The Hub welcomes its first new recruit

The Biodetection Technologies Hub is delighted to welcome Dr Jianghan Tian, who joins as a Research Fellow in Bioaerosol Characterisation at the University of Hertfordshire.

Jianghan has been hugely impactful in her research career to date. She completed her undergraduate studies at the Yantai University, China, achieving the equivalent of a first class in water and waste water engineering. She was keen to continue her studies overseas, which she was able to do thanks to a scholarship from the British Council which supported her studies at Cranfield University. Whilst completing her Master’s, Jianghan worked closely with Professor Fred Coulon and Dr Zaheer Nasar, both of whom have been instrumental in the development of the Hub.

Jianghan brings a wealth of expertise in aerosol science, having completed her PhD in Physical Chemistry at the University of Bristol, where she specialised in measuring the chemical and microphysical properties of exhaled aerosols. Her research on COVID-19 bioaerosols has been widely cited and internationally recognised, contributing to the global understanding of airborne disease transmission.

Jianghan will be presenting her PHD poster on the measurement of surrogate respiratory aerosol pH and its impact on airborne disease transmission, at WIAC2025. You can read more about this here (link to The Hub Heads to WIAC2025: On indoor air and bioaerosols news story)

In her new role at the Hub, Jianghan will focus on detecting and characterising bioaerosols from various sources, including bacteria, viruses, fungi, and spores. By studying their physicochemical and fluorescence properties, she aims to improve bioaerosol detection methods, supporting advancements in disease surveillance and occupational health policies.

“What excites me most about this work is the opportunity to unravel the complex behaviour of exhaled and environmental bioaerosols and translate that understanding into practical detection technologies,” Jianghan explains. “Bioaerosols are incredibly dynamic, yet many aspects of their formation and transformation remain poorly understood. Developing more sensitive and accurate detection systems could revolutionise pathogen monitoring and early-warning systems.”

Jianghan’s research will help enhance real-time biosensing technologies, making them more reliable for use in healthcare, environmental monitoring, and biodefense. Her contributions will play a crucial role in bridging the gap between fundamental aerosol science and real-world applications, shaping future innovations in biodetection technologies.

We’re thrilled to have Jianghan on board and look forward to the impact of her work on bioaerosol detection and public health strategies. Welcome to the team! 

Opportunities to join the Hub can be found here