Wastewater analysis for the detection of World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) prohibited substances

Performance- and image-enhancing drugs (PIEDs) are often misused by individuals who want to improve their athletic performance and physical appearance, despite numerous reports of severe negative side effects. Online markets facilitate access to PIEDs for the general public, enabling misuse behaviour. This has therefore been described as a public health issue in peer-reviewed literature. Current monitoring methods (e.g., surveys) have limitations such as small sample size and sporadic measurements. Wastewater-based epidemiology (WBE) has been used globally to assess and monitor licit and illicit drug consumption within the general community, thus covering larger populations. This project aims to investigate whether WBE can be suitable as a complementary method to assess and monitor anabolic agent use.

Katja completed her Bachelor of Science degree in Chemistry and Biotechnology at The University of Applied Sciences Niederrhein in Germany as well as a concurrent apprenticeship at LANXESS as a Chemical Laboratory Technician in 2016. She holds a Master of Research degree in Forensic Science from King’s College London, for which she undertook her 6-month research project at QAEHS on the analysis of anabolic steroids in wastewater. Katja is currently completing a PhD on the analysis of World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) prohibited substances in wastewater which is funded by the Australian Sports Anti-Doping Authority (ASADA).

Please note this is a mid-candidature review for a PhD student.