Concentrating on Chromatography

Haloacetic acids (HAAs) are disinfection byproducts formed when chlorine or bromine reacts with organic matter in water—and some are linked to serious health concerns. In this episode of Concentrating on Chromatography, we sit down with Jessica Whitehouse, MSc student at the University of Calgary, to discuss how she developed a GC-MS method to detect and quantify HAAs in real-world water samples....

In this episode of Concentrating on Chromatography, host David Oliva sits down with Dr. Steven Weinman, Associate Professor of Chemical and Biological Engineering at the University of Alabama, to explore how membrane science and chromatography intersect in modern separation challenges. Steven shares his journey from chemical engineering student to membrane researcher, and explains how membranes ar...

How do the hidden carbohydrate structures on your favorite protein powders shape the gut microbiome? In this episode of Concentrating on Chromatography, Matthew Bolino, M.S., from the University of Nevada, Reno, breaks down his latest research on N‑glycans from common dietary proteins (whey, egg white, soy, and pea) and how their structural diversity influences microbial fermentation and short‑cha...

In this episode, we interview Daniel Reddy, 2025 CAS Future Leader and PhD candidate at Queen's University, about his groundbreaking research on automated mass spectrometry and dried matrix spots (DMS).Dan's work combines computer vision, 3D printer automation, and laser micromachining to revolutionize sample preparation—reducing CO₂ emissions by 28-fold and organic solvent use by 21-fold...

Join us as we sit down with Jim Gearing, Associate Vice President of Marketing for Agilent's Gas Phase Division, to explore how the world of chromatography is changing and how intelligent instrument design is meeting users where they are. This interview was conducted in collaboration with Separation Science, the premier online learning platform for analytical scientists, providing expert conte...

In this episode of Concentrating on Chromatography, we sit down with Dr. Lee Polite from Axion Training Institute to break down one of analytical chemistry's most powerful yet misunderstood techniques: gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC/MS).What You'll Learn:- Why GC and MS are the "perfect pair" – and what happens when you try to use MS alone- The electron gun: how molecul...

Connor Johnson, a researcher from the University of Alberta, discusses his award-winning honours project analyzing the volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in two banana species using headspace gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (HS-GC-MS). He completed this specific project as an undergraduate at Thompson Rivers University (TRU).For over 60 years, commercial banana flavoring has remained unchanged...

Join us for an in-depth conversation with Holly Lee, Global Technical Marketing Specialist at SCIEX, as we explore the cutting edge of food and environmental safety testing. Holly shares her expertise on analyzing ultra-short chain PFAS like TFA, masked mycotoxins, pesticide residues, and the latest LC-MS/MS workflows transforming laboratory efficiency. In this episode of Concentrating on Chromato...

In this episode of Concentrating on Chromatography, we sit down with Alex Brody, an organic chemist at Aqua America, to discuss the rigorous analytical methods required for regulated drinking water testing. Alex walks us through the multi-step PFAS detection process using EPA Method 537.1, including extraction, nitrogen blowdown concentration, and LC-MS analysis. He explains why sample preparation...

In this episode of Concentrating on Chromatography, we sit down with Andreas Metousis, a PhD researcher at the Max Planck Institute of Biochemistry, to explore cutting-edge spatial proteomics and its role in understanding ovarian cancer development. Andreas discusses how Deep Visual Proteomics (DVP)—a method combining artificial intelligence, laser micro-dissection, and advanced mass spectrometry—...

In this episode of Concentrating on Chromatography, David interviews his former high school chemistry teacher, Dr. Kristen Vanderveen from The Bromfield School, about teaching separation science at the high school level. Dr. Vanderveen shares her approach to introducing chromatography, filtration, and gravimetric analysis to both first-year chemistry students and AP Chemistry students. She discuss...

Join host David Oliva from Organomation for an in-depth conversation with Sean Orlowicz, Principal Marketing Development Manager at Phenomenex, about the analytical challenges and innovative solutions for GLP-1 peptide therapeutics like semaglutide and tirzepatide. In this episode, presented in collaboration with Separation Science (https://www.sepscience.com/)—a premier learning platform for anal...

Join us for an insightful conversation with Dr. Ryland Giebelhaus a chromatographer and metabolomics researcher from the University of Victoria, as he breaks down fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT)—a revolutionary treatment changing lives by restoring healthy gut bacteria. In this episode, you’ll learn:- What FMT is and why it’s a game-changer for treating recurrent Clostridioides difficile in...

Join us in this fascinating episode of Concentrating on Chromatography as Dr. Rachael Guenter, PhD, shares her eight-year journey researching neuroendocrine tumors. Discover how her background in plant pathology and engineering shaped her translational medicine approach, and learn about the crucial role of mass spectrometry in uncovering protein-level insights in these rare cancers. Dr. Guenter al...

Join analytical chemist Dr. M. Farooq Wahab from the University of Texas at Arlington as he breaks down the science behind chromatographic peak shapes in this episode of the Concentrating on Chromatography podcast. Perfect for undergraduate chemists and researchers alike, this conversation covers:- What makes an ideal chromatographic peak shape and why it matters - Common reasons your HPLC peaks m...

Join us for an insightful conversation with Pernilla Sörme, Technical Program Director at My Green Lab, as we explore how one organization is transforming laboratories worldwide into leaders in environmental sustainability. Discover the driving mission behind My Green Lab, the measurable impact on research and industry, and real-world tips for saving energy and reducing plastic waste in scientific...

In this episode of the Concentrating on Chromatography podcast, host David Oliva interviews Ainslie Chen about her cutting-edge research on hemoglobin variant testing using liquid chromatography-high resolution mass spectrometry (LC-HR-MS). Ainslie discusses her novel method for separating and identifying hemoglobin subunits with mass shifts less than 1 Da, overcoming critical limitations in conve...

Join us for a fascinating conversation with Dr. Subhoja Chakraborty from the University of Central Florida, whose cutting-edge research targets the global challenge of malaria drug resistance. Dr. Chakraborty shares her journey from structure-based drug design during her PhD to her recent collaborative work repurposing human kinase inhibitors as rapid, selective antimalarials against drug-resistan...

In this special episode of Concentrating on Chromatography, host David Oliva steps into the guest role to share his journey as featured on the Lab Matters podcast. David discusses his transition from a passion for business and economics to leading Organomation, a renowned manufacturer of laboratory instrumentation and sample preparation tools. Organomation's flagship products—like the N-EVAP,...

Join us for an exciting deep dive with Isaac Plutzer, a graduate researcher at Washington University in St. Louis, as he explores the mysterious "dark kinome"—the hundreds of under-studied protein kinases with high potential for therapeutic discovery. In this interview, Isaac explains what kinases are and why a substantial fraction remain enigmatic, despite being critical regulators of c...

Join Dr. Guy Caldwell, Distinguished Research Professor at the University of Alabama, for a riveting and urgent conversation that goes beyond the lab bench to the heart of America’s biomedical research crisis. In this episode, Dr. Caldwell—an internationally recognized leader in neurodegenerative disease research—shares the real-world impact of NIH funding freezes, budget cuts, and policy gridlock...

Join us for a fascinating conversation with Dr. Chad Pozarycki, PhD in analytical chemistry and astrobiology, as we dive into the cutting-edge science behind searching for life beyond Earth. In this episode, we explore groundbreaking research on how biosignature molecules—such as amino acids and ATP—can accumulate and persist in extreme, hypersaline brine environments analogous to those found on M...

🧪 Transform Your Understanding of Modern Chromatography & AI! Join us for an eye-opening conversation with Professor Dwight Stoll from Gustavus Adolphus College as he reveals how his team is revolutionizing liquid chromatography through high-throughput data collection and machine learning. With over 43,000 retention measurements and groundbreaking research spanning three major publications, P...

Join David Oliva on the Concentrating on Chromatography podcast as he interviews Edward Faden, Vice President and co-owner of MAC-MOD Analytical, a leading provider of chromatography solutions since 1986. In this insightful discussion, Edward shares the history and expertise of MAC-MOD, based in Chadds Ford, Pennsylvania, and dives deep into the critical challenges of analyzing PFAS (per- and poly...

Join us for an in-depth conversation with Dr. Eamonn Clark, postdoctoral researcher at the University of Hawaii,  Mānoa and the Water Resources Research Center, as he shares his journey in water research and laboratory innovation. In this episode:- Dr. Clark introduces his work on water treatment and disinfection byproducts, including research following the Red Hill fuel spill in Oahu.- A behind-t...