ORCID ID
Graduation Date
Spring 5-7-2026
Document Type
Dissertation
Degree Name
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
Programs
Medical Sciences Interdepartmental Area
First Advisor
Joshua L. Santarpia, PhD
Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted critical gaps in environmental surveillance capabilities for viral aerosols. Current methods face significant limitations including susceptibility to environmental aging, limited capacity for pathogen viability assessment, and insufficient sensitivity and specificity for continuous surveillance. This dissertation addresses these challenges through three novel analytical approaches that advance both fundamental understanding and practical capabilities for viral aerosol surveillance.
Chapter 1 investigates the environmental stability of Circular Intensity Differential Scattering (CIDS) for MS2 viral aerosol detection under controlled aging conditions. Using the Bioaerosol Reaction Chamber (Bio-ARC), MS2 aerosols were simultaneously analyzed by CIDS and traditional fluorescence-based detection under varying relative humidity, UV radiation, and ozone exposure. CIDS signatures maintained consistent peak intensities of approximately 0.08 across all conditions while fluorescence signals showed significant degradation, suggesting CIDS could provide more reliable environmental monitoring without complex atmospheric correction algorithms.
Chapter 2 explores an integrated microfluidic platform combining aerosol-to-hydrosol collection with automated viral cultivation to assess viability while lowering the effective detection limit of downstream molecular assays. The system achieved approximately 5 orders of magnitude viral amplification, converting samples initially below RT-qPCR detection limits into quantifiable detections (Ct values 25.5 – 34.4). Comparison of viral genome copies before and after propagation provides a basis for inferring viral infectivity without requiring traditional plaque assays, enabling same-day viability assessment within approximately 5 hours of sample collection.
Chapter 3 presents a compatibility assessment of electrochemical biosensor technology with aerosol-to-hydrosol sampling for rapid, amplification-free viral detection. Fluorescein tracer studies validated aerosol collection and microfluidic sample delivery pathways from the BioSpot-GEM, achieving a system fluorescein mass recovery fraction of 62.44 ± 4.46%. PNA hybridization-based impedimetric biosensors achieved a 5 fM detection limit with concentration-dependent response onset times of under 5 minutes to approximately 50 minutes at 20 µl/min. Steady-state mass transport analysis indicates detection of viral concentrations approaching 105 copies/m3 is achievable within the demonstrated operational window at 1.2 LPM sampling.
Collectively, these complementary approaches address limitations that no single method could resolve individually, establishing a foundation for autonomous environmental surveillance networks capable of continuous, near real-time assessment of airborne biological threats.
Rights
The author holds the copyright to this work and any reuse or permissions must be obtained from the author directly.
Recommended Citation
Ackerman, Daniel, "Novel Approaches for Environmental Surveillance of Viral Aerosols: Detection, Characterization, and Analysis" (2026). Theses & Dissertations. 1077.
https://digitalcommons.unmc.edu/etd/1077
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Atmospheric Sciences Commons, Atomic, Molecular and Optical Physics Commons, COVID-19 Commons, Environmental Monitoring Commons, Environmental Public Health Commons, Virology Commons