The Pittcon Podcast

In this season finale episode of the Pittcon Podcast, Mary Kate Donais discusses her work in archaeometry, focusing on the use of non-destructive analytical techniques to study cultural heritage artifacts. She highlights the importance of portable spectroscopy in analyzing artifacts on-site and the role of chemistry in understanding historical objects. You can read the written interview at: https:...

Jonathan Ferguson, Science Business Leader in New Strategy for Shimadzu Scientific Instruments, discusses the challenges and advancements in the field of synthetic psychedelics, focusing on quality control and the detection of unexpected compounds in consumer products. He highlights the importance of collaboration and innovation in ensuring product safety and advancing scientific understanding. Yo...

In this episode, Lloyd M. Smith discusses his journey in the field of proteomics and the development of innovative techniques for analyzing proteoforms. He highlights the significance of top-down proteomics and the potential of proteoform families in understanding complex biological systems. You can read the written interview at: https://www.news-medical.net/news/20250710/The-Proteoform-Puzzle-Unl...

In This Episode, Eric Monroe from the Library of Congress discusses the integration of analytical chemistry in cultural heritage preservation. He highlights the use of advanced technologies like multispectral imaging and GC-MS to analyze and conserve historical documents and artifacts, emphasizing the importance of non-destructive methods. You can read the written interview at: https://www.azom.co...

In this episode, James J. Collins, a pioneer in synthetic biology, discusses the evolution of the field from its inception to its current state. He highlights key innovations such as genetic toggle switches, paper-based diagnostics, and living therapeutics, emphasizing their potential to revolutionize healthcare and address global challenges. You can read the written interview at: https://www.news...

Dominic Gostick, CTO of PerkinElmer, discusses the company's recent transformations and innovations in scientific instrumentation. He highlights the launch of new products like the QSight® 500 and the Spotlight™ Aurora FTIR Microscope, emphasizing their applications in environmental and food safety testing. You can read the written interview at: https://www.azom.com/article.aspx? ArticleID=24384 F...

Kickstarting the new series of the Pittcon Podcast, Sir Professor Cato T. Laurencin discusses his pioneering work in regenerative engineering, a field he founded that combines principles from various disciplines to create new ways to regenerate tissues and organs. He shares insights into his career journey, the development of the Laurencin-Cooper ligament, and the ambitious HEAL Project aimed at r...

In this insightful episode, we welcome Dr. Vicki Grassian, a distinguished professor and expert in environmental chemistry, to discuss the critical role of environmental interfaces in shaping our world. From their effects on health and climate to their impact on ecosystems, Dr. Grassian sheds light on the unseen but powerful interactions happening at the microscopic level. Understanding Environmen...

In this enlightening episode, we are joined by Dr. Rabi Ann Musah, a Professor of Chemistry at the University at Albany, State University of New York. Dr. Musah shares her groundbreaking research on distinguishing between hemp and marijuana, two varieties of Cannabis sativa that are chemically similar yet legally distinct. Dr. Musah explains the primary difference between hemp and marijuana lies i...

In this enlightening episode, we delve into the intricate world of vaping with Dr. Michelle R. Peace, a leading expert in forensic science and toxicology. Join us as we explore the multifaceted relationship between e-cigarettes and ethanol, uncovering the implications for public health and safety. Dr. Peace shares her extensive research on the chemical composition of e-cigarette aerosols, highligh...

In this episode of the Pittcon Podcast, we sit down with Jonathan V. Sweedler, the James R. Eiszner Family Endowed Chair in Chemistry at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, for an in-depth conversation about his extensive career in the sciences. A leading figure in analytical chemistry, Professor Sweedler shares insights into professional development, research innovations, and the importa...

In this episode of the Pittcon Podcast, we interview Amara Holder, a research mechanical engineer at the US Environmental Protection Agency’s Office of Research and Development. We discuss the chemistry of wildfire emissions, particularly in urban interfaces. We explore the unique chemical characteristics of urban fires, advancements in monitoring technologies, community-driven solutions for smoke...

John R. Yates III, Ph. D., is the Ernest W. Hahn Professor in the Departments of Molecular Medicine and Neurobiology at Scripps Research in La Jolla, California. He is renowned for his pioneering work in mass spectrometry-based proteomics, significantly advancing the analysis of complex protein mixtures. Dr. Yates earned his B.A. in Zoology (1980) and M.S. in Chemistry (1983) from the University o...

Dr. Susan Olesik is a prominent figure in the field of chemistry, particularly known for her innovative work in analytical chemistry and mass spectrometry. Her research focuses on the development of advanced analytical techniques to enhance the understanding of complex chemical systems. Dr. Olesik's work emphasizes the importance of nanotechnology and surface chemistry, exploring how these areas c...

Dr. Maria Marco is a prominent microbiologist and professor in the Department of Food Science and Technology at the University of California, Davis. Her research primarily focuses on the health benefits and safety of fermented foods, as well as the microbial processes involved in their production. Key Research Areas 🥗 Probiotics and Gut Microbiome: Dr. Marco has developed an internationally recog...

Join Richard Crocombe, a principal at Crocombe Spectroscopy Consulting, as he shares his extensive journey in the field of spectroscopy, particularly focusing on the evolution and potential of portable spectrometers in enhancing health and fitness technologies. ‍🔬 Advancements in Technology: The integration of photonic integrated circuits allows for the miniaturization of spectrometers, making th...

Join us for an enlightening episode featuring Seth Lyman, a Research Professor at Utah State University and director of the Bingham Research Center. In this podcast, Seth shares his extensive expertise in atmospheric measurements, instrumentation, and analysis, focusing on the environmental outcomes of energy production. Listeners will gain insights into Seth's groundbreaking research, which inclu...

Join Professor Arian Van Asten, a leading expert in forensic analytical chemistry from the University of Amsterdam, as he delves into the innovative world of real-time chemical analysis in forensic science. In this engaging podcast episode, recorded at Pittcon 2024 in San Diego, Professor Van Asten discusses the advancements in portable Near-Infrared (NIR) spectroscopy and its transformative impac...

Dr. Omowunmi Sadik is a Distinguished Professor and Director of The BioSMART Center at the New Jersey Institute of Technology (NJIT). Her research primarily focuses on the development of innovative bioanalytical sensor technologies aimed at improving human health and environmental safety. Specifically, her work involves: 🧪 Understanding Interfaces: Dr. Sadik's group investigates the electrochemic...

We're thrilled to announce that The Pittcon Podcast is back with a second series on Wednesday, 25th September, with an episode featuring Dr. Omowunmi Sadik, keynote speaker at Pittcon 2024 in San Diego. This insightful conversation will focus on Dr. Omowunmi Sadik's research into the development of advanced materials and sensors for environmental monitoring and biomedical applications, utilizing n...

Register now for Pittcon 2024 in San Diego! ⁠https://www.pittcon.org/register⁠ In the final episode of this season of the Pittcon Podcast, we revisit some of our guests to ask what they're looking forward to the most about Pittcon 2024 in San Diego, which is coming up at the end of this month. We'll be back soon with a new set of interviews with key speakers and thought leaders from this year's Pi...

Register for Pittcon 2024 in San Diego!⁠ Dive into the dynamic world of biosensor technology in this insightful interview from Pittcon 2023 with Joseph Wang, Distinguished Professor at the University of California, San Diego. Learn about the latest advancements in biosensor technology, how they are revolutionizing analytical chemistry and medical diagnostics, and their growing impact in various fi...

Register now for Pittcon 2024 in San Diego! Join Matthew Glasscott, a leading researcher in sustainable construction materials, as he explores the key trends shaping green construction. Starting with an introduction to the U.S. Army Engineer Research and Development Center's historic and current projects, Glasscott delves into the importance of sustainable energy and its direct impact on the const...

Register now for Pittcon 2024 in San Diego!⁠ Join us in an enlightening interview with Dr. Jeffrey Dick from Purdue University at Pittcon 2023 in Philadelphia, as we explore the innovative field of small volume chemistry and its impact on laboratory research. In this discussion, Dr. Dick delves into the world of conducting chemical reactions in small volumes, a technique that's reshaping how scien...

Register for Pittcon 2024 in San Diego! 🌟 Experience a series of exclusive interviews with the Pittcon Presidents for 2023-2026, featuring Dr. Jonell Kerkhoff (2023, retired from Alcoa), Melinda Stephens (2024, Geneva College), Heather Juzwa (2025, Shimadzu Corporation), and Donald Antczak (2026, 2023 Exposition Chair). Each of these distinguished leaders shares their vision and plans for their t...