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Associate Professor Phong Thai
Associate Professor

Phong Thai

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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

Qualifications

  • Doctor of Philosophy, Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology
  • Graduate Certificate of Education & Teaching, The University of Queensland

Research interests

  • Wastewater-based epidemiology

    Identifying markers for population exposure estimation through wastewater-based epidemiology

  • Air quality and its impact

    Developing new approach to monitor air quality and linking exposure to air pollutants to health impact

  • 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

294 works between 2006 and 2026

81 - 100 of 294 works

2022

Journal Article

Formation and Fate of Perfluoroalkyl Acids (PFAAs) in a laboratory-scale urban wastewater system

Li, Yijing, Bräunig, Jennifer, Thai, Phong K., Rebosura, Mario, Mueller, Jochen F. and Yuan, Zhiguo (2022). Formation and Fate of Perfluoroalkyl Acids (PFAAs) in a laboratory-scale urban wastewater system. Water Research, 216 118295, 118295. doi: 10.1016/j.watres.2022.118295

Formation and Fate of Perfluoroalkyl Acids (PFAAs) in a laboratory-scale urban wastewater system

2022

Journal Article

The protective effect of green space on heat-related respiratory hospitalization among children under 5 years of age in Hanoi, Vietnam

Nguyen, Vien Truong, Doan, Quang-Van, Tran, Ngoc Nguyen, Luong, Ly Thi Mai, Chinh, Pham Minh, Thai, Phong K., Phung, Dung, Le, Hong H. T. C. and Dang, Tran Ngoc (2022). The protective effect of green space on heat-related respiratory hospitalization among children under 5 years of age in Hanoi, Vietnam. Environmental Science and Pollution Research, 29 (49), 74197-74207. doi: 10.1007/s11356-022-21064-6

The protective effect of green space on heat-related respiratory hospitalization among children under 5 years of age in Hanoi, Vietnam

2022

Journal Article

A nationwide wastewater-based assessment of metformin consumption across Australia

Yang, Dan, Zheng, Qiuda, Thai, Phong, Ahmed, Fahad, O'Brien, Jake W., Mueller, Jochen F., Thomas, Kevin V. and Tscharke, Ben (2022). A nationwide wastewater-based assessment of metformin consumption across Australia. Environment International, 165 107282, 107282. doi: 10.1016/j.envint.2022.107282

A nationwide wastewater-based assessment of metformin consumption across Australia

2022

Journal Article

Transformation and fate of pharmaceuticals, personal care products, and per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances during aerobic digestion of anaerobically digested sludge

Li, Yijing, Thompson, Jack, Wang, Zhiyao, Bräunig, Jennifer, Zheng, Qiuda, Thai, Phong K., Mueller, Jochen F. and Yuan, Zhiguo (2022). Transformation and fate of pharmaceuticals, personal care products, and per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances during aerobic digestion of anaerobically digested sludge. Water Research, 219 118568, 118568. doi: 10.1016/j.watres.2022.118568

Transformation and fate of pharmaceuticals, personal care products, and per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances during aerobic digestion of anaerobically digested sludge

2022

Journal Article

Burden of asthma-like symptoms and a lack of recognition of asthma in Vietnamese children

Le, Hong H.T.C, Le An, Pham, Vinh, Nguyen Nhu, Ware, Robert S, Phung, Dung, Thai, Phong K., Ranganathan, Sarath, Dang, Tran Ngoc, Dung, Phan Hoang Thuy, Thuong, Do Thi Hoai, Phung, Hai, Hien, To Thi and Sly, Peter D. (2022). Burden of asthma-like symptoms and a lack of recognition of asthma in Vietnamese children. The Journal of Asthma, 60 (3), 1-17. doi: 10.1080/02770903.2022.2066002

Burden of asthma-like symptoms and a lack of recognition of asthma in Vietnamese children

2022

Journal Article

Prevalence of illicit drug consumption in a population of Hanoi: an estimation using wastewater-based epidemiology

Hue, Tran Thi Thanh, Zheng, Qiuda, Anh, Nguyen Thi Kieu, Binh, Vu Ngan, Trung, Ngo Quang, Trang, Hoang Thu, Chinh, Pham Quoc, Minh, Luu Quang and Thai, Phong K. (2022). Prevalence of illicit drug consumption in a population of Hanoi: an estimation using wastewater-based epidemiology. Science of the Total Environment, 815 152724, 152724. doi: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2021.152724

Prevalence of illicit drug consumption in a population of Hanoi: an estimation using wastewater-based epidemiology

2022

Journal Article

Prevalence of metabolic syndrome and its related factors among Vietnamese people: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Dang, Anh Kim, Le, Huong Thi, Nguyen, Giang Thu, Mamun, Abdullah A., Do, Khanh Nam, Thi Nguyen, Lan Huong, Thai, Phong K. and Phung, Dung (2022). Prevalence of metabolic syndrome and its related factors among Vietnamese people: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Diabetes & Metabolic Syndrome: Clinical Research & Reviews, 16 (4) 102477, 1-12. doi: 10.1016/j.dsx.2022.102477

Prevalence of metabolic syndrome and its related factors among Vietnamese people: A systematic review and meta-analysis

2022

Journal Article

Background release and potential point sources of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances to municipal wastewater treatment plants across Australia

Nguyen, Hue T., McLachlan, Michael S., Tscharke, Ben, Thai, Phong, Braeunig, Jennifer, Kaserzon, Sarit, O'Brien, Jake W. and Mueller, Jochen F. (2022). Background release and potential point sources of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances to municipal wastewater treatment plants across Australia. Chemosphere, 293 133657, 133657. doi: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2022.133657

Background release and potential point sources of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances to municipal wastewater treatment plants across Australia

2022

Journal Article

Detecting long temporal trends of photosystem II herbicides (PSII) in the Great Barrier Reef lagoon

Taucare, Grechel, Bignert, Anders, Kaserzon, Sarit, Thai, Phong, Mann, Reinier M., Gallen, Christie and Mueller, Jochen (2022). Detecting long temporal trends of photosystem II herbicides (PSII) in the Great Barrier Reef lagoon. Marine Pollution Bulletin, 177 113490, 113490. doi: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2022.113490

Detecting long temporal trends of photosystem II herbicides (PSII) in the Great Barrier Reef lagoon

2022

Journal Article

Direct injection analysis of oxypurinol and metformin in wastewater by hydrophilic interaction liquid chromatography coupled to tandem mass spectrometry

Zheng, Qiuda, Dewapriya, Pradeep, Eaglesham, Geoff, Reeks, Tim, Thompson, Jack, Ahmed, Fahad, Prasad, Pritesh, Thomas, Kevin V., Mueller, Jochen F. and Thai, Phong K. (2022). Direct injection analysis of oxypurinol and metformin in wastewater by hydrophilic interaction liquid chromatography coupled to tandem mass spectrometry. Drug Testing and Analysis, 14 (8), 1519-1524. doi: 10.1002/dta.3266

Direct injection analysis of oxypurinol and metformin in wastewater by hydrophilic interaction liquid chromatography coupled to tandem mass spectrometry

2022

Journal Article

In situ calibration of passive samplers for viruses in wastewater

Li, Jiaying, Verhagen, Rory, Ahmed, Warish, Metcalfe, Suzanne, Thai, Phong K., Kaserzon, Sarit L., Smith, Wendy J. M., Schang, Christelle, Simpson, Stuart L., Thomas, Kevin V., Mueller, Jochen F. and Mccarthy, David (2022). In situ calibration of passive samplers for viruses in wastewater. ACS ES&T Water, 2 (11) acsestwater.1c00406, 1881-1890. doi: 10.1021/acsestwater.1c00406

In situ calibration of passive samplers for viruses in wastewater

2022

Journal Article

In-sewer stability assessment of anabolic steroids and selective androgen receptor modulators

Shimko, Katja M., O’Brien, Jake W., Li, Jiaying, Tscharke, Benjamin J., Brooker, Lance, Thai, Phong K., Choi, Phil M., Samanipour, Saer and Thomas, Kevin V. (2022). In-sewer stability assessment of anabolic steroids and selective androgen receptor modulators. Environmental Science and Technology, 56 (3) acs.est.1c03047, 1627-1638. doi: 10.1021/acs.est.1c03047

In-sewer stability assessment of anabolic steroids and selective androgen receptor modulators

2022

Journal Article

Minimizing errors in RT-PCR detection and quantification of SARS-CoV-2 RNA for wastewater surveillance

Ahmed, Warish, Simpson, Stuart L., Bertsch, Paul M., Bibby, Kyle, Bivins, Aaron, Blackall, Linda L., Bofill-Mas, Sílvia, Bosch, Albert, Brandão, João, Choi, Phil M., Ciesielski, Mark, Donner, Erica, D'Souza, Nishita, Farnleitner, Andreas H., Gerrity, Daniel, Gonzalez, Raul, Griffith, John F., Gyawali, Pradip, Haas, Charles N., Hamilton, Kerry A., Hapuarachchi, Hapuarachchige Chanditha, Harwood, Valerie J., Haque, Rehnuma, Jackson, Greg, Khan, Stuart J., Khan, Wesaal, Kitajima, Masaaki, Korajkic, Asja, La Rosa, Giuseppina ... Shanks, Orin C. (2022). Minimizing errors in RT-PCR detection and quantification of SARS-CoV-2 RNA for wastewater surveillance. Science of the Total Environment, 805 149877, 149877. doi: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2021.149877

Minimizing errors in RT-PCR detection and quantification of SARS-CoV-2 RNA for wastewater surveillance

2022

Journal Article

Inhibition of bacterial adherence on stainless steel coupons by surface conditioning with selected polar lipids

Dat, Nguyen Manh, Phuong, Thai Minh, Thu, Nguyen Thi, Phong, Thai Khanh and Uchino, Toshitaka (2022). Inhibition of bacterial adherence on stainless steel coupons by surface conditioning with selected polar lipids. Journal of Food Safety, 42 (2) e12956. doi: 10.1111/jfs.12956

Inhibition of bacterial adherence on stainless steel coupons by surface conditioning with selected polar lipids

2022

Journal Article

Assessing alcohol consumption in a Chinese urban population and a university town using high temporal resolution wastewater-based epidemiology

Zheng, Qiuda, Chan, Gary C.K., Wang, Zhe, Connor, Jason P., Ren, Yuan and Thai, Phong K. (2022). Assessing alcohol consumption in a Chinese urban population and a university town using high temporal resolution wastewater-based epidemiology. Drug and Alcohol Dependence, 230 109178, 109178. doi: 10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2021.109178

Assessing alcohol consumption in a Chinese urban population and a university town using high temporal resolution wastewater-based epidemiology

2021

Journal Article

The impact of COVID-19 on antidepressant sales and prescription dispensing in Australia

Tscharke, Ben J., Hollingworth, Samantha, van Driel, Mieke L., O’Brien, Jake W. and Thai, Phong K. (2021). The impact of COVID-19 on antidepressant sales and prescription dispensing in Australia. Australian and New Zealand Journal of Psychiatry, 56 (7), 000486742110683-872. doi: 10.1177/00048674211068396

The impact of COVID-19 on antidepressant sales and prescription dispensing in Australia

2021

Journal Article

Assessment of total concentrations of heavy metals in industrial sludges from the North of Vietnam and their potential impact on the ecosystem

Van Thinh, Nguyen, Chung, Nguyen Thuy, Luong, Ly Thi Mai, Chinh, Pham Minh, Anh, Phan Phuong, Huy, Nguyen The, Thuy, Dang Thi and Thai, Phong K. (2021). Assessment of total concentrations of heavy metals in industrial sludges from the North of Vietnam and their potential impact on the ecosystem. Environmental Science and Pollution Research, 29 (28), 42055-42066. doi: 10.1007/s11356-021-17619-8

Assessment of total concentrations of heavy metals in industrial sludges from the North of Vietnam and their potential impact on the ecosystem

2021

Journal Article

Analysing wastewater to estimate fentanyl and tramadol use in major Chinese cities

Du, Peng, Zhou, Zilei, Wang, Zhenglu, Xu, Zeqiong, Zheng, Qiuda, Li, Xinyue, He, Jia, Li, Xiqing, Cheng, Hongguang and Thai, Phong K. (2021). Analysing wastewater to estimate fentanyl and tramadol use in major Chinese cities. Science of the Total Environment, 795 148838, 148838. doi: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2021.148838

Analysing wastewater to estimate fentanyl and tramadol use in major Chinese cities

2021

Journal Article

The impact of incense burning on indoor PM2.5 concentrations in residential houses in Hanoi, Vietnam

Long, K. Tran, Lidia, Morawska, Quang, Tran N., E. Rohan, Jayaratne, Hue, Nguyen T., Dat, Mac V., Phi, Thai Ha and Thai, Phong K. (2021). The impact of incense burning on indoor PM2.5 concentrations in residential houses in Hanoi, Vietnam. Building and Environment, 205 108228, 1-10. doi: 10.1016/j.buildenv.2021.108228

The impact of incense burning on indoor PM2.5 concentrations in residential houses in Hanoi, Vietnam

2021

Journal Article

Estimating population‐level of alcohol, tobacco and morphine use in a small Russian region using wastewater‐based epidemiology

Rozhanets, Vladimir V., Thai, Phong K., Silantyev, Artemy S., Gandlevskiy, Nikita A., Connor, Jason P., Eganov, Alexander A., Jang, Mongjoo, Pirogov, Andrey V., Shpigun, Oleg A., Priadka, Aleksey and Nosyrev, Alexander E. (2021). Estimating population‐level of alcohol, tobacco and morphine use in a small Russian region using wastewater‐based epidemiology. Drug and Alcohol Review, 40 (7), 1186-1194. doi: 10.1111/dar.13334

Estimating population‐level of alcohol, tobacco and morphine use in a small Russian region using wastewater‐based epidemiology

Funding

Current funding

  • 2025 - 2029
    Measuring the prevalence of vaping and illicit tobacco in Australia
    ARC Mid-Career Industry Fellowships
    Open grant
  • 2024 - 2026
    Microplastic emission in storm water
    ExxonMobil Global Services Company
    Open grant
  • 2024 - 2027
    Using Wastewater Analysis to understand the prevalence of drug misuse in correctional settings in Queensland
    Queensland Corrective Services
    Open grant
  • 2024 - 2027
    Using multiple data sources to understand the opioid crisis in Australia
    ARC Linkage Projects
    Open grant
  • 2024 - 2028
    Monitoring nicotine: Triangulating social media, global survey and wastewater data to inform future vaping and smoking policies
    NHMRC IDEAS Grants
    Open grant
  • 2023 - 2027
    National Wastewater Drug Monitoring Program
    Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission
    Open grant
  • 2022 - 2025
    Understanding third hand exposure of Australian people to methamphetamine
    ARC Linkage Projects
    Open grant
  • 2022 - 2025
    Realistic assessment of biomarker transformation in the wastewater system
    ARC Discovery Projects
    Open grant
  • 2021 - 2025
    Understanding Australia by analysing wastewater during the Census 2021
    ARC Linkage Projects
    Open grant
  • 2020 - 2025
    Human exposure to PFAS and their precursors in the human environment and their biotransformation processes
    NHMRC Targeted Research
    Open grant

Past funding

  • 2024 - 2025
    Estimating tobacco consumption trend in Australia
    Australian Taxation Office
    Open grant
  • 2021 - 2024
    Evaluation of PFAS release from impacted concrete
    Arcadis US Inc
    Open grant
  • 2019 - 2023
    Estimating use of tobacco and nicotine products through wastewater analysis
    ARC Linkage Projects
    Open grant
  • 2019 - 2023
    Wearing masks to reduce traffic-related air pollution exposure and improve children's respiratory health
    NHMRC-NAFOSTED Joint Call for Collaborative Research Projects Grants
    Open grant
  • 2016 - 2020
    Estimating per capita use and release of chemicals by wastewater analysis
    ARC Linkage Projects
    Open grant
  • 2015 - 2018
    Understanding the fate and transport of selected biomarkers in sewers
    ARC Discovery Projects
    Open grant
  • 2014 - 2015
    Evaluating temporal and spatial changes in consumption of new psychoactive substances in Queensland by retrospective analysis of archived wastewater samples
    Queensland Health
    Open grant
  • 2014
    Developing an approach to identifying and qualifying novel psychoactive substance (NPS) consumed in Australia
    UQ Collaboration and Industry Engagement Fund - Seed Research Grant
    Open grant
  • 2013
    UWA/UQ joint project on sewer epidemiology
    UWA-UQ Bilateral Research Collaboration Award
    Open grant
  • 2012 - 2013
    Testing of Articles for Persistent Organic Pollutants
    UniQuest Pty Ltd
    Open grant
  • 2012 - 2015
    Establishing a method for estimating the consumption of emerging psychoactive substances through wastewater analysis
    UQ Postdoctoral Research Fellowship
    Open grant
  • 2011 - 2012
    Dissipation of major illicit drugs and their metabolites in the sewer system
    UQ New Staff Research Start-Up Fund
    Open grant

Supervision

Availability

Associate Professor Phong Thai is:
Available for supervision

Looking for a supervisor? Read our advice on how to choose a supervisor.

Supervision history

Current supervision

Completed supervision

Media

Enquiries

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