Overview
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
Qualifications
- Bachelor of Science, The University of Queensland
- Bachelor (Honours), The University of Queensland
- Doctor of Philosophy, The University of Queensland
Works
Search Professor Jake O'Brien’s works on UQ eSpace
2017
Conference Publication
Towards monitoring population food consumption and dietary status using wastewater based epidemiology
Choi, Phil M. , O'Brien, Jake W. , Tscharke, Ben , Mackie, Rachel , Eaglesham, Geoff , Grant, Sharon , Thomas, Kevin V. and Mueller, Jochen F. (2017). Towards monitoring population food consumption and dietary status using wastewater based epidemiology. 13th Annual Conference of the Metabolomics Society, Brisbane Convention & Exhibition Centre, Brisbane, Australia, 26-29 June 2017.
2017
Conference Publication
Use of wastewater-based epidemiology to monitor nicotine consumption in Australian and New Zealand communities
Gartner, Coral Elizabeth, Lai, Foon , Mueller, Jochen F., Crothers, Anna , Wilkins, Chris, Hall, Wayne Denis (UQCCR), Bruno, Raimondo, Prichard, Jeremy and O'Brien, Jake (2017). Use of wastewater-based epidemiology to monitor nicotine consumption in Australian and New Zealand communities. Society for Research on Nicotine and Tobacco Annual Meeting, Florence, Italy, 8-11 March 2017.
2017
Conference Publication
Using wastewater analysis to find population and demographic markers in wastewater
O'Brien, Jake , Grant, Sharon , Thai, Phong , Ort, Christoph , Eaglesham, Geoff , Vijayasarathy, Soumini , Lai, Foon Yin , Covaci, Adrian , Novic, Andrew , Tscharke, Ben , Choi, Phil , Thomas, Kevin and Mueller, Jochen (2017). Using wastewater analysis to find population and demographic markers in wastewater. SETAC Australasia Conference 2017, Gold Coast, Australia, 4-6 September 2017.
2017
Conference Publication
Can wastewater analysis be used to inform on the clandestine production of methylamphetamine?
Kayalar, Hasan, O'Brien, Jake, Shimko, Katja, Tscharke, Ben, Choi, Phil, Ferris, Jason, Eaglesham, Geoff, Jiang, Hui, Barron, Leon, Mueller, Jochen and Thomas, Kevin (2017). Can wastewater analysis be used to inform on the clandestine production of methylamphetamine?. 2nd Queensland Mass Spectrometry Symposium, Brisbane, Australia, 2-3 November 2017.
2017
Conference Publication
The challenges of performing large-scale multi-city wastewater-based epidemiology studies
Thomas, Kevin , O'Brien, Jake , Bijlsma, Lubertus , Castiglioni, Sara , Covaci, Adrian , de Voogt, Pim , Emke, Erik , Hernandez, Felix , Gerber, Cobus , Grant, Sharon , Kasprzyk-Hordern, Barbara , Mueller, Jochen , Ort, Christoph , Reid, Malcolm , Tscharke, Ben , van Nuijs, Alexander and White, Jason (2017). The challenges of performing large-scale multi-city wastewater-based epidemiology studies. Testing the waters 2017 Wastewater-based epidemiology: current applications and future perspectives 3rd international conference, Lisbon, Portugal, 26-27 October 2017.
2017
Conference Publication
Methamphetamine pyrolysis byproducts in wastewater – a way of distinguishing administration routes?
Been, Frederic, O'Brien, Jake, Lai, Foon Yin, van Nuijs, Alexander, Covaci, Adrian and Mueller, Jochen (2017). Methamphetamine pyrolysis byproducts in wastewater – a way of distinguishing administration routes?. Testing the Waters 2017: 3rd International conference on “Wastewater – Based Drug Epidemiology”, Lisbon, Portugal, 26-27 October 2017.
2016
Journal Article
Degradation of herbicides in the tropical marine environment: influence of light and sediment
Mercurio, Philip, Mueller, Jochen F., Eaglesham, Geoff, O'Brien, Jake, Flores, Florita and Negri, Andrew P. (2016). Degradation of herbicides in the tropical marine environment: influence of light and sediment. PLoS ONE, 11 (11) e0165890, e0165890. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0165890
2016
Journal Article
Spatial variations in the consumption of illicit stimulant drugs across Australia: a nationwide application of wastewater-based epidemiology
Lai, Foon Yin, O'Brien, Jake, Bruno, Raimondo, Hall, Wayne, Prichard, Jeremy, Kirkbride, Paul, Gartner, Coral, Thai, Phong, Carter, Steve, Burns, Lucy and Mueller, Jochen (2016). Spatial variations in the consumption of illicit stimulant drugs across Australia: a nationwide application of wastewater-based epidemiology. Science of The Total Environment, 568 (9), 810-818. doi: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2016.05.207
2016
Journal Article
Measuring selected PPCPs in wastewater to estimate the population in different cities in China
Gao, Jianfa, O'Brien, Jake, Du, Peng, Li, Xiqing, Ort, Christoph, Mueller, Jochen F. and Thai, Phong K. (2016). Measuring selected PPCPs in wastewater to estimate the population in different cities in China. Science of the Total Environment, 568, 164-170. doi: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2016.05.216
2016
Journal Article
Comparative measurement and quantitative risk assessment of alcohol consumption through wastewater-based epidemiology: an international study in 20 cities
Ryu, Yeonsuk, Barcelo, Damià, Barron, Leon P., Bijlsma, Lubertus, Castiglioni, Sara, de Voogt, Pim, Emke, Erik, Hernandez, Félix, Lai, Foon Yin, Lopes, Alvaro, de Alda, Miren López, Mastroianni, Nicola, Munro, Kelly, O'Brien, Jake, Ort, Christoph, Plosz, Benedek G., Reid, Malcolm J., Yargeau, Viviane and Thomas, Kevin V. (2016). Comparative measurement and quantitative risk assessment of alcohol consumption through wastewater-based epidemiology: an international study in 20 cities. Science of the Total Environment, 565, 977-983. doi: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2016.04.138
2016
Journal Article
Refining the excretion factors of methadone and codeine for wastewater analysis - combining data from pharmacokinetic and wastewater studies
Thai, Phong K., Lai, Foon Yin, Bruno, Raimondo, van Dyken, Emma, Hall, Wayne, O'Brien, Jake, Prichard, Jeremy and Mueller, Jochen F. (2016). Refining the excretion factors of methadone and codeine for wastewater analysis - combining data from pharmacokinetic and wastewater studies. Environment International, 94, 307-314. doi: 10.1016/j.envint.2016.05.033
2016
Journal Article
Cocaine, MDMA and methamphetamine residues in wastewater: consumption trends (2009-2015) in South East Queensland, Australia
Lai, Foon Yin, O'Brien, Jake W., Thai, Phong K., Hall, Wayne, Chan, Gary, Bruno, Raimondo, Ort, Christoph, Prichard, Jeremy, Carter, Steve, Anuj, Shalona, Kirkbride, K. Paul, Gartner, Coral, Humphries, Melissa and Mueller, Jochen F. (2016). Cocaine, MDMA and methamphetamine residues in wastewater: consumption trends (2009-2015) in South East Queensland, Australia. Science of The Total Environment, 568, 803-809. doi: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2016.05.181
2016
Journal Article
Evaluation of monitoring schemes for wastewater-based epidemiology to identify drug use trends using cocaine, methamphetamine, MDMA and methadone
Humphries, Melissa A., Bruno, Raimondo, Lai, Foon Yin, Thai, Phong K., Holland, Barbara R., O'Brien, Jake W., Ort, Christoph and Mueller, Jochen F. (2016). Evaluation of monitoring schemes for wastewater-based epidemiology to identify drug use trends using cocaine, methamphetamine, MDMA and methadone. Environmental Science and Technology, 50 (9), 4760-4768. doi: 10.1021/acs.est.5b06126
2016
Journal Article
Trends in methamphetamine residues in wastewater in metropolitan and regional cities in south-east Queensland, 2009-2015
Lai, Foon Yin, O'Brien, Jake, Thai, Phong K., Hall, Wayne D. and Mueller, Jochen (2016). Trends in methamphetamine residues in wastewater in metropolitan and regional cities in south-east Queensland, 2009-2015. Medical Journal of Australia, 204 (4), 151-152e. doi: 10.5694/mja15.01054
2016
Journal Article
Monitoring temporal changes in use of two cathinones in a large urban catchment in Queensland, Australia
Thai, Phong K., Lai, Foon Yin, Edirisinghe, Mehtsiri, Hall, Wayne, Bruno, Raimondo, O'Brien, Jake W., Prichard, Jeremy, Kirkbride, K. Paul and Mueller, Jochen F. (2016). Monitoring temporal changes in use of two cathinones in a large urban catchment in Queensland, Australia. Science of the Total Environment, 545-546, 250-255. doi: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2015.12.038
2016
Conference Publication
Alcohol, nicotine and illicit drug testing in wastewater in Victoria
Killian, Jessica, Lloyd, Belinda, Lai, Foon Yin, O'Brien, Jake W. and Mueller, Jochen F. (2016). Alcohol, nicotine and illicit drug testing in wastewater in Victoria. Australasian Professional Society on Alcohol and other Drugs Conference 2016, Sydney, Australia, 30 October – 2 November 2016. Chichester, West Sussex, United Kingdom: Wiley-Blackwell Publishing. doi: 10.1111/dar.12484
2016
Conference Publication
A modelling approach to estimate the number of people contributing to a wastewater sample using population biomarkers
O'Brien, Jake, Thai, Phong, Ort, Christoph, Thomas, Kevin, Reid, Malcolm, Baz Lomba, José Antonio, Lai, Foon Yin and Mueller, Jochen (2016). A modelling approach to estimate the number of people contributing to a wastewater sample using population biomarkers. 2016 Annual Meeting of the International Society of Exposure Sicence, Utrecht, Netherlands, 9 - 13 October 2016. Herndon, VA, United States: International Society of Exposure Science.
2015
Journal Article
Wastewater analysis of Census day samples to investigate per capita input of organophosphorus flame retardants and plasticizers into wastewater
O'Brien, Jake W., Thai, Phong K., Brandsma, Sicco H., Leonards, Pim E. G., Ort, Christoph and Mueller, Jochen F. (2015). Wastewater analysis of Census day samples to investigate per capita input of organophosphorus flame retardants and plasticizers into wastewater. Chemosphere, 138, 328-334. doi: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2015.06.014
2015
Journal Article
A miniature bioassay for testing the acute phytotoxicity of photosystem II herbicides on seagrass
Wilkinson, Adam D., Collier, Catherine J., Flores, Florita, Mercurio, Phil, O'Brien, Jake, Ralph, Peter J. and Negri, Andrew P. (2015). A miniature bioassay for testing the acute phytotoxicity of photosystem II herbicides on seagrass. PLoS One, 10 (2) e0117541, e0117541. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0117541
2015
Journal Article
Systematic and day-to-day effects of chemical-derived population estimates on wastewater-based drug epidemiology
Lai, Foon Yin, Anuj, Shalona, Bruno, Raimondo, Carter, Steve, Gartner, Coral, Hall, Wayne, Kirkbride, K. Paul, Mueller, Jochen F., O'Brien, Jake W., Prichard, Jeremy, Thai, Phong K and Ort, Christoph (2015). Systematic and day-to-day effects of chemical-derived population estimates on wastewater-based drug epidemiology. Environmental Science and Technology, 49 (2), 999-1008. doi: 10.1021/es503474d
Funding
Current funding
Supervision
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
-
Doctor Philosophy
Non-Targeted High-Resolution Mass Spectrometric Characterisation of Highly Mobile and Highly Persistent Chemicals
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Kevin Thomas, Dr Elvis Okoffo, Dr Cassie Rauert
-
Doctor Philosophy
The suitability of wastewater-based epidemiology for AMR surveillance
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Kevin Thomas
-
Doctor Philosophy
Investigation of the inflammatory response of human cells to silica dust exposure
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Jianhua Guo, Professor Kevin Thomas
-
Doctor Philosophy
Developing the framework for a national wastewater antimicrobial resistance and antimicrobial use surveillance method
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Kevin Thomas
-
Doctor Philosophy
Microplastics in the air: Working towards understanding micro plastics in the atmospheric environment, the plastic exposome and human respiratory exposure
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Fisher Wang, Dr Cassie Rauert, Professor Kevin Thomas
-
Doctor Philosophy
Antibiotics and other chemicals that select for antimicrobial resistance in Australian wastewater
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Kevin Thomas
-
Doctor Philosophy
Exploring antimicrobial resistance in Australian wastewater
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Jianhua Guo, Professor Kevin Thomas
-
Doctor Philosophy
Assessment of biomarker transformation in the wastewater system
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Associate Professor Phong Thai, Dr Qiuda Zheng
-
Doctor Philosophy
Characterisation and Quantification of Nanoplastics in the Environment Using Pyrolysis Gas Chromatography Tandem Mass Spectrometry
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Kevin Thomas, Dr Elvis Okoffo, Dr Cassie Rauert
-
Doctor Philosophy
Estimating use of nicotine containing products and evaluating tobacco-related health risks through wastewater analysis
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Jochen Mueller, Professor Kevin Thomas, Dr Ben Tscharke, Associate Professor Phong Thai
-
Doctor Philosophy
Development of Specialised Hyphenated Methodologies for Quantifying New Halogenated Plastic Materials
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Kevin Thomas, Dr Elvis Okoffo, Dr Cassie Rauert
-
Doctor Philosophy
Understanding use and fate of ingredients in consumer products
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Richard Bade, Professor Jochen Mueller
Completed supervision
-
2025
Doctor Philosophy
Advancing the non-target identification of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances in environmental samples
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Ian Wood, Associate Professor Sarit Kaserzon, Dr Pradeep Dewapriya, Professor Kevin Thomas
-
2022
Doctor Philosophy
Evaluating the suitability of wastewater analysis for the detection and monitoring of performance- and image-enhancing drug use
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Jochen Mueller, Dr Ben Tscharke, Professor Kevin Thomas
-
2022
Doctor Philosophy
Assessment of plastic contamination in marine organisms
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Jochen Mueller, Associate Professor Sarit Kaserzon, Professor Kevin Thomas
-
2022
Doctor Philosophy
An assessment of alcohol and tobacco consumption by wastewater-based epidemiology
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Jochen Mueller, Professor Kevin Thomas, Dr Ben Tscharke, Associate Professor Phong Thai
-
2022
Doctor Philosophy
Assessment of analgesic consumption and the burden of treated pain in Australia using wastewater-based epidemiology
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Jochen Mueller, Dr Ben Tscharke, Professor Kevin Thomas
-
2021
Doctor Philosophy
An assessment of plastic residues in Australian biosolids
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Jochen Mueller, Dr Ben Tscharke, Professor Kevin Thomas
-
2020
Doctor Philosophy
Assessing sources, fate, and the potential risk of UV filters in the aquatic environment
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Jochen Mueller
-
2020
Doctor Philosophy
Population diet and stress estimates using wastewater based epidemiology
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Kevin Thomas, Professor Jochen Mueller
-
2019
Doctor Philosophy
Expanding wastewater-based epidemiology and evaluating the stability of biomarkers in the sewers: from the laboratory to the field
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Associate Professor Phong Thai, Professor Jochen Mueller
Media
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: