Dr. Jiaying Li has reinvented how public health is approached by leveraging the insights gained from wastewater analysis. As a Sydney Horizon Fellow, her research is pioneering in the field of wastewater-based epidemiology, which assesses community health by analyzing chemical and biological markers found in sewage. “Testing wastewater is like conducting a community blood test,” Dr. Li explained. “With a single sample, we can evaluate the overall health, wellbeing, and disease burden of an entire population. My research has expanded beyond just drug detection; we now monitor exposure to industrial chemicals, emerging contaminants, and even viruses.”
Dr. Li has played a significant role in national initiatives such as the National Wastewater Drug Monitoring Project and the COVID-19 wastewater monitoring program. These efforts have underscored the reliability of wastewater analysis in guiding public health interventions. Australia has emerged as a frontrunner in this field, thanks in part to the contributions of Dr. Li. “During my PhD, we established a national capacity to translate this concept into practical applications,” she noted.
Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, Australian researchers were among the first to publish findings on wastewater testing for the virus, setting benchmarks for international practices. “At that time, I was in Brisbane, where COVID-19 cases were relatively low compared to other regions,” Dr. Li recalled. “One day, a wastewater sample tested positive for COVID-19, even though health authorities reported no local infections. We approached Queensland Health with our findings, suggesting that residents in the affected neighborhood should consider testing, and soon after, symptomatic cases began to emerge.” Epidemiological studies indicated that her team detected signs of infection a week prior to clinical confirmations, illustrating how wastewater can serve as an early warning system for health officials.
Dr. Li”s methodology emphasizes collaboration, extending her work across various disciplines and sectors. As her research has evolved to encompass public, environmental, and industrial health, she has recognized the importance of building partnerships with industry and government entities. “As an early career researcher, I have learned that fostering collaboration requires investing time to learn from others and connecting ideas across different fields,” she stated. “This area of study is still developing, and the potential applications are vast. While it is demanding work, it is incredibly fulfilling to make discoveries that can genuinely assist communities.”
Her collaborations are guided by the needs and priorities of her partners, focusing on transparency and building trust. “During the pandemic, health authorities from various cities and states sought our expertise to establish their wastewater monitoring programs, demonstrating the confidence they had in our ability to deliver results,” Dr. Li reflected. “It”s essential to maintain open lines of communication and provide valuable insights to foster long-term collaborations.”
Looking to the future, Dr. Li aims to enhance research capabilities and advance real-time monitoring of a wider array of biomarkers. “My goal is to assemble a team and create a laboratory that can innovate in wastewater monitoring and data-driven prediction models,” she asserted. Her research has also revealed the magnitude of chemical pollution in the environment, highlighting that thousands of new chemicals are produced daily while only a small fraction are monitored. “We aspire to innovate new detection and monitoring methods for these chemicals to minimize their risks and impacts,” she emphasized.
Dr. Li”s work is redefining the landscape of public health and environmental conservation, not only in Australia but on a global scale. Through the support of the Horizon Fellowship, she is broadening the scope of wastewater-based epidemiology and its capacity to inform policy and protect public health.
Dr. Jiaying Li is affiliated with the University of Sydney”s School of Civil Engineering within the Faculty of Engineering and is also a member of the Net Zero Institute and the Charles Perkins Centre.
