Dive into the frontiers of chromatography, mass spectrometry, and sample preparation with host David Oliva. Each episode features candid conversations with leading researchers, industry innovators, and passionate scientists who are shaping the future of analytical chemistry. From decoding PFAS detection challenges to exploring the latest in AI-assisted liquid chromatography, this show uncovers practical workflows, sustainability breakthroughs, and the real-world impact of separation science. Whether you’re a chromatographer, lab professional, or researcher you'll discover inspiring content!
In this episode of @ChromatographyTalk , @Organomation General Manager David Oliva sits down with Michelle Taylor, Editor-in-Chief of LabCompare, to go behind the scenes of their groundbreaking two-part documentary series on PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances). The conversation kicks off with a startling revelation: many of the world’s leading PFAS experts have completely stopped eating seafood due to high contamination levels discovered during testing. From there, we dive deep into the technical and regulatory challenges facing today's analytical laboratories.In this episode, we discuss:* The Laboratory Throughput Crisis: Why labs are currently "overwhelmed with samples" and how tiered testing—using single quad instruments for screening before moving to triple quads—is helping to manage capacity without sacrificing sensitivity.* The Battle Against Background Contamination: Why PTFE-free (PFAS-free) laboratory equipment is no longer optional when trying to detect "forever chemicals" at the parts-per-trillion and parts-per-quadrillion levels.* Complex Matrices (Seafood & Packaging): The technical hurdles of analyzing high-lipid samples like fish and the rising demand for migration testing as states like Rhode Island begin to phase out PFAS in food packaging.* Global Regulatory Shifts: A look at the "dual compliance model" required for labs supporting international exporters, especially with the European Union’s stricter enforcement compared to the U.S. monitoring approach.* The "Grand Challenge" of Unknowns: How EPA Method 1621 (Total Organic Fluorine) is helping labs close the mass balance gap and why the next generation of bench chemists must embrace **AI and data science** to manage the massive datasets generated by high-resolution mass spectrometry.* PFAS Destruction vs. Remediation: The promising (and problematic) methods for breaking the carbon-fluorine bond, and why incineration may inadvertently be spreading shorter-chain PFAS into the air.Whether you are a lab manager looking to future-proof your workflow or a chemist navigating the ever-evolving landscape of EPA Method 1633, this episode provides essential insights into the most pressing environmental crisis of our time.Watch the LabCompare Documentary Series:* Part 1: Preparing and Modernizing for Proposed National PFAS Regulations* Part 2: Forever Chemicals Contamination in Food and PackagingResources for PFAS Analysis:* Learn more about PTFE-free sample preparation at Organomation.com: https://www.organomation.com/ptfe-free-nitrogen-evaporators-for-pfas-analysis* Explore more analytical lab resources at LabCompare.com (https://www.labcompare.com)#PFAS #ForeverChemicals #Chromatography #EnvironmentalScience #LabCompare #Organomation #SamplePrep #EPA1633 #AnalyticalChemistry
In this episode of @ChromatographyTalk , @Organomation General Manager David Oliva sits down with Imad Haidar Ahmad, Scientific Research Director at Amgen leading separations for Discovery Chemistry and Externalization. Imad's career spans Novartis, Merck, and now Amgen, and his research on computer-assisted method development has landed multiple front covers in Analytical Chemistry.We dig into how his group builds retention models from as few as nine lab experiments to map an entire separation landscape — replacing weeks of trial and error with a resolution map you can query and rebuild from. Imad breaks down where this modeling approach struggles (large molecules, SFC, fully autonomous method development), walks through two-dimensional liquid chromatography in plain terms for anyone who's only worked in 1D, and shares the story behind his group's greenness-score mapping work — including where swapping acetonitrile for methanol worked, and where it didn't.We also talk career advice: what a typical day looks like leading a discovery-stage separations team, how undergrad and grad students can bridge the academia-to-industry gap, and what Imad sees as the field's biggest unsolved problem.Topics covered:- 00:00 – Imad's background: polymer analysis, a postdoc with Peter Carr, and the path through Novartis, Merck, and Amgen- 02:00 – How an undergrad project analyzing bread sparked a career in analytical chemistry- 06:00 – A day in the life leading a discovery-stage separations team- 08:00 – Advice for students bridging academia and industry- 12:00 – In silico modeling explained: how nine experiments can map a full separation- 14:00 – Reading a resolution map- 16:00 – Why trial-and-error gets risky at late-stage development- 20:00 – Where modeling breaks down: large molecules, SFC, and the case for autonomous method development- 24:00 – Two-dimensional LC, explained for anyone who's only run 1D- 27:00 – Why 2D-LC adoption has been slow — and what's changing- 29:00 – Mapping analytical greenness across the separation space- 32:00 – Acetonitrile vs. methanol: balancing green chemistry with performance- 35:00 – Advice for students: don't treat HPLC as a black box- 37:00 – The biggest unsolved problem in separation scienceConnect with Imad Haidar Ahmad: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/imadhaidarahmad 🎧 Listen to Concentrating on Chromatography on Spotify — https://open.spotify.com/show/1wZg67rCjoGju4yhqxI3tL?si=n9GLz9zjSCOrVfXPxFPhng🔔 Subscribe for more conversations on chromatography, sample prep, and analytical chemistry.#chromatography #AnalyticalChemistry #HPLC #2DLC #MethodDevelopment #GreenChemistry #Pharma
What if you could assess a tumor's metastatic potential — without extensive sample prep — directly from tissue? Rachel Wood is working on exactly that.Rachel Wood is a PhD candidate at Queen's University (Kingston, Ontario), working jointly in the labs of Dr. Richard Oleschuk (Chemistry) and Dr. Chris Nicoll (Pathology & Molecular Medicine). Her research applies Ambient Ionization Mass Spectrometry — specifically the Liquid Microjunction Surface Sampling Probe (LMJ-SSP) and Desorption Electrospray Ionization (DESI) — to profile the metabolomics of non-metastatic and metastatic clear cell Renal Cell Carcinoma (ccRCC) cell lines. The long-term goal: a rapid, minimally invasive MS-based prognostic tool for kidney cancer.This is the first reported use of LMJ-SSP to assess metastatic status in ccRCC — and early PCA results are already showing distinct separation between cell line profiles.In this episode, David and Rachel cover:→ Why ccRCC is such a resistant biomarker problem despite active genomic, proteomic, and metabolomic research→ The clinical stakes of "diagnosed by accident" — and what a prognostic biomarker actually needs to do for a clinician→ How AIMS complements (not replaces) LC-MS in a discovery-phase cancer workflow→ LMJ-SSP vs. DESI: what each technique sees that the other misses, including spatial resolution differences (~1mm vs. ~50µm)→ Why Rachel runs LMJ-SSP on both a triple quad and a Q-TOF — and what each instrument contributes to the same research question→ How her lab repurposed a 3D printer as a custom automated XYZ sampling stage with 50µm movement precision→ Managing high-dimensional metabolomics data across two polarities, two cell lines, and two mass analyzers — the pipeline explained→ What unsupervised machine learning (PCA) showed in early results→ The path from cell lines to excised tumor tissue to, ultimately, liquid biopsies→ Advice for analytical chemists considering work at the chemistry–oncology interface🔗 CONNECT WITH RACHEL WOODLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rachel-wood-7b64492a2/Queen's University – Oleschuk Lab: https://oleschuklab.ca/📬 CONCENTRATING ON CHROMATOGRAPHYWebsite: https://concentratingonchromatography.com/Organomation: https://www.organomation.com🔬 ABOUT ORGANOMATIONOrganomation manufactures nitrogen blowdown evaporators, nitrogen generators, and sample concentration instruments for analytical laboratories worldwide#MassSpectrometry #AmbientIonization #Metabolomics #KidneyCancer #ccRCC #DESI #AIMS #CancerResearch #AnalyticalChemistry #Chromatography #Biomarkers #LiquidBiopsy #ReanalCellCarcinoma #MachineLearning #PCA #LabScience #GradSchool #Queen'sUniversity #Oncology #SamplePreparation
What if you could compress 179 days of grueling laboratory workflow into just 14 hours?In this episode of @ChromatographyTalk , @Organomation General Manager David Oliva sits down with analytical chemist Laura Penabad to discuss her groundbreaking new research in biocatalysis and high-throughput screening. Evolving engineered enzymes typically requires checking thousands of variants—a massive bottleneck when traditional Liquid Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (LC-MS) runs take minutes per sample. Laura reveals how her team built a modular screening platform that shatters this limitation, running samples 128 times faster than standard methods without sacrificing analytical accuracy.Laura breaks down the "orchestra" of technologies making this possible, including coupling nanoliter droplet microfluidics with Cyclic Ion Mobility-Mass Spectrometry (cIM-MS) to separate complex chemical isomers in milliseconds. She also shares the chaotic but triumphant behind-the-scenes stories of her PhD journey—from presenting a "comically bad" early poster at ASMS to recruiting an undergraduate mechanical engineer to build custom automation software from scratch.If you are an early-career researcher, a mass spec enthusiast, or curious about the future of synthetic biology and machine learning in chemistry, this episode is packed with invaluable intuition and advice.#MassSpectrometry #AnalyticalChemistry #Chromatography #Biocatalysis #DirectedEvolution #IonMobility #PhDJourney #LabAutomation #WomenInSTEM #SyntheticBiology
Chromatography software hasn't fundamentally changed in decades — but the peaks it's trying to measure have gotten a lot harder to solve. In this episode of @ChromatographyTalk I sit down with Ron Brown, creator of PeakFit and PeakLab, and returning guest Dr. M. Farooq Wahab, analytical chemist and research engineering scientist at the University of Texas at Arlington, to dig into the real science (and art) of peak modeling.We cover why baseline subtraction and denoising matter before you ever touch a peak model, the difference between true mathematical deconvolution and the "deconvolution" most chromatographers mean when they say it, and why mass balance is the line between a valid peak model and bad science. Ron walks through the historical roots of peak modeling going back over a century, and explains how his HVL and generalized moment models build on pioneers whose work rarely gets the recognition it deserves.We also get into resolving completely co-eluting peaks using 3D PDA/DAD data, multivariate curve resolution, and derivative-based zero-crossing methods — techniques that go well beyond what a single chromatographic dimension can tell you. And we close with a candid conversation about generative AI's growing role in analytical chemistry: where it genuinely accelerates good science, where it's eroding foundational skills in newer chemists, and why Farooq argues AI is only as useful as the prepared mind using it.In this episode:- What peak modeling actually solves that chromatography alone can't- Why baseline correction and denoising come before any modeling step- The historical origins of peak fitting, from Carl Clarison to Van der Linden- True deconvolution vs. what the field commonly (and incorrectly) calls deconvolution- Why mass balance is non-negotiable in a valid peak model- Using the F-statistic and information criteria to choose the right model complexity- Resolving fully co-eluting peaks with 3D spectral data and MCR-ALS- Generative AI's expanding role in chromatographic data processing — and its risks for early-career scientistsAbout our guests:Ronald E. Brown is a chemical engineer trained at Purdue University with 36 years of experience developing chromatography and spectroscopy peak modeling software. He is the sole developer of PeakFit and PeakLab, used by spectroscopists, chromatographers, and defense researchers worldwide. His paper on detecting outliers in nonlinear regression using the false discovery rate has been cited more than 1,950 times.Dr. M. Farooq Wahab is an analytical chemist and research engineering scientist at the University of Texas at Arlington. He earned his PhD from the University of Alberta and focuses his research on data processing, non-linear denoising, deconvolution, and generative AI applications in analytical chemistry.🎧 Listen to more episodes of Concentrating on Chromatography: https://open.spotify.com/show/1wZg67rCjoGju4yhqxI3tL?si=n9GLz9zjSCOrVfXPxFPhng🔗 Learn more about Organomation's nitrogen blowdown evaporators and sample prep instruments: https://www.organomation.com/#Chromatography #PeakFitting #AnalyticalChemistry #MassSpectrometry #Deconvolution #ChemometricsAI #HPLC #LabScience
Welcome back to another episode of Concentrating on Chromatography! In this episode of @ChromatographyTalk host David Oliva sits down with Dr. Ansgar Korf, CEO and Co-Founder of mzio GmbH, to explore how their vendor-agnostic platform is fundamentally changing how researchers and industrial users extract value from complex mass spectrometry data.Historically rooted in the open-source academic community as mzmine, Bremen-based mzio has evolved into a powerhouse for multimodal data analysis—spanning LC-MS, GC-MS, ion mobility MS, and MS-imaging. Ansgar pulls back the curtain on how laboratories can break free from proprietary vendor software stacks to streamline workflows across mixed-instrument fleets.We dive deep into their massive announcements from ASMS 2026, including FAIR-MS—an AI-powered initiative utilizing deep learning embeddings to automatically search and match new measurements against archived, historical data sets. We also break down the LIMMIC calibration project, their new small molecule and lipidomics dashboards, and how AI agents will shape the next 5 years of automated, real-time MS data acquisition.Whether you are an industry veteran or an early-career chemist, this episode is packed with insights on avoiding the "black box" of automated analysis while unleashing the true power of your lab's data.Mass Spectrometry, Chromatography, mzio, mzmine, FAIR-MS, LIMMIC, Lipidomics, Metabolomics, Open-Source Science, Analytical Chemistry, AI in Chemistry, Deep Learning, LC-MS, GC-MS, PFAS Analysis, Vendor-Agnostic Software, ASMS 2026
Can sustainability actually make laboratories more efficient—and more profitable?In this episode of Concentrating on Chromatography, @Organomation General Manager David Oliva sits down with James Connelly, CEO of My Green Lab, to discuss how a grassroots movement founded by scientists evolved into the leading global organization for laboratory sustainability.James explains why sustainability is no longer just a "nice-to-have" initiative, how major pharmaceutical companies and funding organizations are driving change, and why laboratory suppliers and instrument manufacturers are becoming increasingly important in helping scientists achieve their environmental goals.Topics include:🔬 How My Green Lab grew from an academic movement into a global standard💰 Why sustainable laboratories often deliver significant financial ROI🏭 The changing role of laboratory equipment manufacturers and suppliers📊 What Scope 1, Scope 2, and Scope 3 emissions actually mean♻️ The ACT Eco Label and sustainable product design⚡ Renewable energy, recycled materials, and resilient supply chains🤖 AI-powered predictive maintenance and smart laboratory technologies🗑️ Emerging innovations in laboratory waste management🌎 Why sustainability is becoming a business imperative across life sciences🎓 The My Green Lab Ambassador and Accredited Professional programsWhether you're an analytical chemist, laboratory manager, instrument manufacturer, or simply interested in the future of scientific research, this episode provides practical insights into how sustainability is transforming laboratories around the world. Subscribe to @ChromatographyTalk for more conversations with leaders in chromatography, mass spectrometry, sample preparation, and analytical science.#Sustainability #GreenLab #MyGreenLab #LaboratoryScience #Chromatography #MassSpectrometry #AnalyticalChemistry #LifeSciences #ESG #SciencePodcast
Why should analytical chemists, chromatographers, and researchers care about science communication? Is publishing papers enough? How can scientists increase their visibility without spending hours on social media?In this episode of @ChromatographyTalk , David is joined by Lisa Jones and Johnnie Aycock, co-hosts of @TheNoonShow100.1 and creators of the upcoming BrightPath program on Alabama Public Radio. Together, they explore why communicating science matters—not just for public understanding, but for research funding, industry partnerships, talent development, and the future of innovation itself.From translating complex ideas with simple analogies to building relationships beyond the laboratory, this conversation offers practical advice for scientists who want their work to have a greater impact.In this episode:🔬 Why scientists need to tell their story beyond journal publications🎙️ How researchers can communicate complex science to non-scientists💡 Why visibility matters for funding, collaboration, and career opportunities🏭 Bridging the gap between academia and industry🤝 The importance of partnerships and advocacy for research📢 Practical first steps for chemists who want to promote their work🧪 Why conferences alone aren't enough to reach broader audiences🎓 How science communication can inspire the next generation of scientists🌎 The role of research in economic development and global competitiveness🎧 The vision behind BrightPath and bringing science stories to the publicMemorable topics discussed:Explaining chromatography through the analogy of making coffeeWhy researchers should "lead with why it matters"Lessons learned from interviewing scientists across AlabamaThe connection between research, workforce development, and economic growthHow communication can influence public support for scienceWhy showing up and building relationships often matters more than perfectionFeatured GuestsLisa JonesFormer University of Alabama Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry staff member (27 years)Co-host of The Noon ShowScience communication advocate and STEM enthusiastJohnnie AycockFormer President & CEO of the West Alabama Chamber of CommerceEconomic development leaderCo-host of The Noon Show🎙️ Concentrating on Chromatography explores chromatography, mass spectrometry, sample preparation, and the people advancing analytical science.If you enjoy conversations about analytical chemistry, LC-MS, GC-MS, sample preparation, and scientific careers, subscribe for future episodes featuring researchers, industry leaders, and innovators from around the world.#Chromatography #AnalyticalChemistry #MassSpectrometry #ScienceCommunication #STEM #Research #LCMS #GCMS #Chemistry #SciencePodcast #Scientists #AcademicResearch #Innovation #Spectroscopy #CareersInScience #ConcentratingOnChromatography
In this episode of @ChromatographyTalk David sits down with Dr. Darshil Patel, Assistant Professor of Forensic Science at the University of North Dakota, to discuss his remarkable journey from dentistry in India to becoming a leading researcher in forensic chemistry across Australia, Canada, and the United States.Dr. Patel shares how his work at human taphonomic facilities—commonly known as "body farms"—has helped advance our understanding of human decomposition and the volatile compounds released during the postmortem process. Using comprehensive two-dimensional gas chromatography coupled with time-of-flight mass spectrometry (GC×GC-TOFMS), his research aims to improve human remains detection, cadaver dog training, and the development of future electronic sensing technologies.Topics discussed include:🔬 How a dentist became a forensic scientist🌏 Working in Australia, Canada, and the United States⚰️ What human taphonomic facilities ("body farms") really do🧪 The chemistry of human decomposition📈 Why GC×GC-TOFMS excels at analyzing complex VOC mixtures🐕 How chromatography can improve cadaver dog training🤖 The future of electronic noses and human remains detection🏔️ Challenges posed by geography and environmental conditions🏫 Building a new forensic chemistry laboratory at the University of North Dakota🔍 The future of forensic chromatographyWhether you're interested in forensic science, chromatography, mass spectrometry, or the chemistry behind real-world investigations, this episode offers a fascinating look into one of the most unique applications of analytical chemistry.#ForensicScience #GCxGC #MassSpectrometry #Chromatography #Forensics #GCMS #TOFMS #AnalyticalChemistry #HumanDecomposition #VOCs #UniversityOfNorthDakota #CadaverDogs #BodyFarm #SeparationScience
In this episode of @ChromatographyTalk , David speaks with Joseph Corstvet from the Fernandez Lab at Georgia Tech about the future of mass spectrometry, LC-MS metabolomics, and the development of low-cost ionization technologies.Joe discusses his work using LC-MS lipidomics to monitor mesenchymal stromal cell (MSC) senescence and explains how metabolomics could eventually become a real-world quality control tool for regenerative medicine and cell therapy manufacturing.The conversation also dives into triboelectric nanogenerators (TENGs) and how these low-cost, modular ionization systems could help make mass spectrometry more portable, accessible, and affordable. Joe explains how TENG-powered electrospray ionization works, why it differs from traditional ESI, and how his group is exploring applications ranging from mass spectrometry imaging to mobile MS platforms.Topics include:• LC-MS metabolomics workflows• Lipidomics and MSC senescence• Biomarker discovery in regenerative medicine• Untargeted metabolomics challenges• TENG ionization technology• Portable and lower-cost mass spectrometry• Mass spectrometry imaging• Ion mobility and future MS trends• ASMS and the future of analytical chemistryIf you enjoy conversations about chromatography, mass spectrometry, metabolomics, and analytical chemistry innovation, be sure to subscribe to Concentrating on Chromatography.#MassSpectrometry #LCMS #Metabolomics #AnalyticalChemistry #Chromatography #Lipidomics #MassSpec #Ionization #ASMS #Biotech
What happens when you replace just one atom in an amino acid?In this episode of @ChromatographyTalk David sits down with JC Poutsma, Professor of Chemistry at William & Mary, to explore the fascinating world of gas-phase ion chemistry, peptide fragmentation, and the hidden molecular behavior revealed by mass spectrometry.Professor Poutsma explains how subtle structural changes in biomolecules can dramatically alter protein folding, fragmentation pathways, and biological activity. The conversation dives into unusual amino acids like canavanine, the “proline effect” in peptide fragmentation, ion mobility spectrometry, IR spectroscopy, and why understanding the fundamentals of chemistry still matters in modern analytical science.Whether you work in LC-MS, proteomics, physical chemistry, or analytical instrumentation—or you simply enjoy learning how molecules behave at the most fundamental level—this episode offers a fascinating look at the chemistry happening behind the spectra.Topics Discussed* What is gas-phase ion chemistry?* How mass spectrometers can function as reaction vessels* Why unusual amino acids matter* The chemistry of canavanine vs arginine* How one atom substitution changes protein behavior* Peptide fragmentation mechanisms in proteomics* The “proline effect” in tandem MS* Ion mobility spectrometry explained* IR spectroscopy for structural characterization* Why understanding analytical fundamentals still matters* Teaching chemistry in the age of AI and automation About the GuestJC Poutsma is a Professor of Chemistry at William & Mary whose research focuses on gas-phase ion chemistry, biomolecular structure, peptide fragmentation, spectroscopy, and the physical chemistry underlying mass spectrometry.#MassSpectrometry #Proteomics #AnalyticalChemistry #LCMS #MassSpec #Chemistry #IonMobility #Spectroscopy #PeptideFragmentation #PhysicalChemistry #ASMS #Chromatography
In this episode of @ChromatographyTalk David speaks with Colette Quinn, Senior Director within the Biologics Business at Waters Corporation, about the rapidly evolving world of pharmaceutical and biopharma QA/QC.As biologics become more complex, QA/QC labs are being pushed beyond traditional pass/fail testing toward deeper molecular characterization, advanced analytics, and data-driven decision making. Colette explains why “the product is the process” in biologics manufacturing, how chromatography and mass spectrometry are transforming QC workflows, and why orthogonal analytical techniques are becoming increasingly important for understanding critical quality attributes (CQAs).The conversation explores:* Why biologics QC differs fundamentally from small molecule pharma* The growing role of LC, HRMS, MALS, CE, and 2D-LC in QA/QC* Challenges surrounding aggregation, co-elution, heterogeneity, and higher-order structure* How automation, software, and machine learning may reshape future QC labs* The importance of data integrity and standardized workflows* Why advanced techniques like MALS and mass spectrometry are moving downstream into QC environments* How QC teams can think scientifically about adopting new analytical technologiesColette also shares insights on building high-performing analytical teams, the skills needed by the next generation of QC scientists, and where she believes the future of real-time release testing and biologics characterization is headed.Whether you work in chromatography, mass spectrometry, pharmaceutical analysis, biologics development, or analytical chemistry, this episode offers a detailed look at how modern QA/QC is evolving alongside increasingly sophisticated therapeutics.#Chromatography #MassSpec #Biologics #Pharma #Biopharma #QualityControl #QAQC #LCMS #MALS #AnalyticalChemistry #Waters #PharmaceuticalAnalysis #Biotechnology #2DLC #QC #MassSpectrometry
What makes capillary LC so powerful—and why are more scientists paying attention to it?In this episode of @ChromatographyTalk , David sits down with Samuel Foster of Axcend to discuss how capillary liquid chromatography is changing the conversation around LC-MS sensitivity, solvent consumption, instrument footprint, and chromatographic efficiency.Sam explains how lower flow rates can dramatically improve electrospray ionization performance, why capillary LC can reduce solvent usage by orders of magnitude, and where the technology is already making an impact in pharmaceutical, environmental, and radiopharmaceutical workflows.They also discuss common misconceptions about capillary LC, why older systems gave the technology a mixed reputation, and why modern advances may make now the right time for labs to take another look.Topics Covered:* What capillary LC is and how it differs from traditional HPLC* Why lower flow rates improve LC-MS sensitivity* Solvent savings and sustainability benefits* Extra-column effects and hidden performance killers* Applications in pharma, biologics, drugs of abuse, and radiopharmaceuticals* Is capillary LC ready for routine lab adoption?* The future of liquid chromatographyIf you work in LC, LC-MS, analytical chemistry, method development, or lab operations, this episode is packed with practical insight.👍 Like, comment, and subscribe for more conversations with leaders in analytical science.#Chromatography #HPLC #LCMS #MassSpectrometry #AnalyticalChemistry #PharmaceuticalAnalysis #LabScience #CapillaryLC
How are PFAS regulations changing, and what role will ion chromatography play in the future of environmental testing?In this episode of @ChromatographyTalk , David interviews Jay Gandhi, PhD, Vertical Markets Manager at Metrohm USA, for an in-depth discussion on PFAS analysis, the rise of AOF (Adsorbable Organic Fluorine) testing, and the development of EPA 1621 and ISO 18127 standards.With more than 30 years of experience in ion chromatography, Jay shares valuable perspective on how the field has evolved—from early applications and NASA water recovery projects to today’s challenges involving PFAS, TFA, and emerging contaminants.Topics covered in this episode include:• What PFAS are and why they matter• The difference between targeted PFAS methods and AOF analysis• How combustion ion chromatography works• Behind the scenes of EPA 1621 and ISO 18127 method development• Regulatory trends in water, textiles, and food packaging• TFA analysis using IC-MS and IC-MS/MS• The future of ion chromatography in environmental labsWhether you work in analytical chemistry, environmental testing, water analysis, or chromatography, this episode offers timely insights from one of the industry’s leading experts.Subscribe for more interviews with scientists, researchers, and industry leaders.#PFAS #Chromatography #IonChromatography #EnvironmentalTesting #Metrohm #AnalyticalChemistry #MassSpectrometry #EPA
What do students really learn before they ever touch an analytical instrument? And is chemistry education keeping up with the pace of modern chromatography, mass spectrometry, and sample preparation?In this episode of Concentrating on Chromatography, David speaks with instructor Natasha Le about the realities of teaching chemistry and separation science to today’s students—many of whom are pursuing careers in medicine, pharmacy, dentistry, and healthcare rather than research.Natasha shares what students struggle with most, why many learners become focused on grades instead of understanding the science, and where the gap exists between textbook chemistry and real-world lab workflows.Topics include:🔹 When students first encounter separation science concepts🔹 Why chromatography is often taught without being labeled as such🔹 The challenge of teaching critical thinking vs. “button pushing”🔹 How mass spectrometry differs in the classroom vs. real labs🔹 Why sample prep skills matter more than students realize🔹 Can universities keep up with rapidly changing analytical technology?🔹 What separates a good chemistry student from a great oneIf you work in chromatography, mass spectrometry, lab education, or are preparing for a career in analytical chemistry, this conversation offers a valuable look at how the next generation is being trained.#Chromatography #MassSpectrometry #AnalyticalChemistry #STEMEducation #HPLC #GCMS #LCMS #ChemistryStudents #SamplePrep #Podcast
What if you could dry biofluid samples in the field—without a vacuum system, freeze dryer, or full lab setup?In this episode of Concentrating on Chromatography, I sit down with Rajas Poorna and Charles Anderson to explore their work on a frugal, field-deployable alternative to traditional lyophilization through the Evapinator project.Originally inspired by the principles of frugal science, their approach rethinks how we stabilize and prepare biofluid samples like blood and plasma—especially in environments where traditional lab infrastructure simply isn’t available.--- 🔬 What This Episode Covers: 🧪 A Frugal Take on Lyophilization* Can you replicate the outcome of a lyophilizer without the complexity?* Why traditional freeze drying is often too expensive and impractical for field use* How simplifying evaporation could unlock entirely new workflows 🌍 Drying Biofluids in the Field* The real-world challenge of handling blood and other biofluids outside the lab* Why sample stability during transport is such a critical bottleneck* How a portable system could enable on-site sample prep in remote or resource-limited settings ⚗️ Rethinking Evaporation (No Vacuum Required)* The core idea behind the Evapinator—and how it challenges conventional assumptions* The role of airflow, heat, and design in drying sensitive samples* Where this approach fits relative to traditional evaporation and lyophilization techniques 🛠️ Early Results & Practical Insights* What’s working so far—and where limitations still exist* The types of applications where this approach shows the most promise* What still needs to be validated in upcoming peer-reviewed work--- ⚗️ Why This MattersFrom clinical research in remote regions to decentralized diagnostics, the ability to dry and preserve biofluid samples in the field could fundamentally change how and where analysis happens.This conversation challenges a core assumption in analytical science:Do you really need a full lyophilizer—or even a vacuum—to stabilize biofluid samples?--- 🚀 What’s NextThis is Part 1 of the conversation.In the follow-up episode, we’ll dive into the peer-reviewed data, performance validation, and how this approach compares directly to traditional lyophilization and evaporation systems.---## 🎧 About the Show @ChromatographyTalk explores the people, technologies, and ideas shaping analytical science—from the lab bench to the field.
In this episode of Concentrating on Chromatography, host Dave Oliva sits down with Chris Reid to explore how chemical biology and LC-MS are being used to tackle one of the most urgent global challenges: antimicrobial resistance.As antibiotic resistance continues to rise—and new drug development struggles to keep pace—researchers are looking beyond traditional approaches. Instead of targeting how bacteria build their cell walls, Chris’s work focuses on how they break them down, opening the door to entirely new antimicrobial strategies.--- 🔬 What You’ll Learn in This Episode:* Why antimicrobial resistance is accelerating globally* What peptidoglycan is and why it’s essential to bacterial survival* How targeting cell wall degradation differs from traditional antibiotics* The strategy behind designing small molecule probes and inhibitors* How LC-MS is used to analyze peptidoglycan fragments and enzyme activity* Key analytical challenges: complex mixtures, low-abundance species, and structural similarity* The importance of sample preparation and reproducibility in LC-MS workflows* How this research could lead to new antibiotic targets--- ⚗️ LC-MS in FocusThis episode dives deep into how LC-MS enables:* Detection of peptidoglycan fragment profiles* Analysis of cross-linking patterns via retention time and mass* Identification of structural changes using tandem mass spectrometryChris also shares practical insights on:* Sample prep challenges with insoluble biomaterials* Common pitfalls in LC-MS workflows* How to ensure consistent, reproducible data--- 🚀 Why This MattersWith bacteria rapidly evolving resistance to existing drugs, the need for new antimicrobial strategies has never been greater. This research highlights how combining chemistry, biology, and analytical science can uncover entirely new ways to fight infection.--- 🎧 About the Show @ChromatographyTalk explores the intersection of analytical chemistry, sample preparation, and real-world applications across research and industry.--- 🔔 Subscribe for more conversations on:* LC-MS & chromatography* Sample preparation strategies* Real-world analytical workflows* Emerging applications in life sciences--- 🧠 Key Takeaway “We’re rapidly running out of tools in our arsenal to combat resistant organisms.”
What if most PFAS contamination isn’t even being measured?In this episode of Concentrating on Chromatography, we sit down with Dr. Leigh Terry from the University of Alabama to explore one of the biggest challenges in environmental analysis today: understanding—and accurately measuring—PFAS in water systems.While most regulatory methods focus on a small number of compounds like PFOA and PFOS, there may be thousands of PFAS compounds in the environment—and much of that burden goes undetected.--- 🔬 In this episode, we cover:* Why PFAS are called “forever chemicals” (and why that label is evolving)* The limitations of targeted LC-MS/MS methods* What the fluorine mass balance problem reveals about PFAS destruction* How combustion ion chromatography (CIC) helps measure total organofluorine* Why “99.99% removal” doesn’t always mean what you think* Where PFAS actually end up in wastewater treatment systems* The most effective technologies for PFAS removal today* Why drinking water may only account for ~20% of total PFAS exposure--- 💡 Key Insight:Even when analyzing dozens of PFAS compounds, researchers may only be capturing a small fraction of total organic fluorine—raising major questions about how we monitor and regulate these contaminants.--- 👤 About Our Guest:Dr. Leigh Terry leads research focused on water quality, emerging contaminants, and PFAS monitoring and treatment, combining advanced analytical chemistry with real-world environmental applications.--- 🎧 About the Podcast:Concentrating on Chromatography explores the intersection of analytical chemistry, mass spectrometry, and real-world lab applications—featuring researchers solving today’s most important scientific challenges.---👉 Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more conversations with leaders in chromatography and analytical science.--- 🔗 Connect & Learn More:* Follow Dr. Leigh Terry’s work* Explore PFAS research and water quality topics* Subscribe for future episodes --- #Tags#PFAS #WaterQuality #Chromatography #MassSpectrometry #LCMS #EnvironmentalScience #AnalyticalChemistry #ForeverChemicals
In this episode of Concentrating on Chromatography, David Oliva sits down with Amanda Guiraldelli Mahr to break down one of the most important (and often misunderstood) concepts in analytical chemistry: Analytical Quality by Design (AQbD).If you’ve ever relied on trial-and-error for method development—or wondered how top labs are using Design of Experiments (DOE), modeling, and AI to work smarter—this episode is for you.Amanda shares insights from her work across small molecules, peptides, proteins, and biopharmaceuticals, including her experience with LC-MS, metabolomics, impurity analysis, and oligonucleotide therapeutics.--- What You’ll Learn in This Episode:* What AQbD actually means (in simple terms)* How DOE differs from traditional one-factor-at-a-time experiments* Why modern labs are shifting toward predictive, data-driven method development* The biggest benefits of DOE: more insight with fewer experiments** Real-world example: optimizing oligonucleotide impurity separations using AQbD * Key LC parameters that impact performance (pH, gradient, column, temperature)* Challenges of working with large molecules vs. small molecules* Tools and software for DOE and chromatographic modeling* How AI and modeling are shaping the future of chromatography --- Key Takeaway“Shift your mindset from testing to understanding.”--- 👩🔬 **Who This Episode Is For:* Undergraduate and graduate chemistry students* Analytical scientists and method developers* Pharma & biopharma professionals* Anyone working with LC, LC-MS, or chromatography method development--- 🔗 Connect with AmandaLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amanda-guiraldelli-mahr-05501684/ (https://www.linkedin.com/in/amanda-guiraldelli-mahr-05501684/)--- 🎙️ **About the Podcast**Concentrating on Chromatography explores the people, tools, and ideas shaping the future of analytical science.---📌 KeywordsChromatography, LC-MS, Analytical Chemistry, AQbD, Design of Experiments, DOE, Method Development, Biopharma, Oligonucleotides, Mass Spectrometry, Pharmaceutical Analysis
In this episode of Concentrating on Chromatography, we sit down with Kelly Broster McMahon to explore the analytical science behind one of the most important pharmaceutical trends today: GLP-1 therapeutics.Drugs like Semaglutide have transformed the treatment of diabetes and obesity—but ensuring their safety, efficacy, and quality requires cutting-edge analytical workflows.In this conversation, we break down how chromatography and high-resolution mass spectrometry (LC-MS) work together to characterize complex peptide therapeutics, detect trace-level impurities, and support drug development from early research through regulated manufacturing.🔬 What You’ll Learn* Why GLP-1 drugs are uniquely challenging to analyze* How LC-MS enables detailed peptide characterization* The importance of detecting low-level impurities for patient safety* How analytical workflows scale from R&D to manufacturing* The role of software and data platforms in modern labs* Where chromatography and mass spectrometry are heading next 🧠 Key TakeawaysGLP-1 therapeutics are a “proof point” for the future of analytical chemistry—where success depends not on measuring more, but on measuring the right things earlier, with confidence.As molecules become more complex, integrated workflows combining chromatography, high-resolution mass spectrometry, and advanced informatics are becoming essential to ensure data integrity, regulatory compliance, and ultimately, patient safety. 🎙 About the GuestKelly Broster McMahon is a Senior Manager of Market Development and Collaborations at Thermo Fisher Scientific, with over 15 years of experience in LC-MS and protein mass spectrometry. Her work focuses on translating complex analytical challenges into scalable, compliant workflows for the biopharmaceutical industry.🔗 About the Podcast @ChromatographyTalk on Chromatography explores the science and workflows behind separation science, mass spectrometry, and analytical chemistry.GLP-1 drugs, semaglutide analysis, LC-MS, mass spectrometry, chromatography, peptide therapeutics, impurity analysis, biopharma analytics, Orbitrap, UHPLC, analytical chemistry podcast
Producer's note
Steal the structure. Not the show.
Keep the useful structure, then change the audience, point of view, and voice until the idea is unmistakably yours.
