Overview
Background
Dr Phong Thai is an ARC Mid-Career Industry Fellow. Phong joined Queensland Alliance for Environmental Health Sciences (QAEHS) in 2018 after his Vice Chancellor Senior Research Fellowship at the International Laboratory of Air Quality and Health at Queensland University of Technology. His research focus at QAEHS involves the expansion of wastewater-based epidemiological approach to estimate community consumption and exposure to a range of licit and illicit substances including tobacco and alcohol, pharmaceuticals and as well as the monitoring of community infection to Covid-19 during the last pandemic. He is a member of the team who manage the National Wastewater Drug Monitoring Program.
Phong is also working on projects monitoring occurence, fate and transport of environmental pollutants in different matrices. He has lso far ed or contributed to several exciting projects totalling > A$ 15 millions.
Availability
- Associate Professor Phong Thai is:
- Available for supervision
Fields of research
Qualifications
- Doctor of Philosophy, Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology
- Graduate Certificate of Education & Teaching, The University of Queensland
Research interests
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Wastewater-based epidemiology
Identifying markers for population exposure estimation through wastewater-based epidemiology
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Air quality and its impact
Developing new approach to monitor air quality and linking exposure to air pollutants to health impact
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Legacy persistent pollutants
Assessment of the fate and transport of persistent pollutants including PFAS, flame retardants, in the environment
Works
Search Professor Phong Thai’s works on UQ eSpace
2014
Journal Article
A model to estimate the population contributing to the wastewater using samples collected on census day
O'Brien, Jake W., Thai, Phong K., Eaglesham, Geoff, Ort, Christoph, Scheidegger, Andreas, Carter, Steve, Lai, Foon Yin and Mueller, Jochen F. (2014). A model to estimate the population contributing to the wastewater using samples collected on census day. Environmental Science and Technology, 48 (1), 517-525. doi: 10.1021/es403251g
2014
Journal Article
Commentary on Ort etal. (2014): What next to deliver on the promise of large scale sewage-based drug epidemiology?
Bruno, Raimondo, Hall, Wayne, Kirkbride, K. Paul, Lai, Foon Yin, O'Brien, Jake W., Prichard, Jeremy, Thai, Phong K. and Mueller, Jochen F. (2014). Commentary on Ort etal. (2014): What next to deliver on the promise of large scale sewage-based drug epidemiology?. Addiction, 109 (8), 1353-1354. doi: 10.1111/add.12651
2014
Conference Publication
Refining the Excretion Factor for the Back-Estimation of Methadone Consumption in Sewer Epidemiology
Thai, Phong K., Van Dyken, Emma, Banks, Andrew, Lai, Foonyin, O'Brien, Jake, Bruno, Raimondo, Hall, Wayne D., Prichard, Jeremy and Mueller, Jochen F. (2014). Refining the Excretion Factor for the Back-Estimation of Methadone Consumption in Sewer Epidemiology. Australasian Professional Society on Alcohol and other Drugs Conference 2014, Adelaide, SA Australia, 9-12 November 2014. Chichester, West Sussex, United Kingdom: Wiley-Blackwell Publishing. doi: 10.1111/dar.12222
2014
Journal Article
Effects of sewer conditions on the degradation of selected illicit drug residues in wastewater
Thai, Phong K., Jiang, Guangming, Gernjak, Wolfgang, Yuan, Zhiguo, Lai, Foon Yin and Mueller, Jochen F. (2014). Effects of sewer conditions on the degradation of selected illicit drug residues in wastewater. Water Research, 48 (1), 538-547. doi: 10.1016/j.watres.2013.10.019
2013
Journal Article
Estimating daily and diurnal variations of illicit drug use in Hong Kong: A pilot study of using wastewater analysis in an Asian metropolitan city
Lai, Foon Yin, Bruno, Raimondo, Leung, Ho Wing, Thai, Phong K., Ort, Christoph, Carter, Steve, Thompson, Kristie, Lam, Paul K. S. and Mueller, Jochen F. (2013). Estimating daily and diurnal variations of illicit drug use in Hong Kong: A pilot study of using wastewater analysis in an Asian metropolitan city. Forensic Science International, 233 (1-3), 126-132. doi: 10.1016/j.forsciint.2013.09.003
2013
Journal Article
Using quantitative wastewater analysis to measure daily usage of conventional and emerging illicit drugs at an annual music festival
Lai, Foon Yin, Thai, Phong K., O'Brien, Jake., Gartner, Coral, Bruno, Raimondo, Kele, Benjamin, Ort, Christoph, Prichard, Jeremy, Kirkbride, Paul, Hall, Wayne, Carter, Steve and Mueller, Jochen F. (2013). Using quantitative wastewater analysis to measure daily usage of conventional and emerging illicit drugs at an annual music festival. Drug and Alcohol Review, 32 (6), 594-602. doi: 10.1111/dar.12061
2013
Journal Article
Profiles of illicit drug use during annual key holiday and control periods in Australia: wastewater analysis in an urban, a semi-rural and a vacation area
Lai, Foon Yin, Bruno, Raimondo, Hall, Wayne, Gartner, Coral, Ort, Christoph, Kirkbride, Paul, Prichard, Jeremy, Thai, Phong K., Carter, Steve and Mueller, Jochen F. (2013). Profiles of illicit drug use during annual key holiday and control periods in Australia: wastewater analysis in an urban, a semi-rural and a vacation area. Addiction, 108 (3), 556-565. doi: 10.1111/add.12006
2013
Journal Article
Measuring load of phosphate in the environment by passive sampling techniques - an introduction
Phong, Thai Khanh, Phuc, Dam Hoang, Phi, Thai Ha and Hiramatsu, Kazuaki (2013). Measuring load of phosphate in the environment by passive sampling techniques - an introduction. Journal of the Faculty of Agriculture Kyushu University, 58 (1), 153-157. doi: 10.5109/26175
2013
Conference Publication
Effects of sewer conditions on the dissipation of illicit drug residues and metabolites in wastewater
Jiang, Guangming, Thai, Phong, Gernjak, Wolfgang, Yuan, Zhiguo and Mueller, Jochen (2013). Effects of sewer conditions on the dissipation of illicit drug residues and metabolites in wastewater. SPN7 2013: 7th International Conference on Sewer Processes and Networks, Sheffield, UK., 28-30 August, 2013.
2012
Journal Article
Temporal trend of pesticide concentrations in the Chikugo River (Japan) with changes in environmental regulation and field infrastructure
Phong, Thai Khanh, Inoue, Tsuyoshi, Yoshino, Katsunori, Hiramatsu, Kazuaki and Dang, Thi Tuyet Nhung (2012). Temporal trend of pesticide concentrations in the Chikugo River (Japan) with changes in environmental regulation and field infrastructure. Agricultural Water Management, 113, 96-104. doi: 10.1016/j.agwat.2012.07.002
2012
Journal Article
An analysis of ethical issues in using wastewater analysis to monitor illicit drug use
Hall, Wayne, Prichard, Jeremy, Kirkbride, Paul, Bruno, Raimondo, Thai, Phong K., Gartner, Coral, Lai, Foon Yin, Ort, Christoph and Mueller, Jochen F. (2012). An analysis of ethical issues in using wastewater analysis to monitor illicit drug use. Addiction, 107 (10), 1767-1773. doi: 10.1111/j.1360-0443.2012.03887.x
2012
Journal Article
Measuring drug use patterns in Queensland through wastewater analysis
Prichard, Jeremy, Lai, Foon Yin, Kirkbride, Paul, Bruno, Raimondo, Ort, Christoph, Carter, Steve, Hall, Wayne, Gartner, Coral, Thai, Phong K . and Mueller, Jochen F. (2012). Measuring drug use patterns in Queensland through wastewater analysis. Trends and Issues in Crime and Criminal Justice, 442 (442).
2012
Journal Article
Erratum to: Fate and transport of bensulfuron-methyl and imazosulfuron in paddy fields: experiments and model simulation (Paddy Water Environ, 10.1007/s10333-011-0276-0)
Takagi, Kazuhiro, Fajardo, Ferdinand F., Ishizaka, Masumi, Phong, Thai Khanh, Watanabe, Hirozumi and Boulange, Julien (2012). Erratum to: Fate and transport of bensulfuron-methyl and imazosulfuron in paddy fields: experiments and model simulation (Paddy Water Environ, 10.1007/s10333-011-0276-0). Paddy and Water Environment, 10 (2), 161-162. doi: 10.1007/s10333-011-0285-z
2012
Journal Article
Fate and transport of bensulfuron-methyl and imazosulfuron in paddy fields: Experiments and model simulation
Takagi, Kazuhiro, Fajardo, Ferdinand F., Ishizaka, Masumi, Phong, Thai Khanh, Watanabe, Hirozumi and Boulange, Julien (2012). Fate and transport of bensulfuron-methyl and imazosulfuron in paddy fields: Experiments and model simulation. Paddy and Water Environment, 10 (2), 139-151. doi: 10.1007/s10333-011-0276-0
2012
Journal Article
Applications of passive sampling techniques in monitoring organic pollutants in the environment
Phong, Thai Khanh, Phuc, Dam Hoang, Tuan, Le Anh, Phi, Thai Ha and Hiramatsu, Kazuaki (2012). Applications of passive sampling techniques in monitoring organic pollutants in the environment. Journal of the Faculty of Agriculture Kyushu University, 57 (1), 169-174. doi: 10.5109/22068
2012
Conference Publication
Forensic epidemiology: estimating illicit drug prevalence at a music festival through wastewater analysis
Lai, F. Y., Thai, P. K., Ort, C., O'Brien, J., Kele, B., Hall, W., Gartner, C., Bruno, R., Kirkbride, P. and Mueller, J. F. (2012). Forensic epidemiology: estimating illicit drug prevalence at a music festival through wastewater analysis. 21st International Symposium on the Forensic Sciences, Hobart, TAS Australia, 23-27 September 2012.
2012
Journal Article
Probabilistic assessment of herbicide runoff from Japanese rice paddies: the effects of local meteorological conditions and site-specific water management
Kondo, Kei, Boulange, Julien, Phong, Thai Khanh, Hiramatsu, Kazuaki, Inoue, Tsuyoshi and Watanabe, Hirozumi (2012). Probabilistic assessment of herbicide runoff from Japanese rice paddies: the effects of local meteorological conditions and site-specific water management. Journal of Pesticide Science, 37 (4), 312-322. doi: 10.1584/jpestics.D11-058
2012
Journal Article
イミダクロプリドの製剤および施用方法の違いが 水田に生息する水生昆虫に及ぼす影響
Motobayashi, Takashi, Genka, Masaaki, Phong, Thai Khanh and Watanabe, Hirozumi (2012). イミダクロプリドの製剤および施用方法の違いが 水田に生息する水生昆虫に及ぼす影響. Japanese Journal of Applied Entomology and Zoology, 56 (4), 169-172. doi: 10.1303/jjaez.2012.169
2012
Conference Publication
Wastewater "epidemiology": competitor or complement to survey studies?
Lai, F. Y., Thai, P. K., O'Brien, J., Mueller, J. F., Ort, C., Carter, S., Eaglesham, G., Prichard, J., Bruno, R., van Dyken, E., Hall, W., Gartner, C., Humphries, M. and Karpievitch, Y. (2012). Wastewater "epidemiology": competitor or complement to survey studies?. 2012 National Drug Trends Conference. Drugs, crime and the front-line: Australiasian perspective, Sydney, NSW Australia, 9 October 2012.
2012
Journal Article
Analysis of parameter uncertainty and sensitivity in PCPF-1 modeling for predicting concentrations of rice herbicides
Boulange, Julien, Kondo, Kei, Phong, Thai Khanh and Watanabe, Hirozumi (2012). Analysis of parameter uncertainty and sensitivity in PCPF-1 modeling for predicting concentrations of rice herbicides. Journal of Pesticide Science, 37 (4), 323-332. doi: 10.1584/jpestics.D12-036
Funding
Current funding
Supervision
Availability
- Associate Professor Phong Thai is:
- Available for supervision
Before you email them, read our advice on how to contact a supervisor.
Supervision history
Current supervision
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Doctor Philosophy
The metabolic syndrome in relation to nutritional status among adults in Vietnam
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Abdullah Mamun, Associate Professor Dung Phung
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Doctor Philosophy
Assessing and modelling spatiotemporal trends in drug consumptions in the community by wastewater-based epidemiology
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Jochen Mueller, Dr Jiaying Li, Dr Jiuling Li
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Doctor Philosophy
A Wastewater-based Epidemiology Study on the Consumption Characteristics, Prevalence, and Risk Assessment of Psychoactive Substances in Australia
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Qiuda Zheng, Dr Ben Tscharke
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Doctor Philosophy
Assessment of biomarker transformation in the wastewater system
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Jake O'Brien, Dr Qiuda Zheng
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Doctor Philosophy
Social norms toward cigarette smoking and other nicotine product use: trends and influences across populations and regulatory contexts
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Jason Connor, Professor Coral Gartner, Associate Professor Gary Chung Kai Chan
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Doctor Philosophy
Using multiple data sources to understand the opioid crisis in Australia
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Jason Connor, Dr Ben Tscharke
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Doctor Philosophy
Human exposure pathways for per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS)
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Jochen Mueller, Dr Fisher Wang
Completed supervision
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2025
Doctor Philosophy
Estimating use of nicotine containing products and evaluating tobacco-related health risks through wastewater analysis
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Jochen Mueller, Dr Jake O'Brien, Professor Kevin Thomas, Dr Ben Tscharke
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2025
Master Philosophy
Exposure to third-hand smoke of methamphetamine: investigation of the extent of contamination including airborne methamphetamine
Principal Advisor
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2022
Doctor Philosophy
An assessment of alcohol and tobacco consumption by wastewater-based epidemiology
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Jochen Mueller, Dr Jake O'Brien, Professor Kevin Thomas, Dr Ben Tscharke
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2023
Doctor Philosophy
Traffic-related air pollution: impact on respiratory health and attitudes to self-protective behaviours amongst urban Vietnamese children
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Associate Professor Dung Phung, Professor Peter Sly
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2022
Doctor Philosophy
Transformation and fate of organic micropollutants in the urban wastewater system
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Jochen Mueller, Honorary Professor Zhiguo Yuan
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2020
Doctor Philosophy
Emerging organic contaminants in wastewater treatment plants
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Associate Professor Sarit Kaserzon, Professor Jochen Mueller
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2019
Doctor Philosophy
Evaluating the Effects of Atmospheric Environment on Children's Health in Hanoi, Vietnam
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Jochen Mueller, Professor Peter Sly, Associate Professor Dung Phung
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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: Dr Jake O'Brien, Professor Jochen Mueller
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2019
Doctor Philosophy
Organophosphate esters in the Australian environment: sources, fate, and human exposure
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Fisher Wang, Professor Jochen Mueller
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2017
Doctor Philosophy
Emissions of Selected Semivolatile Organic Chemicals from Open-field Biomass Burning and Its Role as an Air Pollution Source in Australia
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Jochen Mueller
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2017
Doctor Philosophy
Refining the uncertainties and expansion of wastewater-based epidemiology for assessing population exposure to chemicals
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Associate Professor Sarit Kaserzon, Professor Jochen Mueller
Media
Enquiries
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