Rachel Munds
Research Scientist @Krishi Inc.
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WORK HISTORY
Research Scientist @Krishi Inc.
West Lafayette, IN, US
Krishi Diagnostics (https://krishidiagnostics.com) provides actionable insight for the animal health, agricultural, and environmental markets through the development of point-of-care, rapid, and easy-to-use molecular diagnostics. My role at Krishi involves:• Lead the development and optimization of Loop-Mediated Isothermal Amplification (LAMP) assays for detecting genes of interest.• Identify genes to target for molecular diagnostics through extensive research and literature reviews, as well as through genotype-phenotype studies.• Troubleshoot the optimization and development of assays.• Assess the quality of LAMP assays to gold-standard methods (qPCR, bacterial-culture-and sensitivity).• Represent the company at international/national conferences and to potential investors.• Write grants and research articles for publication.• Collaborate with international and national researchers.• Design LAMP, qPCR, and PCR primers.• Lead meetings with board and advisory board members.
EDUCATION
University of Missouri-Columbia
Doctor of Philosophy - PhD
Southern Illinois University, Carbondale
Bachelor of Arts - BA
Oxford Brookes University
Master of Philosophy - MPhil
ABOUT RACHEL MUNDS
As the lead Research Scientist at a dynamic start-up, I am driven by the pursuit of measurable impact through rigorous, replicable scientific methods. With over a decade of expertise in molecular biology, I specialize in molecular assay development to unravel genotype-phenotype relationships with applications in conservation, evolution, and diagnostics. I excel in designing and optimizing molecular tools—such as PCR, qPCR, ddPCR, and LAMP—using diverse sample types (blood, skin, urine, hair, ancient DNA, and organs) to generate reliable, actionable data for healthcare, environmental science, and applied research. My work has contributed to key discoveries, including advancing our understanding of antimicrobial resistance genes and the identification of a new primate species (Munds et al, 2013). With a robust portfolio of over 30 peer-reviewed publications, numerous conference presentations, and collaborations across 10+ international institutions, I thrive at the intersection of innovation and teamwork. I am particularly skilled at overcoming challenging assay development hurdles, such as distinguishing genes with minimal base-pair differences (<6 bp) or working with ancient DNA. Mentorship is a core part of my journey; I have guided over 20 undergraduates, graduate students, and postdocs, fostering the next generation of scientific leaders. Whether refining diagnostic precision or contributing to interdisciplinary conservation efforts, my mission is to translate complex molecular insights into real-world solutions that will make a difference.
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