Bethan Payne

Affiliation

University of Edinburgh

Biography

I am a geomicrobiologist and PhD student at the University of Edinburgh, specialising in microbial gas consumption within geological disposal facilities (GDFs) and its implications for long-term repository performance. Building on my MEarthSci (Hons) in Geology from the same institution, my research integrates laboratory experimentation and metagenomic analysis to unravel microbial interactions and their effects on gas dynamics in GDF environments. By advancing understanding in this critical field, my work supports the safe, sustainable management of radioactive waste by providing practical insights that inform policy, enhance site design, and address global nuclear challenges.