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
Journal Article
Measuring biomarkers in wastewater as a new source of epidemiological information: current state and future perspectives
Gracia-Lor, Emma, Castiglioni, Sara, Bade, Richard, Been, Frederic, Castrignano, Erika, Covaci, Adrian, Gonzalez-Marino, Iria, Hapeshi, Evroula, Kasprzyk-Hordern, Barbara, Kinyua, Juliet, Lai, Foon Yin, Letzel, Thomas, Lopardo, Luigi, Meyer, Markus R., O'Brien, Jake, Ramin, Pedram, Rousis, Nikolaos I., Rydevik, Axel, Ryu, Yeonsuk, Santos, Miguel M., Senta, Ivan, Thomaidis, Nikolaos S., Veloutsou, Sofia, Yang, Zhugen, Zuccato, Ettore and Bijlsma, Lubertus (2017). Measuring biomarkers in wastewater as a new source of epidemiological information: current state and future perspectives. Environment International, 99, 131-150. doi: 10.1016/j.envint.2016.12.016
2017
Conference Publication
Spatial differences in illicit drug use in Australia’s capital and regional areas; initial results from the National Wastewater Drug Monitoring Program
Tscharke, Ben , O'Brien, Jake , Gerber, Cobus , Grant, Sharon , White, Jason , Thomas, Kevin , Bade, Richard and Mueller, Jochen (2017). Spatial differences in illicit drug use in Australia’s capital and regional areas; initial results from the National Wastewater Drug Monitoring Program. SETAC Australasia Conference 2017, Gold Coast, Australia, 4-6 September 2017.
2017
Conference Publication
Finding population and demographic markers in wastewater using samples collected during a population census
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). Finding population and demographic markers in wastewater using samples collected during a population census. Testing the Waters 2017: 3rd International conference on “Wastewater – Based Drug Epidemiology”, Lisbon, Portugal, 26-27 October 2017.
2017
Conference Publication
Development of a national wastewater drug monitoring program in Australia
O'Brien, Jake , Tscharke, Ben , Gerber, Cobus , Grant, Sharon , White, Jason , Thomas, Kevin , Bade, Richard and Mueller, Jochen (2017). Development of a national wastewater drug monitoring program in Australia. Lisbon Addictions: 2nd European Conference on Addictive Behaviours and Dependencies, Lisbon, Portugal, 24-26 October 2017.
2017
Conference Publication
Can wastewater-based epidemiology be used for the assessment of anabolic steroid use?
Shimko, Katja, O'Brien, Jake, Kayalar, Hasan, Choi, Phil, Jiang, Hui, Tscharke, Ben, Zahnow, Renee, Eaglesham, Geoff, Mueller, Jochen, Barron, Leon and Thomas, Kevin (2017). Can wastewater-based epidemiology be used for the assessment of anabolic steroid use?. Qld Annual Chemistry Symposium, Brisbane, Australia, 27 November 2017.
2017
Conference Publication
Spatial differences in illicit drug use in Australia’s capital and regional areas; initial results from the National Wastewater Drug Monitoring Program
Tscharke, Ben , Gerber, Cobus , O'Brien, Jake , Grant, Sharon , Mueller, Jochen, Thomas, Kevin , Bade, Richard and White, Jason (2017). Spatial differences in illicit drug use in Australia’s capital and regional areas; initial results from the National Wastewater Drug Monitoring Program. Testing the waters 2017 Wastewater-based epidemiology: current applications and future perspectives 3rd international conference, Lisbon, Portugal, 26-27 October 2017.
2017
Journal Article
Wastewater analysis of substance use: implications for law, policy and research
Prichard, Jeremy, Lai, Foon Yin, van Dyken, Emma, Thai, Phong, Bruno, Raimondo, Hall, Wayne, Kirkbride, Paul, Gartner, Coral, O'Brien, Jake and Mueller, Jochen F. (2017). Wastewater analysis of substance use: implications for law, policy and research. Journal of Law and Medicine, 24 (4), 837-849.
2017
Conference Publication
Assessing population health by wastewater analysis
Choi, Phil M. , O'Brien, Jake W. , Tscharke, Ben , Thomas, Kevin V. and Mueller, Jochen F. (2017). Assessing population health by wastewater analysis. 2nd Queensland Mass Spectrometry Symposium 2017, QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Brisbane, Australia, 2-3 November 2017.
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.
2017
Conference Publication
Analysis of Multiclass UV Filters in Wastewater by LC-MS/MS
O'Malley, Elissa, O'Brien, Jake and Mueller, Jochen (2017). Analysis of Multiclass UV Filters in Wastewater by LC-MS/MS. SETAC Australasia Conference 2017, Gold Coast, Australia, 4-6 September 2017.
2017
Conference Publication
Can wastewater-based epidemiology be used for the assessment of anabolic steroid use?
Shimko, Katja , O'Brien, Jake , Kayalar, Hasan , Choi, Phil , Jiang, Hui , Tscharke, Ben , Zahnow, Renee , Eaglesham, Geoff , Mueller, Jochen, Barron, Leon and Thomas, Kevin (2017). Can wastewater-based epidemiology be used for the assessment of anabolic steroid use?. 2nd Queensland Mass Spectrometry Symposium 2017, Brisbane, Australia, 2-3 November 2017. Brisbane, QLD., Australia: QIMR .
2017
Conference Publication
Wastewater analysis: a tool for measuring population consumption of chemicals and release of chemicals to the environment
O'Brien, Jake , Tscharke, Ben , Grant, Sharon , Thai, Phong , Ort, Christoph , Lai, Foon Yin , Mackie, Rachel , Covaci, Adrian , Bruno, Raimondo , Gartner, Coral , Prichard, Jeremy , Hall, Wayne , Kirkbride, Paul , Choi, Phil , Thomas, Kevin and Mueller, Jochen (2017). Wastewater analysis: a tool for measuring population consumption of chemicals and release of chemicals to the environment. Environmental Health Australia 42nd National Conference, Brisbane, Australia, 16-19 October 2017.
2017
Conference Publication
Using wastewater analysis to find demographic markers
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 demographic markers. 2nd Queensland Mass Spectrometry Symposium 2017, Brisbane, Australia, 2-3 November 2017.
2017
Conference Publication
Association between purity of seized drugs with their daily loads measured in wastewater in an Australian catchment from 2010-2015
Bruno, Raimondo, Edirisinghe, Methsiri, Hall, Wayne, Mueller, Jochen, Lai, Foon Yin, O'Brien, Jake and Thai, Phong (2017). Association between purity of seized drugs with their daily loads measured in wastewater in an Australian catchment from 2010-2015. 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
Funding
Current funding
Supervision
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
-
Doctor Philosophy
The suitability of wastewater-based epidemiology for AMR surveillance
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Kevin Thomas
-
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 Cassandra Rauert
-
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
Investigation of the inflammatory response of human cells to silica dust exposure
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Jianhua Guo, Professor Kevin Thomas
-
Doctor Philosophy
Understanding use and fate of ingredients in consumer products
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Richard Bade
-
Doctor Philosophy
Development of Specialised Hyphenated Methodologies for Quantifying New Halogenated Plastic Materials
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Kevin Thomas, Dr Elvis Okoffo, Dr Cassandra Rauert
-
Doctor Philosophy
Assessment of biomarker transformation in the wastewater system
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Qiuda Zheng, Associate Professor Phong Thai
-
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 Cassandra Rauert
Completed supervision
-
2025
Doctor Philosophy
Exploring antimicrobial resistance in Australian wastewater
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Jianhua Guo, Professor Kevin Thomas
-
2025
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 Cassandra Rauert, Professor Kevin Thomas
-
2025
Doctor Philosophy
Antibiotics and other chemicals that select for antimicrobial resistance in Australian wastewater
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Kevin Thomas
-
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, Professor Kevin Thomas
-
2025
Doctor Philosophy
Estimating use of nicotine containing products and evaluating tobacco-related health risks through wastewater analysis
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Kevin Thomas, Dr Ben Tscharke, Associate Professor Phong Thai
-
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: Dr Ben Tscharke, Professor Kevin Thomas
-
2022
Doctor Philosophy
Assessment of plastic contamination in marine organisms
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: 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 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: Dr Ben Tscharke, Professor Kevin Thomas
-
2021
Doctor Philosophy
An assessment of plastic residues in Australian biosolids
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: 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
-
2020
Doctor Philosophy
Population diet and stress estimates using wastewater based epidemiology
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Kevin Thomas
-
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
Media
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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