Rachel Samson P is a Postdoctoral Research Fellow at Cranfield University. She holds a PhD in Biological Sciences from the CSIR-National Chemical Laboratory, India. Her expertise lies in microbiology, with a focus on microbial genomics, metagenomics, nanopore sequencing, pathogen detection, antimicrobial resistance, metaviromics, and bacteriophage biology within a One Health framework. Rachel's current research applies next-generation sequencing to characterise airborne nucleic acids and to develop practical approaches for bioaerosol detection across environmental settings

What are you working on as part of the Hub?

As part of the Biodetection Technologies Hub, I am contributing my expertise in microbiology and omics to develop workflows for the detection and analysis of airborne nucleic acids. My work focuses on optimising low-biomass nucleic acid extractions to support both sequencing and molecular assays, including qPCR and RT-qPCR. I am also evaluating size-resolved approaches to understand how particle size influences recovery, yield, and detection limits. This will support the creation of reliable molecular systems for pathogen surveillance in diverse environmental settings.

What is exciting you the most about your current research?

This work offers a unique opportunity to strengthen environmental monitoring through molecular approaches tailored for bioaerosols. The ability to combine nanopore metagenomics with targeted assays such as qPCR and RT-qPCR offers a clearer view of airborne pathogens and genetic material across natural and engineered environments. Incorporating bacteriophages both as functional models and for their broader application potential adds another dimension, bridging fundamental microbiology with practical tools for surveillance. The interdisciplinary nature of this research, spanning genomics, aerosol science, and phage biology, makes it both technically challenging and impactful.

What difference do you hope your research will make?

I hope my research will contribute to the development of robust, field-ready molecular workflows that enable early and accurate detection of airborne pathogens and genetic material. By improving nucleic acid recovery from low-biomass samples and combining sequencing with targeted assays, my work aims to strengthen bioaerosol surveillance in diverse environmental settings. Incorporating phage-based tools further enhances the potential for precision diagnostics and long-term monitoring strategies. This will support timely interventions and contribute to more resilient and responsive environmental management systems.

What are you most proud of in your research career?

I’m proud of building a strong foundation in molecular microbiology through work on diverse and challenging environments, including glacier and permafrost systems. Optimising DNA extraction from low-biomass, inhibitor-rich samples has shaped how I approach method development more broadly. This experience now informs my transition into airborne nucleic acid research, where I aim to apply and extend these skills in new contexts. I’ve also valued being part of interdisciplinary, collaborative teams, where contributing to shared goals has been both motivating and rewarding.