Eastern Analytical Symposium & Exposition 2022 Final Program

Importance of the topic

Embracing analytical diversity is central to addressing contemporary scientific and societal challenges — from sustainable chemistry and environmental contamination to robust pharmaceutical development and forensic investigations. The 2022 Eastern Analytical Symposium (EAS) framed these needs through a three-day, fully in-person program that highlighted methodological breadth (spectroscopy, separations, mass spectrometry, NMR, electrochemistry, chemometrics) and the cross-disciplinary tools required for reliable, reproducible and sustainable analytical practice.

Objectives and overview of the symposium

The symposium aimed to: promote intellectual exchange among analytical scientists; present advances across analytical subdisciplines; provide professional development (short courses, workshops); expose attendees to vendor innovations in an extended exposition; and recognize outstanding contributions through multiple awards. The thematic emphasis was Embracing Analytical Diversity for a Sustainable Future, with plenary, keynote and breakfast lectures, affiliated “conferences-in-miniature” covering specialized topics, and numerous poster and demo sessions.

Methodology and program structure

Rather than a single experimental study, EAS 2022 implemented a comprehensive program format to disseminate knowledge and foster collaboration. Key structural elements included:

• Plenary and keynote lectures (e.g., Dr. Raychelle Burks on sensing and social justice; Dr. Elisabeth Bik on research misconduct; Prof. Angela Belcher on biologically grown batteries).
• Thematic mini-conferences spanning bioanalysis, mass spectrometry, chromatography, spectroscopy, NMR, chemometrics, environmental and forensic analysis, pharmaceutical analysis, and green chemistry.
• Short courses and hands-on sessions: HPLC/UHPLC fundamentals, SFC, LC–MS method development and sample prep, NMR basics, AQbD, and top-down proteomics.
• Poster sessions, technology demonstrations, an expanded exposition with evening hours, vendor-led demo rooms and lunchtime seminars.
• Career and student development offerings: workshops, employment bureau, Speed Mentoring, and student awards.

Used instrumentation

The program and exposition prominently featured state-of-the-art analytical instrumentation and platforms. Representative technologies showcased or discussed included:

• Liquid chromatography systems: ACQUITY Premier UPLC, capillary and UHPLC configurations, SFC set-ups, tandem-column/2D-LC approaches and specialized stationary phases (e.g., PGC, HILIC, chiral CSPs).
• Mass spectrometry: high-resolution MS, ion mobility (TIMS), IR-MALDESI imaging, CDMS (charge detection MS) for very-high-mass species, GC–MS/Pyrolysis-GC-MS for microplastics, LC–MS/MS and targeted platforms for PFAS and biopharmaceutical characterization.
• NMR spectroscopy: solution and solid-state NMR, hyperpolarization, compact/mobile NMR solutions and advanced pulse sequence applications.
• Vibrational spectroscopy: Raman (including SERS), FT-IR/FT-NIR, handheld/portable Raman and micro-spectroscopy for field and forensic use.
• Electrochemical and biosensor platforms: light-addressable electroanalysis, bioelectrocatalysis, and functional biosensors for pain or infectious disease assessment.
• Process Analytical Technology (PAT) tools: online Raman/FTIR, automated particle imaging with Raman, and PAT-enabled automation systems.
• Robotic automation and laboratory informatics: Andrew+ robot interfaced with chromatography systems, LIMS, cloud-based visualization and AQbD/platform software for analytical lifecycle management.

Main results and discussion

Across sessions, recurring technical conclusions and community insights emerged:

• Analytical Diversity as Necessity — Integration across orthogonal methods (spectroscopy + separations + MS + chemometrics) was shown to be essential for solving complex real-world problems (PFAS, counterfeit drugs, complex biologics).
• High-Resolution & High-Mass Capabilities — Advances in ion mobility, HRMS and charge-detection MS extend reliable analysis into large assemblies (e.g., viral vectors, nanoparticles), improving characterization in biotherapeutics and gene therapies.
• Data Science & Chemometrics — Machine learning, deep learning and robust model selection enhance interpretation of complex spectroscopic and chromatographic data, particularly for handheld/field instruments and non-targeted analyses.
• Sustainability & Green Separations — Sessions emphasized greener workflows (SFC, solvent reduction, AQbD-guided method design) and the role of instrument sensitivity in enabling lower-impact analyses.
• Quality & Integrity — Presentations on data integrity, research misconduct, and laboratory management underscored the need for procedural rigor, reproducible workflows and audit-ready informatics in regulated environments.
• Field-Deployable Tools — Mature portable technologies (handheld Raman, portable XRF, compact NMR) combined with chemometrics enable rapid, on-site screening for forensics, food, and environmental monitoring.

Benefits and practical applications

EAS 2022 delivered practical value for multiple stakeholder groups:

• Researchers and industry scientists gained exposure to cutting-edge instrumentation and workflows for small molecules, biologics, and environmental contaminants.
• Laboratory managers and QA/QC personnel received actionable insights on AQbD, method lifecycle management, data integrity, and automation strategies to improve throughput and regulatory compliance.
• Forensic practitioners and field analysts explored robust portable-analysis methods and validation case studies relevant to on-site screening and evidentiary workflows.
• Students and early-career scientists benefited from short courses, mentoring, career workshops and networking opportunities with vendors, academic leaders and hiring managers.

Future trends and opportunities

Key trajectories identified at the symposium that will shape analytical chemistry in the near-to-medium term include:

• Convergence of data science and instrumentation — real-time ML-assisted decision tools for PAT, autonomous method optimization and self-validating workflows.
• Further miniaturization and portability — increased performance from handheld spectroscopy and compact MS/NMR systems for field-deployable, decentralized testing.
• Sustainability-driven method design — expanded adoption of SFC, solvent-minimizing separations, green sample prep and lifecycle thinking in analytical method development.
• Expanded mass-range characterization — CDMS and advanced ion mobility enabling routine measurement of viruses, VLPs and large nanomaterials with direct implications for vaccines and gene therapy analytics.
• Standardization and data integrity — broader implementation of 21 CFR Part 11-compliant platforms, cloud-based LIMS, and digital traceability across method lifecycle stages.
• Frugal and democratized instrumentation — platforms such as Foldscope and low-cost modular imaging (PlanktoScope) illustrating the potential for broader access to scientific tools in education and resource-limited settings.

Conclusion

The 2022 EAS program reinforced that analytical diversity — combining orthogonal techniques, modern data science, sustainable practices and accessible instrumentation — is essential for tackling current analytical challenges across environmental, pharmaceutical, forensic and biological domains. The symposium successfully coupled high-level scientific discourse with practical training, vendor engagement, and community-building activities that together accelerate adoption of robust, future-ready analytical workflows.

Reference

The summary is based on the EAS 2022 Final Program and associated session abstracts, award citations, short course listings, and exposition descriptions published by the Eastern Analytical Symposium & Exposition, November 14–16, 2022, Plainsboro (Princeton), NJ. The program documents identified keynote/plenary speakers, awardees and major technical themes summarized above.