Overview
Background
Adrian Oehmen is an Associate Professor in the School of Chemical Engineering at the University of Queensland. He leads research in the area of bioprocess engineering, particularly focussing on wastewater treatment and resource recovery. His research interests include enhanced biological phosphorus removal (EBPR or BioP), metabolic modelling, biopolymer (polyhydroxyalkanoate – PHA) production, micropollutant removal and greenhouse gas (N2O) assessment and mitigation. He also focusses on other aspects of bioprocess engineering, including microbial encapsulation, bioprocess modelling and food and beverage applications. He has published more than 100 papers in international scientific journals, led or collaborated on more than 30 research projects (many with industry). He is active within the International Water Association (IWA), serving on specialist group and conference committees and is an Associate Editor of Water Research.
Availability
- Associate Professor Adrian Oehmen is:
- Available for supervision
- Media expert
Fields of research
Qualifications
- Doctor of Philosophy, The University of Queensland
Research interests
-
Wastewater Treatment
Domestic and Industrial Wastewater Treatment Technologies
-
Resource Recovery
Recovering Value-Added Products (e.g. Nutrients, Biopolymers) from Waste and Wastewater Streams
-
Biological Nutrient Removal
Biological Processes for Removing Nutrients such as Phosphorus and Nitrogen from Wastewater
-
Enhanced Biological Phosphorus Removal
Process Engineering, Microbiology and Metabolic Features associated with Biological Phosphorus Removal
-
Biopolymer Production
Mixed Culture Technologies focussed on the Production and Recovery of Biopolymers (e.g. Polyhydroxyalkanoates - PHA) from Waste/Wastewater Feedstocks
-
Greenhouse Gas Assessment and Mitigation
Measurement and Minimisation of Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Emissions from Wastewater Treatment Processes (e.g nitrous oxide - N2O)
-
Micropollutant Removal
The Removal of Pharmaceutical Active Compounds, Heavy Metals, and other Hazardous Substances from Wastewater using Biological and Physical-Chemical Approaches
-
Process Modelling
Process Modelling for Design, Optimisation and Control of Wastewater Treatment Processes.
-
Metabolic Modelling
Modelling the Metabolism Associated with Biological Processes and their Application towards Process Engineering
-
Anaerobic Digestion
Experimental and Modelling Studies focused on Fermentation and Biogas Production from Waste/Wastewater Feedstocks
-
Drinking Water Treatment
Heavy Metal Removal (e.g. Arsenic) from Drinking Water Supplies. Application of Ion Exchange Membrane Process Technologies for Drinking Water Treatment.
-
Phototrophic Processes
Light-Driven Biological Technologies for Value-Added Product Generation (e.g. PHA) from Wastewater
-
Bioremediation
Removal of Herbicides/Pesticides from Contaminated Waters
Works
Search Professor Adrian Oehmen’s works on UQ eSpace
2010
Journal Article
Modelling the population dynamics and metabolic diversity of organisms relevant in anaerobic/anoxic/aerobic enhanced biological phosphorus removal processes
Oehmen, A., Lopez-Vazquez, C. M., Carvalho, G., Reis, M. A. M. and van Loosdrecht, M. C. M. (2010). Modelling the population dynamics and metabolic diversity of organisms relevant in anaerobic/anoxic/aerobic enhanced biological phosphorus removal processes. Water Research, 44 (15), 4473-4486. doi: 10.1016/j.watres.2010.06.017
2010
Journal Article
Assessing the abundance and activity of denitrifying polyphosphate accumulating organisms through molecular and chemical techniques
Oehmen, Adrian, Carvalho, Gilda, Freitas, Filomena and Reis, Maria A. M. (2010). Assessing the abundance and activity of denitrifying polyphosphate accumulating organisms through molecular and chemical techniques. Water Science and Technology, 61 (8), 2061-2068. doi: 10.2166/wst.2010.976
2010
Journal Article
New framework for standardized notation in wastewater treatment modelling
Corominas, Ll., Rieger, L., Takacs, I., Ekama, G., Hauduc, H., Vanrolleghem, P.A., Oehmen, A., Gernaey, K.V., Van Loosdrecht, M.C.M. and Comeau, Y. (2010). New framework for standardized notation in wastewater treatment modelling. Water Science and Technology, 61 (4), 841-857. doi: 10.2166/wst.2010.912
2010
Journal Article
The source of reducing power in the anaerobic metabolism of polyphosphate accumulating organisms (PAOs): A mini-review
Zhou, Yan, Pijuan, Maite, Oehmen, Adrian and Yuan, Zhiguo (2010). The source of reducing power in the anaerobic metabolism of polyphosphate accumulating organisms (PAOs): A mini-review. Water Science and Technology, 61 (7), 1653-1662. doi: 10.2166/wst.2010.983
2010
Book Chapter
The microbiology of phosphorus removal
McMahon, Katherine D., He, Shaomei and Oehmen, Adrian (2010). The microbiology of phosphorus removal. Microbial ecology of activated sludge. (pp. 281-319) edited by Robert Seviour and Per Halkjaer Nielsen. London, United Kingdom: IWA Publishing.
2009
Journal Article
The effect of carbon source on the biological reduction of ionic mercury
Oehmen, A., Fradinho, J., Serra, S., Carvalho, G., Capelo, J. L., Velizarov, S., Crespo, J. G. and Reis, M. A. M. (2009). The effect of carbon source on the biological reduction of ionic mercury. Journal of Hazardous Materials, 165 (1-3), 1040-1048. doi: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2008.10.094
2009
Journal Article
Response to the comment on “Modelling the PAO-GAO competition: Effects of carbon source, pH and temperature” by Dwight Houweling et al.
van Loosdrecht, Mark C.M., Oehmen, Adrian, Hooijmans, Christine M., Brdjanovic, Damir, Gijzen, Huub J., Yuan, Zhiguo and Lopez-Vazquez, Carlos M. (2009). Response to the comment on “Modelling the PAO-GAO competition: Effects of carbon source, pH and temperature” by Dwight Houweling et al.. Water Research, 43 (11), 2950-2951. doi: 10.1016/j.watres.2009.03.043
2009
Journal Article
Robustness of sludge enriched with short SBR cycles for biological nutrient removal
Freitas, Filomena, Temudo, Margarida F., Carvalho, Gilda, Oehmen, Adrian and Reis, Maria A. M. (2009). Robustness of sludge enriched with short SBR cycles for biological nutrient removal. Bioresource Technology, 100 (6), 1969-1976. doi: 10.1016/j.biortech.2008.10.031
2009
Journal Article
Modeling the PAO–GAO competition: Effects of carbon source, pH and temperature
Lopez-Vazquez, Carlos M., Oehmen, Adrian, Hooijmans, Christine M., Brdjanovic, Damir, Gijzen, Huub J., Yuan, Zhiguo and van Loosdrecht, Mark C. M. (2009). Modeling the PAO–GAO competition: Effects of carbon source, pH and temperature. Water Research, 43 (2), 450-462. doi: 10.1016/j.watres.2008.10.032
2009
Conference Publication
The source of reducing power in the anaerobic metabolism of polyphosphate accumulating organisms (PAOs)-A mini-review
Zhou, Yan, Pijuan, Maite, Oehmen, Adrian and Yuan, Zhiguo (2009). The source of reducing power in the anaerobic metabolism of polyphosphate accumulating organisms (PAOs)-A mini-review. IWA 2nd Nutrient Management in Wastewater Treatment Processes Conference, Krakow, Poland, 6-9 September. Krakow, Poland: International Water Association.
2008
Journal Article
Disinfectant efficacy in distribution systems: A pilot-scale assessment
Gagnon, Graham A., Baribeau, Helene, Rutledge, Simon O., Dumancic, Robert, Oehmen, Adrian, Chauret, Christian and Andrews, Susan (2008). Disinfectant efficacy in distribution systems: A pilot-scale assessment. Journal of Water Supply Research and Technology-Aqua, 57 (7), 507-518. doi: 10.2166/aqua.2008.103
2008
Journal Article
Sludge population optimisation in biological nutrient removal wastewater treatment systems through on-line process control: a review
Yuan, Zhiguo, Yongzhen, Peng, Ma, Yong, Oehmen, Adrian and Keller, Jurg (2008). Sludge population optimisation in biological nutrient removal wastewater treatment systems through on-line process control: a review. Reviews in Environmental Science and Biotechnology, 7 (3), 243-254. doi: 10.1007/s11157-008-9134-y
2008
Journal Article
Metabolic modelling of polyhydroxyalkanoate copolymers production by mixed microbial cultures
Dias, Joao M. L., Oehmen, Adrian, Serafim, Luisa S., Lemos, Paulo C., Reis, Maria A. M. and Oliveira, Rui (2008). Metabolic modelling of polyhydroxyalkanoate copolymers production by mixed microbial cultures. Bmc Systems Biology, 2 (1) 59. doi: 10.1186/1752-0509-2-59
2008
Journal Article
Removal of inorganic charged micropollutants from drinking water supplies by hybrid ion exchange membrane processes
Velizarov, Svetlozar, Matos, Cristina, Oehmen, Adrian, Serra, Susana, Reis, Maria and Crespo, Joao (2008). Removal of inorganic charged micropollutants from drinking water supplies by hybrid ion exchange membrane processes. Desalination, 223 (1-3), 85-90. doi: 10.1016/j.desal.2007.01.217
2008
Journal Article
Characterizing the biochemical activity of full-scale enhanced biological phosphorus removal systems: A comparison with metabolic models
Pijuan, M., Oehmen, A., Baeza, J. A., Casas, C. and Yuan, Z. (2008). Characterizing the biochemical activity of full-scale enhanced biological phosphorus removal systems: A comparison with metabolic models. Biotechnology and Bioengineering, 99 (1), 170-179. doi: 10.1002/bit.21502
2007
Journal Article
Development and implementation of a nonparametric/metabolic model in the process optimisation of PHA production by mixed microbial cultures
Miguel Lopes Dias, Joao, Lemos, Paulo, Serafim, Luisa, Oehmen, Adrian, A. M. Reis, Maria and Oliveira, Rui (2007). Development and implementation of a nonparametric/metabolic model in the process optimisation of PHA production by mixed microbial cultures. Computer Aided Chemical Engineering, 24, 995-1000. doi: 10.1016/S1570-7946(07)80190-8
2007
Journal Article
Modeling the aerobic metabolism of polyphosphate-accumulating organisms enriched with propionate as a carbon source
Oehmen, Adrian, Zeng, Raymond J., Keller, Jurg and Yuan, Zhiguo (2007). Modeling the aerobic metabolism of polyphosphate-accumulating organisms enriched with propionate as a carbon source. Water Environment Research, 79 (13), 2477-2486. doi: 10.1002/j.1554-7531.2007.tb00347.x
2007
Journal Article
Denitrifying phosphorus removal: linking the process performance with the microbial community structure
Carvalho, Gilda, Lemos, Paulo C., Oehmen, Adrian and Reis, Maria A. M. (2007). Denitrifying phosphorus removal: linking the process performance with the microbial community structure. Water Research, 41 (19), 4383-4396. doi: 10.1016/j.watres.2007.06.065
2007
Journal Article
Can sample treatments based on advanced oxidation processes assisted by high-intensity focused ultrasound be used for toxic arsenic determination in human urine by flow-injection hydride-generation atomic absorption spectrometry?
Correia, A., Galesio, M., Santos, H., Rial-Otero, R., Lodeiro, C., Oehmen, A., Conceicao, Antonio C. L. and Capelo, J. L. (2007). Can sample treatments based on advanced oxidation processes assisted by high-intensity focused ultrasound be used for toxic arsenic determination in human urine by flow-injection hydride-generation atomic absorption spectrometry?. Talanta, 72 (3), 968-975. doi: 10.1016/j.talanta.2006.12.040
2007
Journal Article
Advances in enhanced biological phosphorus removal: from micro to macro scale
Oehmen, A. M., Lemos, P. C., Carvalho, G., Yuan, Z., Keller, J., Blackall, L. L. and Reis, M. A. M. (2007). Advances in enhanced biological phosphorus removal: from micro to macro scale. Water Research, 41 (11), 2271-2300. doi: 10.1016/j.watres.2007.02.030
Funding
Current funding
Past funding
Supervision
Availability
- Associate Professor Adrian Oehmen is:
- Available for supervision
Before you email them, read our advice on how to contact a supervisor.
Supervision history
Current supervision
-
Doctor Philosophy
The development of process control strategies to optimise biological phosphorus removal and recovery
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Associate Professor Gilda Carvalho, Professor Liu Ye
-
Doctor Philosophy
Metabolic Modelling of Fermentative and Conventional Polyphosphate Accumulating Organisms in Enhanced Biological Phosphorus Removal
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Damien Batstone
-
Master Philosophy
Biological methods to identify and quantify PAO/GAO microorganisms and their activity in wastewater treatment
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Associate Professor Gilda Carvalho
-
Doctor Philosophy
Integrated model-based assessment of the impact of sidestream biological phosphorus removal processes on resource recovery in wastewater treatment systems
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Damien Batstone
-
Doctor Philosophy
Application of novel immobilized microbial enrichment for intensified removal of nutrients from water
Principal Advisor
-
Doctor Philosophy
Sustainable and cost-effective biological phosphorus removal technology in urban water systems
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Associate Professor Gilda Carvalho, Professor Liu Ye
-
Doctor Philosophy
Metabolic Modelling of Fermentative and Conventional Polyphosphate Accumulating Organisms in Enhanced Biological Phosphorus Removal
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Damien Batstone
-
Doctor Philosophy
Novel halophilic biotechnology for PHA production from sugar
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Steven Pratt, Dr Lisa Bai, Dr Ian Levett
-
Doctor Philosophy
Application of novel immobilized microbial enrichment for intensified removal of sulfate from mining influenced waters and recovery of metals
Principal Advisor
-
Doctor Philosophy
A sustainable biological nutrient removal and recovery process for cost-effective wastewater treatment
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Associate Professor Gilda Carvalho, Professor Liu Ye
-
Master Philosophy
Biological methods to identify and quantify PAO/GAO microorganisms and their activity in wastewater treatment
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Associate Professor Gilda Carvalho
-
Doctor Philosophy
Metabolic Modelling of Fermentative and Conventional Polyphosphate Accumulating Organisms in Enhanced Biological Phosphorus Removal
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Damien Batstone
-
Doctor Philosophy
Developing a novel taste and odour removal process for drinking water
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Associate Professor Shihu Hu, Associate Professor Gilda Carvalho
-
Doctor Philosophy
Investigating novel microbes for simultaneous nutrient removal from wastewater in Carbon Neutral era
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Liu Ye, Dr Zhiyao Wang
-
Doctor Philosophy
Enzyme-assisted deconstruction of lignocellulose and reconstruction into high value bio-derived advanced materials
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Mike Tebyetekerwa, Professor Darren Martin
-
Doctor Philosophy
Novel Phosphorous accumulating organisms in next generation wastewater treatment systems
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Liu Ye
Completed supervision
-
2025
Doctor Philosophy
Metabolic Modelling of Fermentative and Conventional Polyphosphate Accumulating Organisms in Enhanced Biological Phosphorus Removal
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Damien Batstone
-
2023
Doctor Philosophy
The return activated sludge sidestream process and the role of Tetrasphaera, a fermenting polyphosphate accumulating organism
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Liu Ye
-
2022
Doctor Philosophy
Achieving and Understanding Combined Biological Phosphorus Removal and Short-cut Nitrogen in Wastewater Treatment Processes
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Honorary Professor Zhiguo Yuan, Professor Liu Ye
Media
Enquiries
Contact Associate Professor Adrian Oehmen directly for media enquiries about:
- Bioprocess Engineering
- Wastewater Treatment
Need help?
For help with finding experts, story ideas and media enquiries, contact our Media team: