Robert Alexander Email & Phone Number

What does a microbiologist have to do with aerosol science? My research focuses on how bacteria and viruses 'survive' in the droplets and particles we expire in respiratory secretions. Working in collaboration with Bristol Aerosol Research Center and the School of Cellular and Molecular Medicine (CMM), I am developing a robust model of infectious respiratory droplets to better understand airborne disease transmission. Awards2021 Aerosol Society Doctoral Student Award 2022 Student Poster Award American Association for Aerosol Research 40th Annual Conference 2023 Microbiology Society Travel Grant Award 2023 Aerosol Society travel grant awardPublications Alexander, R.W.; Tian, J.; Haddrell, A.E.; et al. Mucin Transiently Sustains Coronavirus Infectivity through Heterogenous Changes in Phase Morphology of Evaporating Aerosol. Viruses 2022. https://doi.org/10.3390/v14091856Haddrell, A.; Otero-Fernandez, M.; Oswin, H.; et al. Differences in airborne stability of SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern is impacted by alkalinity of surrogates of respiratory aerosol. Journal of the Royal Society Interface, 2023. http://doi.org/10.1098/rsif.2023.0062Tian, J., Alexander, R. W., Hardy, D. A., et al. 2024. The microphysics of surrogates of exhaled aerosols from the upper respiratory tract. Aerosol Science and Technology, 2024. https://doi.org/10.1080/02786826.2023.2299214Otero-Fernandez, M.; Thomas, R.J.; Oswin, H.; et al. Inactivation Mechanisms of Escherichia coli in Simulants of Respiratory and Environmental Aerosol Droplets. Atmosphere, 2024 https://doi.org/10.3390/atmos15040511 Haddrell, A., Oswin, H., Otero-Fernandez, M. et al. Ambient carbon dioxide concentration correlates with SARS-CoV-2 aerostability and infection risk. Nature Communications 2024 https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-024-47777-5 My current work uses an animal model, mouse hepatitis virus (MHV) as a surrogate for SARS-CoV-2, in a single particle levitation system, to probe how relative humidity, temperature, and droplet composition impact viral viability over time, this involves mammalian cell culture and viral infectivity assay. Future work looks to extend this research into Niesseria species, such as the causative agent of meningitis, to determine the characteristics bacteria employ to survive in the aerosol phase and propagate between hosts. During my MSci by research, my project looked to develop a recombinant nanoparticle for downstream magnetisation. This involved recombination, cloning, protein purification, and nanoparticle characterisation through small-angle X-ray scattering.

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  Claims Scientist

  Dyson

  Jan 2023 - Mar 2023

  Effective science communication within the Claims, Standards, and Insights department.Leveraged my virology expertise and knowledge to help the commercial group. Developed an educational tool, liaising with creative teams. Presented to senior stakeholders and published internally within 3 months.