Daniel McCluskey is a Professor of Aerosol Biodetection Technology and Dean of the School of Physics, Engineering & Computer Science at the University of Hertfordshire. With over two decades of defence and security research experience, Daniel is skilled in leading multidisciplinary teams, fostering industry-academic collaboration, and delivering impactful research in biodetection, autonomous systems, and environmental monitoring. He is the current elected President of the Aerosol Society.

What new possibilities will the Hub unlock for the field of biodetection?

I believe the Hub can revolutionise biodetection by harnessing the combined expertise of partner institutions to tackle real-world challenges. The significant investment by Research England, alongside funding for state-of-the-art lab facilities from the Wolfson Foundation, reflects our ambitious vision to collaborate across disciplines and integrate cutting-edge technologies. This synergy allows us to bridge gaps in biodetection capabilities, delivering transformative outcomes such as enhanced threat detection and improved environmental monitoring, and translating them into practical, scalable solutions. 

Which collaborative opportunities are exciting you the most?

I’m looking forward to taking existing collaborations to the next level, such as our crop disease monitoring system developed with Optisense, Bayer and Fera Science, while also taking our 'high risk, high reward' fundamental research in new directions. One example is an EPSRC-funded project exploring how suspended liquid films could simplify capturing and identifying airborne pathogens. The breadth of the disciplinary expertise within the Hub enables us to accelerate work in areas like plant health and food security, and branch into new areas like healthcare monitoring. What excites me most is the enquiry-driven nature of our research and the chance to solve problems we may not even be aware of yet.

What inspired you to specialise in biodetection research?

It stems from a fascination with the intersection of science and real-world impact. Early in my career, I was drawn to the challenge of using engineering approaches to solve problems that may be less known yet have a profound impact on people and environments. My PhD focused on preventing the transfer of harmful invasive species around the world via shipping, exploring how ships could change how they managed their ballast water. This led to research on monitoring invisible airborne threats, including environmental pathogens, pollutants and security risks. The driving motivation behind this work was to develop solutions with the potential to save lives and build a more resilient world.

What are you most proud of in your research career?

I’m most proud of fostering a culture of collaboration and innovation that brings together experts from diverse disciplines to advance the state of the art in biodetection and related fields. This multidisciplinary approach ensures our work is not only scientifically rigorous but also targeted at critical global challenges.