The Summer and Winter Research Programs provide students with an opportunity to gain research experience working alongside some of the university’s leading academics and researchers.
Applications now open
Investigating pets health. Are domestic dogs and cats exposed to harmful environmental contaminants?
This research project aims to investigate if domestic pets are exposed to harmful environmental contaminants that may adversely impact their wellbeing and health. The project is in collaboration with a veterinarian service and will explore urine samples from pet animals and investigate associations with disease, providing a deeper understanding of the health and wellbeing of our beloved pets.
Supervisor: A/Prof Sarit Kaserzon
Hours: 20-36 hours per week
Duration: 12 January - 20 February 2026
Location: UQ Dutton Park campus (20 Cornwall Street, Woolloongabba)
Hidden contaminants in cosmetics and personal care products
This research project investigates the presence of hidden or undeclared chemical contaminants in personal care products and cosmetics sold in Australia, with a particular focus on products marketed as natural or organic. Using high-resolution mass spectrometry, the study aims to detect potentially harmful substances that may not be disclosed on product labels. The goal is to improve understanding of product transparency, assess consumer exposure risks, and inform regulatory policies.
Supervisor: A/Prof Sarit Kaserzon
Hours: 20-36 hours per week
Duration: 12 January - 20 February 2026
Location: UQ Dutton Park campus (20 Cornwall Street, Woolloongabba)
Hidden in Plain Plastic
Do you ever wonder which daily habits might increase our exposure to plastic chemicals? Is it microwaving food in plastic containers? Eating takeaway? Or simply spending time indoors surrounded by plastic materials? Join us for a 6-week summer program to help find out! You will work with pre-collected human samples paired with detailed diary entries to investigate the links between daily activities and exposure to plastic-related chemicals. You will gain foundational skills in LC-MS/MS analysis, with most sample processing carried out on a laboratory automation robot. We will measure bisphenols and phthalates as well-established biomarkers of exposure to plastic chemicals.
Supervisor: Dr Ian Zammit
Hours: 20-36 hours per week
Duration: 12 January - 20 February 2026
Location: UQ Dutton Park campus (20 Cornwall Street, Woolloongabba)
Release of Micro and Nanoplastics from Plastic Products: Comparing Recycled and Non-Recycled Materials
Micro and nanoplastics are emerging environmental contaminants that are increasingly suspected to be pervasive across ecosystems, yet there remains a significant gap in data regarding their release from plastic products. This project will investigate the release of micro and nanoplastics from various plastic materials, including food storage containers, bottles, and cups, when subjected to hot and cold water. A key focus of this study will be to assess how these releases differ between recycled and non-recycled plastic products, providing valuable insights into the potential environmental impact of recycled materials versus virgin plastics. The research will involve laboratory experiments using a range of commercially available products in Australia. The samples will be analysed for micro and nanoplastic contamination using cutting-edge analytical techniques such as Pyrolysis–gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (Py-GC-MS), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), nanoparticle tracking analysis (NTA), Microtrac Sync particle analyzer, and AIRsight Infrared/Raman (FT-IR/Raman) microscope. These techniques will enable the definitive identification and quantification of plastic particles released from both recycled and non-recycled plastic products. Through this project, the applicant will gain hands-on experience in conducting laboratory experiments, as well as in the analysis and interpretation of complex data. The findings will contribute to a better understanding of the risks posed by plastic products to the environment, inform waste management practices, and guide the development of safer, more sustainable plastic products. This project is open to applications from students with a passion for science and plenty of curiosity. A background in chemistry / analytical chemistry / environmental chemistry would be highly beneficial.
Supervisor: Dr Elvis Okoffo
Hours: 20-36 hours per week
Duration: 12 January - 20 February 2026
Location: UQ Dutton Park campus (20 Cornwall Street, Woolloongabba)
Investigating Micro and Nanoplastics in Australian Bottled Water
This research project seeks to investigate the presence of microplastics and nanoplastics in bottled water across Australia, focusing on their potential impact on water quality and consumer health. By utilising advanced high-resolution mass spectrometry techniques, the study will accurately quantify both microplastics and nanoplastics in various bottled water brands. Through a comprehensive analysis of products from diverse regions of Australia, we aim to assess the prevalence and variability of plastic contamination in the market. This project will provide critical insights into the safety and quality of bottled water, addressing growing concerns about plastic pollution in everyday consumer goods.
The findings will contribute to public health discourse, inform policy and regulatory frameworks, and highlight the need for more sustainable practices in the bottled water industry. This project is open to applications from students with a passion for science and plenty of curiosity. A background in chemistry / analytical chemistry / environmental chemistry would be highly beneficial.
Supervisor: Dr Elvis Okoffo
Hours: 20-36 hours per week
Duration: 12 January - 20 February 2026
Location: UQ Dutton Park campus (20 Cornwall Street, Woolloongabba)
Investigating substance use in major populations over time
The research project involves assessing and evaluating weekly and seasonal trends of chemical substance of interest measured in wastewater samples from a major city in Australia. This study aims to identify the drivers of changes. Students interested in data analytics or epidemiology or analytical chemistry are all welcomed.
Supervisor: A/Prof Phong Thai
Hours: 20-36 hours per week
Duration: 12 January - 20 February 2026
Location: UQ Dutton Park campus (20 Cornwall Street, Woolloongabba)
Development of an Interactive Dashboard for Visualising International Trends in Emerging Drug Use
The rapid emergence of new psychoactive substances (NPS) is outpacing current detection and response capabilities, creating a critical knowledge gap with serious implications for public health. These emerging drugs often have unknown potency, effects, and risk profiles, posing significant threats to communities.
Wastewater surveillance is a powerful approach, complementing current surveillance tools such as forensic data, drug checking and surveys, capable of providing timely population-level insights into the presence and trends of NPS use across communities.
Over the past five years, we have collected samples from around the world as part of ongoing wastewater surveillance. To facilitate data sharing amongst a wide range of (inter)national end-users, this Summer Research project will involve the development of an interactive dashboard. The dashboard will provide user-friendly access to complex data, enabling timely insights and facilitating collaboration across public health, law enforcement, and research communities.
This project is ideal for students with interests in data science, public health and environmental chemistry and offers hands-on experience in translating research into practical tools for real-world impact.
Supervisor: Dr Richard Bade
Hours: 20-36 hours per week
Duration: 12 January - 20 February 2026
Location: UQ Dutton Park campus (20 Cornwall Street, Woolloongabba)
Designing 3D-printed passive samplers for environmental monitoring
In today's world, the use of chemicals is on the rise, making exposure to these substances almost unavoidable. These chemicals often find their way into our environment, where they can be difficult to measure and detect. This project aims to address this challenge by designing passive samplers.
Passive samplers are small devices that can be deployed in various environments to collect chemical samples passively. Over a period of time, these samplers accumulate chemicals, providing a means to monitor and measure the presence of pollutants in the environment. In this project, we will focus on creating spherical passive samplers with a porous membrane. The interior of these samplers will contain clean water, and chemical accumulation will rely on the diffusion of chemicals through the waterfilled pores.
This project is targeted at undergraduate students and will focus on the design and development of passive samplers using 3D printing technology. Students will learn about the principles of passive sampling, the design process for creating effective samplers, and the use of 3D printing to produce these devices. Students are required to have prior experience with 3D printing to participate in this project. By the end of the project, students will have hands-on experience in creating innovative solutions for environmental monitoring.
Supervisor: Dr Rory Verhagen
Hours: 20-36 hours per week
Duration: 12 January - 20 February 2026
Location: UQ Dutton Park campus (20 Cornwall Street, Woolloongabba)
Investigating the effect of biofouling on chemical uptake in passive samplers
This project aims to examine how biofouling the accumulation of biological material such as algae, bacteria, and microorganisms on submerged surfaces impacts the performance of passive samplers used for environmental monitoring.
Passive samplers are widely utilised to measure the presence and concentration of pollutants in aquatic environments. However, biofouling can alter the physical and chemical interface between the sampler and the surrounding water, potentially affecting the rate and extent of chemical uptake.
This study will involve deploying passive samplers in controlled and field environments with varying levels of biofouling, followed by chemical analysis to assess uptake rates. The findings will help improve the accuracy and reliability of passive sampling methods in long-term environmental monitoring.
Supervisor: Dr Rory Verhagen
Hours: 20-36 hours per week
Duration: 12 January - 20 February 2026
Location: UQ Dutton Park campus (20 Cornwall Street, Woolloongabba)
Cannabis and cannabinoid use in Australia: what we can know from wastewater?
Cannabis and cannabinoid (CBD) use represents a growing public health and regulatory concern in Australia, particularly with the increasing availability of medicinal cannabis products and ongoing illicit use. Wastewater-based epidemiology (WBE) provides an objective, population-level tool to estimate community drug use by quantifying biomarkers excreted in urine and feces. This project will establish a robust direct injection LC-MS/MS method for measuring key metabolites of Δ⁹-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), CBD, and other cannabinoids in wastewater. Temporal and spatial analyses will be conducted to characterise consumption patterns, regional differences, and emerging trends. The findings will complement national survey data, improve estimates of cannabis and cannabinoid use, and inform evidence-based public health and regulatory strategies.
Applicants will develop skills in conducting literature reviews and gain insights into laboratory techniques relevant to cannabis and cannabinoid research. They will also have the opportunity to work with state-of-the-art analytical instrumentation for the detection of cannabis metabolites in wastewater.
Supervisor: Dr Qiuda Zheng
Hours: 20-36 hours per week
Duration: 12 January - 20 February 2026
Location: UQ Dutton Park campus (20 Cornwall Street, Woolloongabba)