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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

121 - 140 of 294 works

2020

Journal Article

Long-term trends in tobacco use assessed by wastewater-based epidemiology and its relationship with consumption of nicotine containing products

Zheng, Qiuda, Gartner, Coral, Tscharke, Benjamin J., O'Brien, Jake W., Gao, Jianfa, Ahmed, Fahad, Thomas, Kevin V., Mueller, Jochen F. and Thai, Phong K. (2020). Long-term trends in tobacco use assessed by wastewater-based epidemiology and its relationship with consumption of nicotine containing products. Environmental International, 145 106088, 106088. doi: 10.1016/j.envint.2020.106088

Long-term trends in tobacco use assessed by wastewater-based epidemiology and its relationship with consumption of nicotine containing products

2020

Journal Article

Emissions of particulate matters, volatile organic compounds and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons from warm and hot asphalt mixes

Xiu, Meng, Wang, Xianyu, Morawska, Lidia, Pass, David, Beecroft, Andrew, Mueller, Jochen F. and Thai, Phong (2020). Emissions of particulate matters, volatile organic compounds and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons from warm and hot asphalt mixes. Journal of Cleaner Production, 275 123094, 123094. doi: 10.1016/j.jclepro.2020.123094

Emissions of particulate matters, volatile organic compounds and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons from warm and hot asphalt mixes

2020

Journal Article

Evaluating training need for epidemic control in three metropolitans: implications for COVID-19 preparedness in Vietnam

Nguyen, Diep Ngoc, Le, Huong Thi, Thai, Phong Khanh, Le, Xuan Thi Thanh, Hoang, Men Thi, Vu, Linh Gia, Do, Toan Thi Thanh, Do, Khanh Nam, Vu, Giap Van, Nguyen, Tu Huu, Le, Thanh Tuan, Tran, Trung Dinh, Truong, Dat Van, Do, Cuong Duy, Nguyen, Thu Ha, Phung, Dung Tri, Nghiem, Son Hong, Vu, Thuc Thi Minh, Tran, Bach Xuan, Latkin, Carl A., Ho, Roger C. M. and Ho, Cyrus S. H. (2020). Evaluating training need for epidemic control in three metropolitans: implications for COVID-19 preparedness in Vietnam. Frontiers in Public Health, 8 589331, 1-8. doi: 10.3389/fpubh.2020.589331

Evaluating training need for epidemic control in three metropolitans: implications for COVID-19 preparedness in Vietnam

2020

Journal Article

Determination of anabasine, anatabine, and nicotine biomarkers in wastewater by enhanced direct injection LC-MS/MS and evaluation of their in-sewer stability

Zheng, Qiuda, Eaglesham, Geoff, Tscharke, Benjamin J., O'Brien, Jake W., Li, Jiaying, Thompson, Jack, Shimko, Katja M., Reeks, Tim, Gerber, Cobus, Thomas, Kevin V. and Thai, Phong K. (2020). Determination of anabasine, anatabine, and nicotine biomarkers in wastewater by enhanced direct injection LC-MS/MS and evaluation of their in-sewer stability. Science of The Total Environment, 743 140551, 140551. doi: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.140551

Determination of anabasine, anatabine, and nicotine biomarkers in wastewater by enhanced direct injection LC-MS/MS and evaluation of their in-sewer stability

2020

Conference Publication

Particulate air pollution and risk of ALRI hospital admission among young children in Ho Chi Minh city

Luong, T., Dang, T., Huong, N., Phung, D., Tran, L. K., Dung, D. and Thai, P. K. (2020). Particulate air pollution and risk of ALRI hospital admission among young children in Ho Chi Minh city. 32nd Annual Conference of The International Society for Environmental Epidemiology. The International Society for Environmental Epidemiology (ISEE), Virtual, 24-27 August 2020. Durham, NC USA: Environmental Health Perspectives. doi: 10.1289/isee.2020.virtual.o-os-503

Particulate air pollution and risk of ALRI hospital admission among young children in Ho Chi Minh city

2020

Journal Article

Transformation of illicit drugs and pharmaceuticals in sewer sediments

Li, Jiaying, Gao, Jianfa, Thai, Phong K., Mueller, Jochen F., Yuan, Zhiguo and Jiang, Guangming (2020). Transformation of illicit drugs and pharmaceuticals in sewer sediments. Environmental Science and Technology, 54 (20) acs.est.0c04266, 13056-13065. doi: 10.1021/acs.est.0c04266

Transformation of illicit drugs and pharmaceuticals in sewer sediments

2020

Journal Article

In vitro biotransformation and evaluation of potential transformation products of chlorinated paraffins by high resolution accurate mass spectrometry

He, Chang, van Mourik, Louise, Tang, Shaoyu, Thai, Phong, Wang, Xianyu, Brandsma, Sicco H., Leonards, Pim E.G., Thomas, Kevin V. and Mueller, Jochen F. (2020). In vitro biotransformation and evaluation of potential transformation products of chlorinated paraffins by high resolution accurate mass spectrometry. Journal of Hazardous Materials, 405 124245, 124245. doi: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2020.124245

In vitro biotransformation and evaluation of potential transformation products of chlorinated paraffins by high resolution accurate mass spectrometry

2020

Journal Article

Secondhand smoke in public places in Vietnam: an assessment 5 years after implementation of the tobacco control law

Tran, Long K., Morawska, Lidia, Gartner, Coral E., Huong, Le T. T., Le, Hong H. T. C. and Thai, Phong K. (2020). Secondhand smoke in public places in Vietnam: an assessment 5 years after implementation of the tobacco control law. Tobacco Control, 30 (5), tobaccocontrol-2020. doi: 10.1136/tobaccocontrol-2020-055753

Secondhand smoke in public places in Vietnam: an assessment 5 years after implementation of the tobacco control law

2020

Journal Article

Urinary concentrations of bisphenols in the Australian population and their association with the per capita mass loads in wastewater

Tang, Shaoyu, He, Chang, Thai, Phong K., Heffernan, Amy, Vijayasarathy, Soumini, Toms, Leisa, Thompson, Kristie, Hobson, Peter, Tscharke, Benjamin J., O’Brien, Jake W., Thomas, Kevin V. and Mueller, Jochen F. (2020). Urinary concentrations of bisphenols in the Australian population and their association with the per capita mass loads in wastewater. Environmental Science and Technology, 54 (16) acs.est.0c00921, 10141-10148. doi: 10.1021/acs.est.0c00921

Urinary concentrations of bisphenols in the Australian population and their association with the per capita mass loads in wastewater

2020

Journal Article

Organophosphate esters and their specific metabolites in chicken eggs from across Australia: occurrence, profile, and distribution between yolk and albumin fractions

Li, Zongrui, He, Chang, Thai, Phong, Wang, Xianyu, Bräunig, Jennifer, Yu, Yunjiang, Luo, Xiaojun, Mai, Bixian and Mueller, Jochen F. (2020). Organophosphate esters and their specific metabolites in chicken eggs from across Australia: occurrence, profile, and distribution between yolk and albumin fractions. Environmental Pollution, 262 114260, 114260. doi: 10.1016/j.envpol.2020.114260

Organophosphate esters and their specific metabolites in chicken eggs from across Australia: occurrence, profile, and distribution between yolk and albumin fractions

2020

Journal Article

Low-cost sensors as an alternative for long-term air quality monitoring

Liu, Xiaoting, Jayaratne, Rohan, Thai, Phong, Kuhn, Tara, Zing, Isak, Christensen, Bryce, Lamont, Riki, Dunbabin, Matthew, Zhu, Sicong, Gao, Jian, Wainwright, David, Neale, Donald, Kan, Ruby, Kirkwood, John and Morawska, Lidia (2020). Low-cost sensors as an alternative for long-term air quality monitoring. Environmental Research, 185 109438, 109438. doi: 10.1016/j.envres.2020.109438

Low-cost sensors as an alternative for long-term air quality monitoring

2020

Journal Article

Coverage of health information by different sources in communities: implication for COVID-19 epidemic response

Tran, Bach Xuan, Dang, Anh Kim, Thai, Phong Khanh, Le, Huong Thi, Le, Xuan Thanh Thi, Do, Toan Thanh Thi, Nguyen, Tu Huu, Pham, Hai Quang, Phan, Hai Thanh, Vu, Giang Thu, Phung, Dung Tri, Nghiem, Son Hong, Nguyen, Thu Ha, Tran, Trung Dinh, Do, Khanh Nam, Van Truong, Dat, Van Vu, Giap, Latkin, Carl A., Ho, Roger C. M. and Ho, Cyrus S. H. (2020). Coverage of health information by different sources in communities: implication for COVID-19 epidemic response. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 17 (10) 3577, 3577. doi: 10.3390/ijerph17103577

Coverage of health information by different sources in communities: implication for COVID-19 epidemic response

2020

Journal Article

A revised excretion factor for estimating ketamine consumption by wastewater-based epidemiology – utilising wastewater and seizure data

Du, Peng, Zheng, Qiuda, Thomas, Kevin V., Li, Xiqing and Thai, Phong K. (2020). A revised excretion factor for estimating ketamine consumption by wastewater-based epidemiology – utilising wastewater and seizure data. Environment International, 138 105645, 105645. doi: 10.1016/j.envint.2020.105645

A revised excretion factor for estimating ketamine consumption by wastewater-based epidemiology – utilising wastewater and seizure data

2020

Journal Article

Monitoring the levels of brominated and organophosphate flame retardants in passenger cars: utilisation of car air filters as active samplers

Tran, Long K., He, Chang, Phuc, Dam Hoang, Toms, Leisa-Maree L., Wang, Xianyu, Xiu, Meng, Mueller, Jochen F., Covaci, Adrian, Morawska, Lidia and Thai, Phong K. (2020). Monitoring the levels of brominated and organophosphate flame retardants in passenger cars: utilisation of car air filters as active samplers. Journal of Environmental Sciences, 91, 142-150. doi: 10.1016/j.jes.2020.01.014

Monitoring the levels of brominated and organophosphate flame retardants in passenger cars: utilisation of car air filters as active samplers

2020

Journal Article

Concentrations of phthalate metabolites in Australian urine samples and their contribution to the per capita loads in wastewater

Tang, Shaoyu, He, Chang, Thai, Phong, Vijayasarathy, Soumini, Mackie, Rachel, Toms, Leisa-Maree L., Thompson, Kristie, Hobson, Peter, Tscharke, Ben, O'Brien, Jake W. and Mueller, Jochen F. (2020). Concentrations of phthalate metabolites in Australian urine samples and their contribution to the per capita loads in wastewater. Environment International, 137 105534, 105534. doi: 10.1016/j.envint.2020.105534

Concentrations of phthalate metabolites in Australian urine samples and their contribution to the per capita loads in wastewater

2020

Journal Article

Considerations for assessing stability of wastewater-based epidemiology biomarkers using biofilm-free and sewer reactor tests

Choi, Phil Min, Li, Jiaying, Gao, Jianfa, O'Brien, Jake William, Thomas, Kevin Victor, Thai, Phong Khanh, Jiang, Guangming and Mueller, Jochen Friedrich (2020). Considerations for assessing stability of wastewater-based epidemiology biomarkers using biofilm-free and sewer reactor tests. Science of The Total Environment, 709 136228, 136228. doi: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2019.136228

Considerations for assessing stability of wastewater-based epidemiology biomarkers using biofilm-free and sewer reactor tests

2020

Journal Article

Using wastewater-based epidemiology to estimate consumption of alcohol and nicotine in major cities of China in 2014 and 2016

Gao, Jianfa, Zheng, Qiuda, Lai, Foon Yin, Gartner, Coral, Du, Peng, Ren, Yuan, Li, Xiqing, Wang, Degao, Mueller, Jochen F. and Thai, Phong K. (2020). Using wastewater-based epidemiology to estimate consumption of alcohol and nicotine in major cities of China in 2014 and 2016. Environment International, 136 105492, 105492. doi: 10.1016/j.envint.2020.105492

Using wastewater-based epidemiology to estimate consumption of alcohol and nicotine in major cities of China in 2014 and 2016

2020

Journal Article

Analysis of urinary metabolites of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and cotinine in pooled urine samples to determine the exposure to PAHs in an Australian population

Thai, Phong K., Banks, Andrew P.W., Toms, Leisa-Maree L., Choi, Phil M., Wang, Xianyu, Hobson, Peter and Mueller, Jochen F. (2020). Analysis of urinary metabolites of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and cotinine in pooled urine samples to determine the exposure to PAHs in an Australian population. Environmental Research, 182 109048, 109048. doi: 10.1016/j.envres.2019.109048

Analysis of urinary metabolites of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and cotinine in pooled urine samples to determine the exposure to PAHs in an Australian population

2020

Journal Article

Low-cost PM2.5 sensors: An assessment of their suitability for various applications

Jayaratne, Rohan, Liu, Xiaoting, Ahn, Kang-Ho, Asumadu-Sakyi, Akwasi, Fisher, Gavin, Gao, Jian, Mabon, Adrian, Mazaheri, Mandana, Mullins, Benjamin, Nyaku, Mawutorli, Ristovski, Zoran, Scorgie, Yvonne, Thai, Phong, Dunbabin, Matthew and Morawska, Lidia (2020). Low-cost PM2.5 sensors: An assessment of their suitability for various applications. Aerosol and Air Quality Research, 20 (3), 520-532. doi: 10.4209/aaqr.2018.10.0390

Low-cost PM2.5 sensors: An assessment of their suitability for various applications

2020

Journal Article

Spatial patterns of health vulnerability to heatwaves in Vietnam

Tran, Dang Ngoc, Doan, Van Quang, Nguyen, Vien Truong, Khan, Ansar, Thai, Phong K., Cunrui, Huang, Chu, Cordia, Schak, Elena and Phung, Dung (2020). Spatial patterns of health vulnerability to heatwaves in Vietnam. International Journal of Biometeorology, 64 (5), 863-872. doi: 10.1007/s00484-020-01876-2

Spatial patterns of health vulnerability to heatwaves in Vietnam

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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communications@uq.edu.au