Overview
Background
Dr Ben Tscharke is an analytical chemist with a keen interest in quantifying analytes in environmental samples. Ben is currently a Senior 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 leads the Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission's National Wastewater Drug Monitoring program at UQ, which 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
-
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
2014
Journal Article
Towards finding a population biomarker for wastewater epidemiology studies
Chen, Chang, Kostakis, Chris, Gerber, Jacobus P., Tscharke, Ben J., Irvine, Rodney J. and White, Jason M. (2014). Towards finding a population biomarker for wastewater epidemiology studies. Science of the Total Environment, 487 (1), 621-628. doi: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2013.11.075
2014
Conference Publication
Estimation of stimulant use in metropolitan Adelaide by wastewater analysis
Tscharke, Ben, Chen, Chang, Gerber, Cobus and White, Jason (2014). Estimation of stimulant use in metropolitan Adelaide by wastewater analysis. Australian and New Zealand Forensic Science Society, Adelaide, 31 August-4 September 2014.
2013
Conference Publication
Waste Water Analysis of Illicit Drug Use in the Population
Hall, Wayne, White, Jason, Lai, Foonyin, Gerber, Cobus, Chen, Chang, Tscharke, Ben and White, Jason (2013). Waste Water Analysis of Illicit Drug Use in the Population. Australasian Professional Society on Alcohol and other Drugs (APSAD) conference, Brisbane, QLD Australia, 24 - 27 November 1013. Chichester, West Sussex, United Kingdom: Wiley-Blackwell Publishing Ltd.. doi: 10.1111/dar.12077
Supervision
Availability
- Dr Ben Tscharke is:
- Available for supervision
Before you email them, read our advice on how to contact a supervisor.
Supervision history
Current supervision
-
Doctor Philosophy
Using multiple data sources to understand the opioid crisis in Australia
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Jason Connor, Associate Professor Phong Thai
-
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
A Wastewater-based Epidemiology Study on the Consumption Characteristics, Prevalence, and Risk Assessment of Psychoactive Substances in Australia
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Qiuda Zheng, Associate Professor Phong Thai
-
Doctor Philosophy
Optimizing Sample Size for Trend Detection in Human and Environmental Monitoring Using Simulation-Based Power Analysis
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Jochen Mueller, Associate Professor Gary Chung Kai Chan
Completed supervision
-
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
-
2025
Doctor Philosophy
Estimating use of nicotine containing products and evaluating tobacco-related health risks through wastewater analysis
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Jochen Mueller, Dr Jake O'Brien, Professor Kevin Thomas, 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: Professor Jochen Mueller, Dr Jake O'Brien, Professor Kevin Thomas
-
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
-
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
Need help?
For help with finding experts, story ideas and media enquiries, contact our Media team: