Stanisław Koper is a PhD student at the University of Hertfordshire and a member of the second cohort in the EPSRC Centre for Doctoral Training in Aerosol Science. He completed his BSc in Biological Sciences at the University of Brighton, where he investigated how microbiome fungi affect melanoma. He then pursued an MSc in Infection & Immunity at the University of Leicester, focusing on novel phage therapies to treat MRSA bacterial pathogens.

What are you working on within the Hub?

I have been comparing commercially available aerosol samplers with those developed at the University of Hertfordshire. Initially, I evaluated their capture efficiency by launching 1–5 micron polystyrene latex (PSL) particles in the UH aerosol chamber. More recently, I tested these devices in a live animal trial at the Pirbright Institute to detect airborne foot-and-mouth disease virus (FMDV).

What is the impact of your research so far?

My work has enabled a more accurate determination of these devices’ physical capture efficiency, which is essential for reliable pathogen detection in real-world scenarios. The UH devices, refined through years of R&D, have shown significantly better performance compared to commercially available options, particularly in field conditions.

What has been the highlight of your research career to date?

Working in a high-containment laboratory to detect airborne FMDV prior to clinical signs has been the most rewarding aspect of my research so far.