Dr Jiaying Li
Honorary Research Fellow
School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences
Researcher biography
Dr Jiaying Li is a Research Fellow at Queensland Alliance for Environmental Health Sciences (QAEHS), the University of Queensland, Australia (2021 - now). She obtained her Ph.D. in 2020 at Advanced Water Management Centre (AWMC), the University of Queensland. Her research interests include applying wastewater-based epidemiology for chemical and microbial biomarkers related to environmental and human health, understanding and modelling the fate of contaminants of emerging concerns in urban water systems, and developing an integrated approach for source tracking, identification, and control of environmental pollutants and micropollutants in sewage networks. Dr Li has published over 30 top-tier papers with >2,430 citations and an H-index of 19, including over 10 lead-author papers in Nature Water, the Lancet Global Health, Environmental Science & Technology, and Water Research. Her research achievements have been recognized with the awards of Massachusetts Institute of Technology CEE Rising Stars, Australian Academy of Science Max Day Environmental Science Fellowship (highly commended), UQ Research Stimulus Fellowship, etc.
Publications
Book Chapters
Rousis, Nikolaos I., Bade, Richard, Dewapriya, Pradeep, Li, Jiaying, Duan, Haoran and Thomaidis, Nikolaos S. (2024). Removal of emerging contaminants from wastewater by various treatment technologies in wastewater treatment plants. Sustainable technologies for remediation of emerging pollutants from aqueous environment. (pp. 389-409) edited by Mohammad Hadi Dehghani, Rama Rao Karri and Inderjeet Tyagi. Amsterdam, Netherlands: Elsevier. doi: 10.1016/b978-0-443-18618-9.00020-6
Gao, Jianfa, O'Brien, Jake W., Li, Jiaying, Choi, Phil, Li, Yijing and Thai, Phong K. (2023). Assessment of in-sample and in-sewer stability of biomarkers in wastewater-based epidemiology: an important step. Wastewater-based epidemiology for the assessment of human exposure to environmental pollutants. (pp. 83-122) edited by Mohammad Hadi Dehghani, Rama Rao Karri, Nikolaos Rousis and Emma Gracia-Lor. London, United Kingdom: Academic Press. doi: 10.1016/b978-0-443-19172-5.00001-9
Journal Articles
Keane, Chantal A., Verhagen, Rory, Mueller, Jochen F., O’Brien, Jake W., Shiels, Ryan and Li, Jiaying (2026). Chemical profiling of industry wastewaters to identify industry sources of contaminants. Water Research, 295 125575, 125575. doi: 10.1016/j.watres.2026.125575
Ren, Jianan, Zheng, Qiuda, Li, Jiaying, Verhagen, Rory, Thai, Phong K., Li, Jiuling, Mueller, Jochen F. and Tscharke, Ben J. (2025). In-sample chemical tracers for quality control in environmental samples: a systematic evaluation of deuterated pharmaceuticals for sampling campaigns. Environmental Science and Technology, 59 (39), 21278-21288. doi: 10.1021/acs.est.5c05862
Huang, Jie, Ding, Zhiyan and Li, Jiaying (2025). Editorial: Global infectious disease surveillance technologies and data sharing protocols. Frontiers in Public Health, 13 1676987, 1-4. doi: 10.3389/fpubh.2025.1676987
Neale, Peta A., Khan, Stuart J., Li, Jiaying, O'Carroll, Denis M. and Leusch, Frederic D.L. (2025). Assessing the ability of advanced pre-treatment to reduce disinfection by-product formation and finished water toxicity. Water Research, 282 123755, 1-13. doi: 10.1016/j.watres.2025.123755
Li, Jinglong, Ren, Jianan, Li, Jiaying, Thai, Phong K., Cen, Xiaotong, Zhao, Zeyang, Zhai, Naixiang, Thomas, Kevin V. and O’Brien, Jake W. (2025). Stability of antibiotics and their metabolites in sewers: implications for wastewater-based epidemiology and antibiotic sustainability. Environmental Science and Technology, 59 (33), 17796-17810. doi: 10.1021/acs.est.5c04421
Li, Jiaying, Cen, Xiaotong, Zheng, Qiuda, Zhao, Zeyang, Ren, Jianan, Khan, Stuart, Duan, Haoran, Thai, Phong and Zheng, Min (2025). Impact of long-term and short-term magnesium hydroxide dosing on transformation of chemical biomarkers in the sewer systems. Water Research, 279 123426, 1-11. doi: 10.1016/j.watres.2025.123426
Tian, Jingwen, Zhang, Bolun, Li, Jiaying, Zhang, Anxiao and Zhu, Ling (2025). Incorporating stepping stone establishment into rural ecological security pattern optimization: A water–energy–food coupling perspective. Land, 14 (4) 862, 1-23. doi: 10.3390/land14040862
Keane, Chantal A., Li, Jinglong, Li, Jiaying, Mueller, Jochen F., O'Brien, Jake W. and Verhagen, Rory (2025). High levels of antibiotics released by a pharmaceutical manufacturer negatively impacted wastewater treatment plant performance. Environmental Science: Water Research & Technology, 11 (4), 903-913. doi: 10.1039/d4ew01032a
Zhou, Ming, Wei, Danxian, Li, Jiaying, Fan, Kaicai and Wang, Wenbing (2025). Low-cost and highly sensitive conductive polymer-based lateral flow assay for per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances detection. Innovation, 6 (3) 100768, 100768. doi: 10.1016/j.xinn.2024.100768
Huang, Jie, Güllüoğlu, Mehmet, Döring, Ole, Wang, Haidong, Li, Jiaying and Liu, Yao (2025). Global infectious disease surveillance: bridge a 30-metre gap between the International Civil Aviation Organization and the World Anti-Doping Agency. Journal of Global Health, 15 03010, 1-5. doi: 10.7189/jogh.15.03010
Yang, Fei, Yousefpour, Rasoul, Hu, Yike, Zhang, Ying, Li, Jiaying and Wang, Hongcheng (2024). Assessing the efficiency of urban blue-green space in carbon-saving: Take a high-density urban area in a cold region as an example. Journal of Cleaner Production, 479 144017, 1-13. doi: 10.1016/j.jclepro.2024.144017
Wang, Yu, Ni, Gaofeng, Tian, Wei, Wang, Haofei, Li, Jiaying, Thai, Phong, Choi, Phil M., Jackson, Greg, Hu, Shihu, Yang, Bicheng and Guo, Jianhua (2024). Wastewater tiling amplicon sequencing in sentinel sites reveals longitudinal dynamics of SARS-CoV-2 variants prevalence. Water Research X, 23 100224, 100224. doi: 10.1016/j.wroa.2024.100224
Okoffo, Elvis D., Tscharke, Ben J., Li, Jiaying and Thomas, Kevin V. (2024). Tracing the origins of plastics in biosolids: the role of sewerage pipe materials and trade waste. Science of The Total Environment, 914 169737, 169737. doi: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.169737
Li, Jiaying, Choi, Phil M., Gao, Jianfa, Ren, Jianan, O'Brien, Jake W., Thomas, Kevin V., Mueller, Jochen F., Thai, Phong K. and Jiang, Guangming (2024). In-sewer stability of 31 human health biomarkers and suitability for wastewater-based epidemiology. Water Research, 249 120978, 1-13. doi: 10.1016/j.watres.2023.120978
Cen, Xiaotong, Duan, Haoran, Hu, Zhetai, Huang, Xin, Li, Jiaying, Yuan, Zhiguo and Zheng, Min (2023). Multifaceted benefits of magnesium hydroxide dosing in sewer systems: impacts on downstream wastewater treatment processes. Water Research, 247 120788, 1-10. doi: 10.1016/j.watres.2023.120788
Li, Jiaying, Hosegood, Ian, Powell, David, Tscharke, Ben, Lawler, Jenny, Thomas, Kevin V. and Mueller, Jochen F. (2023). A global aircraft-based wastewater genomic surveillance network for early warning of future pandemics. The Lancet Global Health, 11 (5), e791-e795. doi: 10.1016/S2214-109X(23)00129-8
Li, Jiaying, Ahmed, Warish, Metcalfe, Suzanne, Smith, Wendy J. M., Choi, Phil M., Jackson, Greg, Cen, Xiaotong, Zheng, Min, Simpson, Stuart L., Thomas, Kevin V., Mueller, Jochen F. and Thai, Phong K. (2023). Impact of sewer biofilms on fate of SARS-CoV-2 RNA and wastewater surveillance. Nature Water, 1 (3), 272-280. doi: 10.1038/s44221-023-00033-4
Vo, Phong H. N., Tscharke, Ben, Toft, Sonja, Madsen, Craig, Nguyen, Kim Qui, Nguyen, Hong T. M., Bui, Xuan Thanh, Li, Jiaying and Thai, Phong K. (2023). Spatiotemporal trends and impact of Covid-19 lockdown on eight sewage contaminants in Brisbane, Australia, from 2012 to 2020. Chemosphere, 314 137702, 1-11. doi: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2022.137702
Gao, Jianfa, Burgard, Daniel A., Tscharke, Benjamin J., Lai, Foon Yin, O'Brien, Jake W., Nguyen, Hien D., Zheng, Qiuda, Li, Jiaying, Du, Peng, Li, Xiqing, Wang, Degao, Castiglioni, Sara, Cruz-Cruz, Copytzy, Baz-Lomba, Jose Antonio, Yargeau, Viviane, Emke, Erik, Thomas, Kevin V., Mueller, Jochen F. and Thai, Phong K. (2022). Refining the estimation of amphetamine consumption by wastewater-based epidemiology. Water Research, 225 119182, 1-8. doi: 10.1016/j.watres.2022.119182
Miao, Jing, Wei, Zilin, Zhou, Shuqing, Li, Jiaying, Shi, Danyang, Yang, Dong, Jiang, Guangming, Yin, Jing, Yang, Zhong Wei, Li, Jun Wen and Jin, Min (2022). Predicting the concentrations of enteric viruses in urban rivers running through the city center via an artificial neural network. Journal of Hazardous Materials, 438 129506, 1-9. doi: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2022.129506
Guo, Ying, Li, Jiaying, O'Brien, Jake, Sivakumar, Muttucumaru and Jiang, Guangming (2022). Back-estimation of norovirus infections through wastewater-based epidemiology: a systematic review and parameter sensitivity. Water Research, 219 118610, 1-9. doi: 10.1016/j.watres.2022.118610
Jiang, Guangming, Wu, Jiangping, Weidhaas, Jennifer, Li, Xuan, Chen, Yan, Mueller, Jochen, Li, Jiaying, Kumar, Manish, Zhou, Xu, Arora, Sudipti, Haramoto, Eiji, Sherchan, Samendra, Orive, Gorka, Lertxundi, Unax, Honda, Ryo, Kitajima, Masaaki and Jackson, Greg (2022). Artificial neural network-based estimation of COVID-19 case numbers and effective reproduction rate using wastewater-based epidemiology. Water Research, 218 118451, 118451. doi: 10.1016/j.watres.2022.118451
Li, Jiaying, Ahmed, Warish, Metcalfe, Suzanne, Smith, Wendy J.M., Tscharke, Ben, Lynch, Peter, Sherman, Paul, Vo, Phong H.N., Kaserzon, Sarit L., Simpson, Stuart L., McCarthy, David T., Thomas, Kevin V., Mueller, Jochen F. and Thai, Phong (2022). Monitoring of SARS-CoV-2 in sewersheds with low COVID-19 cases using a passive sampling technique. Water Research, 218 118481, 1-10. doi: 10.1016/j.watres.2022.118481
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
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
Ahmed, Fahad, Li, Jiaying, O'Brien, Jake W., Tscharke, Benjamin J., Samanipour, Saer, Thai, Phong K., Yuan, Zhiguo, Mueller, Jochen F. and Thomas, Kevin V. (2021). In-sewer stability of selected analgesics and their metabolites. Water Research, 204 117647, 117647. doi: 10.1016/j.watres.2021.117647
Li, Jiaying, Gao, Jianfa, Zheng, Qiuda, Thai, Phong K., Duan, Haoran, Mueller, Jochen F., Yuan, Zhiguo and Jiang, Guangming (2021). Effects of pH, temperature, suspended solids, and biological activity on transformation of illicit drug and pharmaceutical biomarkers in sewers. Environmental Science and Technology, 55 (13), 8771-8782. doi: 10.1021/acs.est.1c01516
He, Chang, Li, Jiaying, Jiang, Guangming, Chen, Shuo, Niel, Cherry, Yuan, Zhiguo, Mueller, Jochen F. and Thai, Phong (2021). Transformation of phthalates and their metabolites in wastewater under different sewer conditions. Water Research, 190 116754, 1-9. doi: 10.1016/j.watres.2020.116754
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
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
Li, Dandan, O'Brien, Jake W., Tscharke, Benjamin J., Choi, Phil M., Zheng, Qiuda, Ahmed, Fahad, Thompson, Jack, Li, Jiaying, Mueller, Jochen F., Sun, Hongwen and Thomas, Kevin V. (2020). National wastewater reconnaissance of artificial sweetener consumption and emission in Australia. Environment International, 143 105963, 105963. doi: 10.1016/j.envint.2020.105963
Kulandaivelu, Jagadeeshkumar, Choi, Phil M., Shrestha, Sohan, Li, Xuan, Song, Yarong, Li, Jiaying, Sharma, Keshab, Yuan, Zhiguo, Mueller, Jochen F., Wang, Chengduan and Jiang, Guangming (2020). Assessing the removal of organic micropollutants from wastewater by discharging drinking water sludge to sewers. Water Research, 181 115945, 115945. doi: 10.1016/j.watres.2020.115945
Ahmed, Warish, Angel, Nicola, Edson, Janette, Bibby, Kyle, Bivins, Aaron, O'Brien, Jake W., Choi, Phil M., Kitajima, Masaaki, Simpson, Stuart L., Li, Jiaying, Tscharke, Ben, Verhagen, Rory, Smith, Wendy J.M., Zaugg, Julian, Dierens, Leanne, Hugenholtz, Philip, Thomas, Kevin V. and Mueller, Jochen F. (2020). First confirmed detection of SARS-CoV-2 in untreated wastewater in Australia: a proof of concept for the wastewater surveillance of COVID-19 in the community. Science of the Total Environment, 728 138764, 138764. doi: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.138764
Ahmed, Fahad, Tscharke, Benjamin, O'Brien, Jake, Thompson, Jack, Samanipour, Saer, Choi, Phil, Li, Jiaying, Mueller, Jochen F. and Thomas, Kevin (2020). Wastewater-based estimation of the prevalence of gout in Australia. Science of The Total Environment, 715 136925, 136925. doi: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.136925
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
O'Brien, Jake W., Choi, Phil M., Li, Jiaying, Thai, Phong K., Jiang, Guangming, Tscharke, Ben, Mueller, Jochen F. and Thomas, Kevin V. (2019). Evaluating the stability of three oxidative stress biomarkers under sewer conditions and potential impact for use in wastewater-based epidemiology. Water Research, 166 115068, 115068. doi: 10.1016/j.watres.2019.115068
Kulandaivelu, Jagadeeshkumar, Gao, Jianfa, Song, Yarong, Shrestha, Sohan, Li, Xuan, Li, Jiaying, Doederer, Katrin, Keller, Jurg, Yuan, Zhiguo, Mueller, Jochen F. and Jiang, Guangming (2019). Removal of pharmaceuticals and illicit drugs from wastewater due to ferric dosing in sewers. Environmental Science and Technology, 53 (11) acs.est.8b07155, 6245-6254. doi: 10.1021/acs.est.8b07155
Li, Jiaying, Gao, Jianfa, Thai, Phong K, Shypanski, Adam, Nieradzik, Ludwika, Mueller, Jochen F, Yuan, Zhiguo and Jiang, Guangming (2019). Experimental investigation and modelling of the transformation of illicit drugs in a pilot-scale sewer system. Environmental Science and Technology, 53 (8) acs.est.8b06169, 4556-4565. doi: 10.1021/acs.est.8b06169
Gao, Jianfa, Li, Jiaying, Jiang, Guangming, Shypanski, Adam, Nieradzik, Ludwika M., Yuan, Zhiguo, Mueller, Jochen F., Ort, Christoph and Thai, Phong K. (2018). Systematic evaluation of biomarker stability in pilot scale sewer pipes. Water Research, 151, 447-455. doi: 10.1016/j.watres.2018.12.032
Choi, Phil M., O'Brien, Jake W., Li, Jiaying, Jiang, Guangming, Thomas, Kevin V. and Mueller, Jochen F. (2018). Population histamine burden assessed using wastewater-based epidemiology: the association of 1,4‑methylimidazole acetic acid and fexofenadine. Environment International, 120, 172-180. doi: 10.1016/j.envint.2018.08.009
Gao, Jianfa, Li, Jiaying, Jiang, Guangming, Yuan, Zhiguo, Eaglesham, Geoff, Covaci, Adrian, Mueller, Jochen F. and Thai, Phong K. (2018). Stability of alcohol and tobacco consumption biomarkers in a real rising main sewer. Water Research, 138, 19-26. doi: 10.1016/j.watres.2018.03.036
Gao, Jianfa, Banks, Andrew, Li, Jiaying, Jiang, Guangming, Lai, Foon Yin, Mueller, Jochen F. and Thai, Phong K. (2017). Evaluation of in-sewer transformation of selected illicit drugs and pharmaceutical biomarkers. Science of the Total Environment, 609, 1172-1181. doi: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2017.07.231
Li, Jiaying, Gao, Jianfa, Thai, Phong K., Sun, Xiaoyan, Mueller, Jochen F., Yuan, Zhiguo and Jiang, Guangming (2017). Stability of Illicit Drugs as Biomarkers in Sewers: From Lab to Reality. Environmental Science & Technology, 52 (3), 1561-1570. doi: 10.1021/acs.est.7b05109
Conference Paper
Li, Jiaying, Jin, Xiaotong, Duan, Haoran, Ji, Na, Song, Chunfeng and Liu, Qingling (2015). Synthesis of NH3-SCR catalyst SAPO-56 with different aluminum sources. 9th International Symposium on Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning (ISHVAC) joint with the 3rd International Conference on Building Energy and Environment (COBEE), Tianjin, China, 12-15 July 2015. AMSTERDAM: Elsevier. doi: 10.1016/j.proeng.2015.09.064
Research Report
Rigby, Siobhan F., Mackie, Rachel, Van Niekerk, Sean, Li, Jiaying, Grant, Sharon and Thomas, Kevin V. (2024). Hazard identification of Coal Seam Gas (CSG) additives with potential for community human health impacts. Brisbane, Australia: The University of Queensland. doi: 10.14264/dc20cee
Thesis
Li, Jiaying (2020). Understanding and modelling the fate of illicit drug and pharmaceutical biomarkers in urban sewers. PhD Thesis, School of Chemical Engineering, Advanced Water Management Centre, The University of Queensland. doi: 10.14264/uql.2020.861