Contact Dr Rachel Samson P
Areas of expertise
- Environment and Health
- Water Science and Engineering
Background
Background
Dr Rachel Samson P. is a Research Fellow at 探花精选 with expertise in microbial ecology, riverine microbiomes, and phage-enabled approaches for water and environmental health. Her research examines bacteriophages and microbial communities across connected matrices, including water, wastewater, bioaerosols and soil, with emphasis on surveillance, source attribution, and intervention design for pathogen and antimicrobial resistance risk reduction. She integrates culture-based phage methods with sequencing-led microbiome and virome profiling to generate actionable outputs for treatment performance assessment and environmentally responsible mitigation.
This research aligns with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals through defined pathways. It supports SDG 3 by improving detection and control of waterborne pathogens and AMR-relevant risks. It supports SDG 6 by advancing viral indicators and biologically grounded treatment verification. It supports SDG 14 by reducing the discharge of antibiotic-resistant bacteria and associated genetic determinants into receiving waters. It supports SDG 15 by promoting eco-compatible interventions that protect freshwater habitats and microbial biodiversity.
Research Focus (Highlights)
1. Somatic coliphages and viral indicators for water safety
Evaluated somatic coliphages as culture-based viral indicators of treatment performance and and characterised coliphage diversity... using sequencing-enabled plaque and community approaches.
2. Microbial ecology and riverine microbiomes
Investigated microbial diversity and resistome dynamics along 2,500 km of the Ganges River.
3. Phage-enabled biotechnologies
Applied bacteriophages for biofouling control and AMR-relevant risk reduction in water and environmental systems.
Key Objective
Advance cross-matrix microbiome and virome research through next-generation sequencing and translate this evidence into phage-enabled tools for environmental monitoring and microbial risk assessment.
Impact and Vision
- Environmental and Public Health
Advancing eco-compatible, phage-based solutions that strengthen microbial risk assessment across water, wastewater and connected environments.
- Innovation and Translation
Translating microbiome and virome findings into decision-relevant outputs for utilities and stakeholders, including viral indicators and sequencing-enabled profiling of bacteriophage diversity.
- Engagement and advocacy
Supporting sustainable phage applications in water treatment, biofilm control, and pathogen surveillance through clear evidence thresholds and fit-for-purpose guidance
Recent research streams
Bioaerosols and cross-matrix integration (September 2025 to present)
-Developing low-input microbiome and virome workflows for bioaerosols with next-generation sequencing.
-Comparing airborne microbial and viral signatures with corrresponding environmental reservoirs for source attribution and cross-matrix interpretation of microbial risk
Somatic Coliphage Diversity in Drinking Water
-Characterising coliphage populations across treatment stages.
-Assessing phages as natural indicators for water quality monitoring.
Core Techniques and Tools
- Molecular Biology: DNA/RNA extraction (environmental and phage samples); PCR, Sanger sequencing, quantitative RT-PCR for validation.
- Multiomics and Sequencing: Nanopore sequencing of Environmental samples, and viral concentrates, DNA amplification, Genome assembly and annotation pipelines.
- Phage Isolation and Quantification: plaque assays, water/water saturated sediment concentration, and filtration protocol
- Biofilm Assays and Microscopy: In vitro biofilm formation/disruption assays; light, inverted, and confocal microscopy to observe phage-bacteria interactions
Education
1. PhD Biological Sciences
鈥� NCIM Resource Centre, CSIR-National Chemical Laboratory (Jan 2020 鈥� July 2024)
鈥� Thesis: Exploring The Microbiome of River Ganges and Harnessing the Potentials of Novel Phages Under One Health
2. MSc Microbiology
鈥� Savitribai Phule Pune University (Jun 2015 鈥� May 2017)
鈥� Dissertation: Biochemical degradation of p-nitrophenol using bacterial isolates.
3. BSc in Microbiology
鈥� B.P.H.E. Society鈥檚 Ahmednagar College (Jun 2012 鈥� May 2015)
Research opportunities
- Microbiology
- Phage Biology
- Environmental Virology
- Multiomics through Nanopore Sequencing
- Microbiome
- River Biofilms
- River Ecology
- One Health
- SDG 3, 6, 14, 15
Current activities
- Leading the investigation of somatic coliphage diversity across drinking water treatment stages using culture-based and multiomics approaches.
- Associate Editor, npj Biofilms and Microbiomes
- Peer Reviewer for Environment International, Environmental Microbiology, Science of the Total Environment
Online Profiles
1. Google Scholar: 鈥猂achel Samson. P鈥� - 鈥狦oogle Scholar鈥�
2. Scopus: Samson, Rachel - Author details - Scopus
3. ORCID: Dr Rachel Samson P (0009-0004-8901-2864) - ORCID