewater-based epidemiology: Case of methadone in Australia and China. Fall National Meeting and Exposition of the American Chemical Society (ACS), San Diego, CA, United States, 25-29 August 2019. Washington, DC, United States: American Chemical Society.

Monitoring opioid use through wastewater-based epidemiology: Case of methadone in Australia and China

2019

Book Chapter

Mining population exposure and community health via wastewater-based epidemiology

Choi, Phil M., Thomas, Kevin V., O’Brien, Jake W. and Mueller, Jochen F. (2019). Mining population exposure and community health via wastewater-based epidemiology. A new paradigm for environmental chemistry and toxicology: from concepts to insights. (pp. 99-114) Singapore: Springer. doi: 10.1007/978-981-13-9447-8_8

Mining population exposure and community health via wastewater-based epidemiology

2019

Conference Publication

Expanding wastewater-based epidemiology to inform on public health

Thomas, Kevin, O'Brien, Jake, Tscharke, Benjamin, Choi, Phil, Thai, Phong, Mackie, Miss, Verhagen, Rory, Shimko, Katja, Ahmed, Fahad, O'Malley, Elissa, Zheng, Quida and Mueller, Jochen (2019). Expanding wastewater-based epidemiology to inform on public health. Fall National Meeting and Exposition of the American-Chemical-Society (ACS), San Diego, CA, United States, 25-29 August 2019. Washington, DC, United States: American Chemical Society.

Expanding wastewater-based epidemiology to inform on public health

2019

Conference Publication

Measuring the scale of opioid consumption in Australia by wastewater analysis

Gerber, Cobus, Nguyen, Lynn, Bade, Richard, White, Jason, Tscharke, Benjamin, O'Brien, Jake, Mueller, Jochen and Thomas, Kevin (2019). Measuring the scale of opioid consumption in Australia by wastewater analysis. Fall National Meeting and Exposition of the American Chemical Society (ACS), San Diego, CA, United States, 25-29 August 2019. Washington, DC, United States: American Chemical Society.

Measuring the scale of opioid consumption in Australia by wastewater analysis

2019

Conference Publication

Implication of in-sewer stability testing of markers for wastewater-based epidemiology

O'Brien, Jake W. , Jiang, Guangming , Gao, Jianfa , Li, Jiaying , Banks, Andrew , Mueller, Jochen F. , Choi, Phil , Thomas, Kevin V. , Ort, Christoph , Tscharke, Benjamin J. and Thai, Phong K. (2019). Implication of in-sewer stability testing of markers for wastewater-based epidemiology. ACS Fall 2019 National Meeting & Exposition, San Diego, CA, United States, 25-29 August 2019. WASHINGTON: AMER CHEMICAL SOC.

Implication of in-sewer stability testing of markers for wastewater-based epidemiology

2019

Conference Publication

Microplastics quantification in complex environment samples using combined solvent extraction and pyrolysis gas chromatography-mass spectrometry

Okoffo, Elvis Dartey, Ribeiro, Francisca, O'Brien, Stacey, O'Brien, Jake, Gallen, Michael and Thomas, Kevin (2019). Microplastics quantification in complex environment samples using combined solvent extraction and pyrolysis gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. Fall National Meeting and Exposition of the American-Chemical-Society (ACS), San Diego, CA United States, 25-29 August 2019. Washington, DC United States: American Chemical Society.

Microplastics quantification in complex environment samples using combined solvent extraction and pyrolysis gas chromatography-mass spectrometry

2018

Journal Article

Analyzing wastewater samples collected during census to determine the correction factors of drugs for wastewater-based epidemiology: the case of codeine and methadone

Thai, Phong K., O’Brien, Jake W., Tscharke, Ben J. and Mueller, Jochen F. (2018). Analyzing wastewater samples collected during census to determine the correction factors of drugs for wastewater-based epidemiology: the case of codeine and methadone. Environmental Science and Technology Letters, 6 (5) acs.estlett.8b00673, 265-269. doi: 10.1021/acs.estlett.8b00673

Analyzing wastewater samples collected during census to determine the correction factors of drugs for wastewater-based epidemiology: the case of codeine and methadone

2018

Journal Article

A National Wastewater Monitoring Program for a better understanding of public health: a case study using the Australian Census

O'Brien, Jake W., Grant, Sharon, Banks, Andrew P.W., Bruno, Raimondo, Carter, Stephen, Choi, Phil M., Covaci, Adrian, Crosbie, Nicholas D., Gartner, Coral, Hall, Wayne, Jiang, Guangming, Kaserzon, Sarit, Kirkbride, K. Paul, Lai, Foon Yin, Mackie, Rachel, Marshall, Judi, Ort, Christoph, Paxman, Christopher, Prichard, Jeremy, Thai, Phong, Thomas, Kevin V., Tscharke, Ben and Mueller, Jochen F. (2018). A National Wastewater Monitoring Program for a better understanding of public health: a case study using the Australian Census. Environment International, 122, 400-411. doi: 10.1016/j.envint.2018.12.003

A National Wastewater Monitoring Program for a better understanding of public health: a case study using the Australian Census

2018

Journal Article

Enantiomeric profiling of amphetamine and methamphetamine in wastewater: a 7-year study in regional and urban Queensland, Australia

Gao, Jianfa, Xu, Zeqiong, Li, Xiqing, O'Brien, Jake W., Culshaw, Peter N., Thomas, Kevin V., Tscharke, Benjamin J., Mueller, Jochen F. and Thai, Phong K. (2018). Enantiomeric profiling of amphetamine and methamphetamine in wastewater: a 7-year study in regional and urban Queensland, Australia. Science of the Total Environment, 643, 827-834. doi: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2018.06.242

Enantiomeric profiling of amphetamine and methamphetamine in wastewater: a 7-year study in regional and urban Queensland, Australia

2018

Other Outputs

National wastewater drug monitoring program: sixth report

Tscharke, B., Mackie, R., O’Brien, J., Grant, S., Mueller, J., Thomas, K., Ghetia, M., Bade, R., Gerber, C. and White, J. (2018). National wastewater drug monitoring program: sixth report. Canberra, ACT, Australia: Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission (ACIC).

National wastewater drug monitoring program: sixth report

2018

Journal Article

'Ice rushes', data shadows and methylamphetamine use in rural towns: wastewater analysis

Prichard, Jeremy, Lai, Foon Yin, O'Brien, Jake, Bruno, Raimondo, Thai, Phong, Hall, Wayne, Kirkbride, Paul, Thomas, Kevin and Mueller, Jochen F. (2018). 'Ice rushes', data shadows and methylamphetamine use in rural towns: wastewater analysis. Current Issues in Criminal Justice, 29 (3), 195-208. doi: 10.1080/10345329.2018.12036097

'Ice rushes', data shadows and methylamphetamine use in rural towns: wastewater analysis

2018

Journal Article

Population histamine burden assessed using wastewater-based epidemiology: the association of 1,4‑methylimidazole acetic acid and fexofenadine

Choi, Phil M., O'Brien, Jake W., Li, Jiaying, Jiang, Guangming, Thomas, Kevin V. and Mueller, Jochen F. (2018). Population histamine burden assessed using wastewater-based epidemiology: the association of 1,4‑methylimidazole acetic acid and fexofenadine. Environment International, 120, 172-180. doi: 10.1016/j.envint.2018.08.009

Population histamine burden assessed using wastewater-based epidemiology: the association of 1,4‑methylimidazole acetic acid and fexofenadine

2018

Other Outputs

National wastewater drug monitoring program - report 5

Tscharke, Bengamine J., Mackie, Rachel, O'Brien, Jake W., Grant, Sharon, Mueller, Jochen, Ghetia, Maulik, Aghera, Hetal, Bade, Richard, Gerber, Cobus and White, Jason (2018). National wastewater drug monitoring program - report 5. Canberra, ACT, Australia: Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission (ACIC).

National wastewater drug monitoring program - report 5

2018

Journal Article

Wastewater-based epidemiology biomarkers: past, present and future

Choi, Phil M., Tscharke, Ben J., Donner, Erica, O'Brien, Jake W., Grant, Sharon C., Kaserzon, Sarit L., Mackie, Rachel, O'Malley, Elissa, Crosbie, Nicholas D., Thomas, Kevin V. and Mueller, Jochen F. (2018). Wastewater-based epidemiology biomarkers: past, present and future. Trends in Analytical Chemistry, 105, 453-469. doi: 10.1016/j.trac.2018.06.004

Wastewater-based epidemiology biomarkers: past, present and future

2018

Journal Article

Comparing methamphetamine, MDMA, cocaine, codeine and methadone use between the Auckland region and four Australian states using wastewater-based epidemiology (WBE)

Wilkins, Chris, Lai, Foon Yin, O'Brien, Jake, Thai, Phong and Mueller, Jochen F. (2018). Comparing methamphetamine, MDMA, cocaine, codeine and methadone use between the Auckland region and four Australian states using wastewater-based epidemiology (WBE). The New Zealand Medical Journal, 131 (1478), 12-20.

Comparing methamphetamine, MDMA, cocaine, codeine and methadone use between the Auckland region and four Australian states using wastewater-based epidemiology (WBE)

2018

Journal Article

Analysis of N,N-Dimethylamphetamine in Wastewater - A Pyrolysis Marker and Synthesis Impurity of Methamphetamine

Been, Frederic, O'Brien, Jake, Lai, Foon Yin, Morelato, Marie, Vallely, Peter, McGowan, Jenny, van Nuijs, Alexander L. N., Covaci, Adrian and Mueller, Jochen F. (2018). Analysis of N,N-Dimethylamphetamine in Wastewater - A Pyrolysis Marker and Synthesis Impurity of Methamphetamine. Drug Testing and Analysis, 10 (10), 1590-1598. doi: 10.1002/dta.2419

Analysis of N,N-Dimethylamphetamine in Wastewater - A Pyrolysis Marker and Synthesis Impurity of Methamphetamine

2018

Journal Article

Measuring spatial and temporal trends of nicotine and alcohol consumption in Australia using wastewater-based epidemiology

Lai, Foon Yin, Gartner, Coral, Hall, Wayne, Carter, Steve, O'Brien, Jake, Tscharke, Benjamin J., Been, Frederic, Gerber, Cobus, White, Jason, Thai, Phong, Bruno, Raimondo, Prichard, Jeremy, Kirkbride, K. Paul and Mueller, Jochen F. (2018). Measuring spatial and temporal trends of nicotine and alcohol consumption in Australia using wastewater-based epidemiology. Addiction, 113 (6), 1127-1136. doi: 10.1111/add.14157

Measuring spatial and temporal trends of nicotine and alcohol consumption in Australia using wastewater-based epidemiology

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 - 2025
    Realistic assessment of biomarker transformation in the wastewater system
    ARC Discovery Projects
    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 - 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

Looking for a supervisor? Read our advice on how to choose 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

Need help?

For help with finding experts, story ideas and media enquiries, contact our Media team:

communications@uq.edu.au