Overview
Background
Dr Ben Tscharke is an early career researcher and analytical chemist with a keen interest in quantifying analytes in environmental samples. Ben is currently a Research Fellow at the University of Queensland research institute, Queensland Alliance for Environmental Health Sciences (QAEHS), joining in February 2017 after graduating his PhD from the University of South Australia the previous year. His key focus at QAEHS involves the wastewater based epidemiological approach to determine community consumption and exposure to a range of illicit drugs, pharmaceuticals and personal care products. He has significant involvement in the Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission's National Wastewater Drug Monitoring program, for which UQ collaborates with the University of South Australia (https://www.acic.gov.au/publications/intelligence-products/national-wastewater-drug-monitoring-program-report).
Availability
- Dr Ben Tscharke is:
- Available for supervision
- Media expert
Fields of research
Qualifications
- Doctor of Philosophy, University of South Australia
Research interests
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Wastewater-based epidemiology
I am a research fellow at QAEHS focussed on estimating population-level consumption of licit and illicit drugs in communities via measuring drugs and drug metabolites in wastewater. One of my main interests is extending the utility of wastewater data by combining it with other forms of data to improve understanding of drug use and exposure to chemicals in our communities.
Works
Search Professor Ben Tscharke’s works on UQ eSpace
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
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
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
2019
Journal Article
A sensitive analytical method for the measurement of neurotransmitter metabolites as potential population biomarkers in wastewater
Pandopulos, Aaron J., Gerber, Cobus, Tscharke, Benjamin J., O'Brien, Jake, White, Jason M. and Bade, Richard (2019). A sensitive analytical method for the measurement of neurotransmitter metabolites as potential population biomarkers in wastewater. Journal of Chromatography A, 1612 460623, 460623. doi: 10.1016/j.chroma.2019.460623
2019
Journal Article
Wastewater treatment plants as a source of plastics in the environment: a review of occurrence, methods for identification, quantification and fate
Okoffo, Elvis Dartey, O'Brien, Stacey, O’Brien, Jake W., Tscharke, Ben and Thomas, Kevin V. (2019). Wastewater treatment plants as a source of plastics in the environment: a review of occurrence, methods for identification, quantification and fate. Environmental Science: Water Research & Technology, 5 (11), 1908-1931. doi: 10.1039/c9ew00428a
2019
Other Outputs
National wastewater drug monitoring program - report 8
Tscharke, B, O'Brien, J., Reeks, T., Elisei, G., Grant, S., Mueller, J., Thomas, K., Ghetia, M., Bade, R., Nguyen, L., Gerber, C. and White, J. (2019). National wastewater drug monitoring program - report 8. Canberra, ACT, Australia: Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission (ACIC).
2019
Journal Article
Harnessing the power of the census: characterising wastewater treatment plant catchment populations for wastewater-based epidemiology
Tscharke, Benjamin J., O'Brien, Jake, Ort, Christoph, Grant, Sharon, Gerber, Cobus, Bade, Richard, Thai, Phong K., Thomas, Kevin V. and Mueller, Jochen F. (2019). Harnessing the power of the census: characterising wastewater treatment plant catchment populations for wastewater-based epidemiology. Environmental Science and Technology, 53 (17) acs.est.9b03447, 10303-10311. doi: 10.1021/acs.est.9b03447
2019
Journal Article
A pilot wastewater‐based epidemiology assessment of anabolic steroid use in Queensland, Australia
Shimko, Katja M., O'Brien, Jake W., Barron, Leon, Kayalar, Hasan, Mueller, Jochen F., Tscharke, Ben J., Choi, Phil M., Jiang, Hui, Eaglesham, Geoff and Thomas, Kevin V. (2019). A pilot wastewater‐based epidemiology assessment of anabolic steroid use in Queensland, Australia. Drug Testing and Analysis, 11 (7) dta.2591, 937-949. doi: 10.1002/dta.2591
2019
Journal Article
Uncertainties in estimating alcohol and tobacco consumption by wastewater-based epidemiology
Zheng, Qiuda, Tscharke, Ben, O’Brien, Jake, Gerber, Cobus, Mackie, Rachel, Gao, Jianfa and Thai, Phong (2019). Uncertainties in estimating alcohol and tobacco consumption by wastewater-based epidemiology. Current Opinion in Environmental Science and Health, 9, 13-18. doi: 10.1016/j.coesh.2019.03.004
2019
Journal Article
Per capita loads of organic UV filters in Australian wastewater influent
O'Malley, Elissa, O'Brien, Jake W., Tscharke, Ben, Thomas, Kevin and Mueller, Jochen F. (2019). Per capita loads of organic UV filters in Australian wastewater influent. Science of The Total Environment, 662, 134-140. doi: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2019.01.140
2019
Other Outputs
National wastewater drug monitoring program - report 7
Tscharke, B., Reeks, T., Elisei, G., O'Brien, J., Grant, S., Mueller, J., Thomas, K., Ghetia, M., Bade, R., Nguyen, L., Gerber, C. and White, J. (2019). National wastewater drug monitoring program - report 7. Canberra, ACT, Australia: Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission (ACIC).
2019
Journal Article
Simultaneous determination of 24 opioids, stimulants and new psychoactive substances in wastewater
Bade, Richard, Ghetia, Maulik, Nguyen, Lynn, Tscharke, Benjamin J., White, Jason M. and Gerber, Cobus (2019). Simultaneous determination of 24 opioids, stimulants and new psychoactive substances in wastewater. MethodsX, 6, 953-960. doi: 10.1016/j.mex.2019.04.016
2019
Journal Article
Trends in nicotine consumption between 2010 and 2017 in an Australian city using the wastewater-based epidemiology approach
Mackie, Rachel S., Tscharke, Benjamin J., O'Brien, Jake W., Choi, Phil M., Gartner, Coral E., Thomas, Kevin V. and Mueller, Jochen F. (2019). Trends in nicotine consumption between 2010 and 2017 in an Australian city using the wastewater-based epidemiology approach. Environment International, 125, 184-190. doi: 10.1016/j.envint.2019.01.053
2019
Journal Article
Assessment of drugs of abuse in a wastewater treatment plant in New Zealand with parallel secondary wastewater treatment train
Kumar, Rahul, Tscharke, Ben, O'Brien, Jake, Mueller, Jochen F., Wilkins, Chris and Padhye, Lokesh P. (2019). Assessment of drugs of abuse in a wastewater treatment plant in New Zealand with parallel secondary wastewater treatment train. Science of The Total Environment, 658, 947-957. doi: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2018.12.167
2019
Journal Article
LC-HRMS suspect screening to show spatial patterns of New Psychoactive Substances use in Australia
Bade, Richard, Tscharke, Benjamin J., White, Jason M., Grant, Sharon, Mueller, Jochen F., O'Brien, Jake, Thomas, Kevin V. and Gerber, Cobus (2019). LC-HRMS suspect screening to show spatial patterns of New Psychoactive Substances use in Australia. Science of the Total Environment, 650 (Pt 2), 2181-2187. doi: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2018.09.348
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.
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.
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.
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
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.
Funding
Current funding
Past funding
Supervision
Availability
- Dr Ben Tscharke is:
- Available for supervision
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Supervision history
Current supervision
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Doctor Philosophy
An exploration of contaminants of emerging concern (CECs) in QLD wastewater
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Fisher Wang, Dr Jiaying Li, Dr Ian Zammit
-
Doctor Philosophy
Bioaccumulation potential of chlorinated paraffins (CPs) in humans
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Richard Bade, Associate Professor Phong Thai, Professor Jochen Mueller
-
Doctor Philosophy
Estimating use of tobacco and nicotine products through wastewater analysis
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Jochen Mueller, Dr Jake O'Brien, Professor Kevin Thomas, Associate Professor Phong Thai
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Doctor Philosophy
Data mining for characterization of the chemical exposome in Australia
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Jochen Mueller, Associate Professor Gary Chung Kai Chan
Completed supervision
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2022
Doctor Philosophy
Innovative sampling strategies for improved wastewater-based epidemiology
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Jochen Mueller, Associate Professor Sarit Kaserzon, Professor Kevin Thomas
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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 Jake O'Brien, Professor Kevin Thomas
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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, Professor Kevin Thomas, 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 Jake O'Brien, Professor Kevin Thomas
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2021
Doctor Philosophy
An assessment of plastic residues in Australian biosolids
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Jochen Mueller, Dr Jake O'Brien, Professor Kevin Thomas
Media
Enquiries
Contact Dr Ben Tscharke directly for media enquiries about:
- National Wastewater Drug Monitoring Program
- Wastewater drug testing
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