If you have been following my <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://concentratingonchromatography.com/">Concentrating on Chromatography podcast</a>, you know that I am constantly searching for the cutting edge of separation science. After years of interviewing the brightest minds in the field, it has become clear to me that the <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://gcms.labrulez.com/companies/218">Multidimensional Chromatography Workshop (MDCW)</a> is undeniably the best up-and-coming event in our industry.While I was unfortunately traveling in Asia during the most recent session, I was able to catch every detail thanks to the incredible work of <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://gcms.labrulez.com/companies/1">LabRulez</a>. A huge thank you to Ivo Novotný and the LabRulez team for providing <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLg-M6fM-05MrGrDggkl_UKzzcHPWPmssh">Open Access video presentations</a> of the event. Their <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://lcms.labrulez.com/">portal </a>is an invaluable resource for anyone who needs to find technical information quickly and efficiently.<img src="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/Organomation_MDCW_The_Premier_Up_and_Coming_Event_in_Chromatography_2_65b378bf01.jpg" alt="Organomation: MDCW: The Premier Up-and-Coming Event in Chromatography" srcset="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/thumbnail_Organomation_MDCW_The_Premier_Up_and_Coming_Event_in_Chromatography_2_65b378bf01.jpg 245w," sizes="100vw" width="1044" height="455"><h3>The Minds Behind the Magic</h3>I have had the privilege of featuring the core organizers of MDCW on my podcast, including <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://gcms.labrulez.com/articles?search=Katelynn+Perrault+Uptmor">Katelynn Perrault Uptmor</a>, <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://lcms.labrulez.com/articles?search=Dwight+Stoll">Dwight Stoll</a>, and <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://gcms.labrulez.com/articles?search=Petr+Vozka">Petr Vozka</a>. Their dedication to creating a space where forensic chemistry, environmental analysis, and metabolomics intersect is what makes this workshop so unique. The event is a perfect showcase for how multidimensional techniques—like GC×GC and 2D-LC—are essential for tackling the world's most complex samples.<img src="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/Organomation_MDCW_The_Premier_Up_and_Coming_Event_in_Chromatography_265c9ec21e.jpg" alt="Organomation: MDCW: The Premier Up-and-Coming Event in Chromatography" srcset="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/thumbnail_Organomation_MDCW_The_Premier_Up_and_Coming_Event_in_Chromatography_265c9ec21e.jpg 245w," sizes="100vw" width="792" height="230"><h3>Where Sample Prep Meets High-Resolution Analysis</h3>As we often discuss at Organomation, even the most advanced chromatographic systems depend on meticulous sample preparation. Two presentations highlighted in the LabRulez playlist perfectly illustrate the critical role of <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.organomation.com/what-is-solvent-evaporation">solvent evaporation</a> and <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.organomation.com/what-is-sample-concentration">sample concentration</a>.<h3>Chemical Fingerprints: Emma Macturk’s Quest for Hidden Data</h3><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1W5197sp6IY">Emma Macturk</a>, working in Dr. Katelynn Perrault Uptmor’s lab, is redefining how we look at one of the oldest forms of forensic evidence: the fingerprint. While traditional forensics relies on the physical patterns of ridges and whorls, these are often incomplete or smudged in real-world scenarios. Emma’s research shifts the focus to the chemical residue left behind, which can provide vital "class characteristics" like the biological sex and relative age of a suspect.Her optimized workflow is a masterclass in handling complex biological matrices. Using a cotton swab to extract residue from surfaces, the samples are centrifuged and then "<a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://lcms.labrulez.com/article/5392">blown down</a>" (a critical concentration step for any trace analysis) before <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.organomation.com/what-is-reconstitution">being reconstituted for GC×GC-TOFMS</a>.What makes her work truly fascinating—and highly relevant for our readers at Organomation—is the discovery of anthropogenic compounds. Emma identified UVB blockers like octocrylene and various moisturizers hidden within the natural sterols and fatty acids of the skin. The power of multidimensional chromatography allows forensic scientists to resolve these external "lifestyle" markers from endogenous skin compounds, potentially providing a much more detailed profile of a suspect than a physical print ever could.<h3>The "Green" Revolution: Grace Saunders and the Future of Ballistics</h3><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ClD4fjZMNtA">Grace Saunders</a> addressed a looming crisis in forensic ballistics: the shift toward "green ammunition." For decades, the gold standard for detecting gunshot residue (GSR) has been SEM-EDS, which looks for heavy metals like lead, barium, and antimony. However, modern environmental and health standards are leading manufacturers to omit these metals. This means that traditional standards are failing to identify GSR in cases involving green rounds.Grace’s research proposes a dual-pronged approach, using GC×GC to target Organic Gunshot Residue (OGSR). Her liquid extraction protocol is meticulous: samples are extracted in methanol, "<a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.organomation.com/what-is-evaporation-to-dryness">evaporated to dryness under nitrogen</a>," and then reconstituted. This ensures that volatile and semi-volatile nitroaromatic compounds, such as nitroglycerin and diphenylamine, are concentrated enough for detection.By optimizing parameters like the modulation period (2.5 seconds) and switching to hydrogen carrier gas, Grace was able to resolve these critical markers from the complex background "noise" of human skin. Her work isn't just about better chemistry; it’s about legal survival. As she noted, forensic methods must meet Federal Rule 702 for admissibility in court. Without the organic profiling Grace is developing, evidence from a "green" firearm discharge might never make it past a judge.<h3>The Future of Chromatography</h3>The workshop also featured brilliant presenters like <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YJm_JwHbArE">Ryland Giebelhaus</a>, whose work on the metabolomics of cannabis exposure during pregnancy shows the real-world impact of these technologies.The MDCW isn't just another conference; it is a community-driven powerhouse that bridges the gap between proof-of-concept and field-ready applications. Whether you are looking for advanced data reduction strategies or the latest in high-resolution mass spectrometry, this is the event to watch.<blockquote>If you missed it this year like I did, I highly recommend visiting the <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://gcms.labrulez.com/library?search=MDCW">LabRulez portal</a> to see the full breadth of research presented!</blockquote>

MDCW: The Premier Up-and-Coming Event in Chromatography

🎤Alex BrodyIn 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 and quality control are critical for achieving trace-level detection—and why these methods can't be rushed or simplified, even with new technologies available.We also explore taste and odor investigations, disinfection byproducts, and volatile organic compounds, plus the surprising reality of why regulated labs move slowly when adopting new instrumentation. You'll learn about the quality control checkpoints, peer review processes, and the misconceptions surrounding analytical turnaround times in compliance labs.<h5>Topics Covered:</h5><ul><li>Role of organic chemistry in regulated drinking water labs</li><li>EPA compliance requirements and regulatory bodies (EPA, PA-DEP)</li><li>PFAS detection using Method 537.1 and LC-MS</li><li>The critical importance of nitrogen blowdown sample concentration</li><li>Taste and odor analysis: MIB, Geosmin, and unknown compound identification</li><li>Why regulated methods evolve slowly (validation timelines, approval processes)</li><li>Quality control procedures: calibration checks, matrix spikes, surrogate standards, internal standards</li><li>Automated sample preparation and lab efficiency</li><li>Future PFAS regulations and Method 533 expansion</li></ul><h5>Ideal For:</h5><ul><li>Analytical chemists and environmental lab professionals</li><li>Water utilities and compliance officers</li><li>Chromatography practitioners interested in regulated workflows</li><li>Anyone curious about how drinking water safety is ensured</li></ul><h2>Video Transcription</h2><h3>Ensuring Safe Drinking Water Through Advanced Analytical Chemistry</h3><h4>Insights from a Regulated Water Testing Laboratory</h4>Analytical laboratories responsible for regulated drinking water testing operate under strict compliance frameworks to ensure the delivery of safe and reliable water supplies. In this interview, Alex, an organic chemist at Aqua America, outlines the scope of analytical work conducted in a modern water quality laboratory. The team primarily focuses on the determination of taste- and odor-causing compounds, disinfection byproducts, volatile organic compounds (VOCs), and per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). These analyses rely heavily on GC-MS and LC-MS instrumentation, supported by rigorous maintenance programs to ensure continuous operational performance and data reliability.<h4>Regulatory Compliance and Quality Control in Drinking Water Analysis</h4>Operating as a regulated drinking water laboratory requires adherence to stringent requirements established by agencies such as the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and state-level regulatory bodies. Compliance is driven by extensive quality control protocols integrated into every analytical batch. Typical workflows include calibration verification, matrix spike recovery assessments, internal standard monitoring, and surrogate performance checks. Notably, analytical batches are often limited in sample number to accommodate a substantial proportion of quality control samples, reflecting the critical importance of data defensibility in regulatory reporting.One common misconception is the perceived speed at which results can be delivered. In reality, comprehensive sample preparation, including extraction procedures and validation steps, can extend turnaround times to a full working day or longer. Additionally, validated regulatory workflows impose limitations on the rapid adoption of new analytical technologies, as method modifications must undergo formal evaluation and approval before implementation.<h4>Analytical Strategies for Taste and Odor Investigations</h4>Taste and odor events represent a significant operational challenge for water utilities. Standard targeted methods are routinely applied for compounds such as 2-methylisoborneol (MIB) and geosmin, which are commonly associated with earthy or musty sensory characteristics. When targeted analysis does not reveal the source, laboratories employ broad-scan GC-MS screening combined with spectral library interpretation to identify potential causative compounds. In some cases, sensory evaluation panels complement instrumental analysis, providing preliminary insight into potential treatment-related or environmental influences affecting water quality.<h4>PFAS Monitoring: Methodological Complexity and Trace-Level Sensitivity</h4>PFAS determination represents a rapidly evolving priority in drinking water monitoring. The laboratory currently applies EPA Method 537.1, with efforts underway to expand capabilities through certification for Method 533, thereby broadening analyte coverage. Analytical workflows typically involve solid-phase extraction followed by solvent evaporation using nitrogen-assisted blow-down techniques to achieve the trace-level sensitivity required for regulatory compliance. This concentration step is essential because PFAS compounds remain non-volatile under controlled evaporation conditions, enabling enhanced detection performance upon reconstitution and LC-MS analysis.<h4>Future Directions in Drinking Water Analytics</h4>Looking ahead, the primary technological driver in regulated water analysis is the demand for increasingly lower detection limits and expanded compound coverage. While regulatory frameworks can slow methodological innovation, laboratories continue to pursue efficiency improvements, such as automated sample preparation systems and optimized analytical workflows. These advances support the growing need to process high sample volumes while maintaining the stringent data quality standards required for public health protection.Ultimately, the work performed in regulated drinking water laboratories represents a critical intersection of analytical chemistry, environmental monitoring, and public safety. Continuous methodological refinement, coupled with advances in mass spectrometry and sample preparation technologies, will play a central role in addressing emerging contaminants and ensuring long-term water quality assurance.<blockquote>This text has been automatically transcribed from a video presentation using AI technology. It may contain inaccuracies and is not guaranteed to be 100% correct.</blockquote><blockquote><h4>Concentrating on Chromatography Podcast</h4>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!You can find Concentrating on Chromatography Podcast in podcast apps:<ul><li><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://open.spotify.com/show/1wZg67rCjoGju4yhqxI3tL">Spotify</a></li><li><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://podcasts.apple.com/tz/podcast/concentrating-on-chromatography/id1788429185">Apple podcast</a></li><li><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://podscan.fm/podcasts/concentrating-on-chromatography">podscan</a></li></ul>and on <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.youtube.com/@ChromatographyTalk/videos">YouTube channel</a></blockquote>

Regulated Drinking Water Testing: PFAS Detection, Sample Prep & Real Lab Insights

Anna Vanluchene&nbsp;from UCT Prague’s&nbsp;Department of Chemical Engineering has received a&nbsp;prestigious start-up grant from the Dagmar Procházková Fund. However, she did not receive funding right away. In this interview, she describes how she developed ten versions of her&nbsp;Illuminating Flow&nbsp;project idea (combining photocatalysis with flow reactors for pharmaceutical synthesis). She explains why she considers perseverance to be crucial when applying for grants, how international experience has influenced her approach to team management, and how her research can reduce the chemical industry’s&nbsp;dependence on fossil fuels and imports from China.<img src="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/VSCHT_Praha_Na_startovaci_grant_jsem_cekala_dva_roky_a_napsala_deset_verzi_projektu_2_5b7d63b8e9.jpg" alt="VŠCHT Prague/Tomáš Balický: I waited two years for a start-up grant and wrote ten versions of my project idea" srcset="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/thumbnail_VSCHT_Praha_Na_startovaci_grant_jsem_cekala_dva_roky_a_napsala_deset_verzi_projektu_2_5b7d63b8e9.jpg 127w," sizes="100vw" width="1128" height="1387"><h5>What did the Dagmar Procházková Fund grant mean to you?</h5>I&nbsp;consider it to be a&nbsp;great success. It is the first injection of funding that will allow me to ensure full independence for my research endeavour, to start my own research group, and to fund students so I&nbsp;can get started properly.<h5>What have been your previous experiences with grants?</h5>During my doctorate, a cotutelle (international doctorate under dual supervision), I&nbsp;was funded by a&nbsp;grant from the French government. Then I&nbsp;worked at the Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic (CAS) and received a&nbsp;Marie Skłodowska-Curie Action (MSCA) Postdoctoral Fellowship to go abroad. The idea for my now-funded project was developed about two years ago and, since then, I&nbsp;have gradually developed and adapted the idea for various grant calls. I&nbsp;submitted about ten different versions of the proposal. I&nbsp;did not receive a&nbsp;grant from the Dagmar Procházková Fund last year, but this year, my application was successful.<h5>This probably requires a&nbsp;great deal of patience and perseverance.</h5>Certainly, because the success rates for most grants have been declining for some time. But as a&nbsp;motivational example, I&nbsp;will tell the story of Timothy Noel, a&nbsp;Belgian professor of chemistry living in the Netherlands. He applied for the prestigious European Research Council (ERC) grant, which is among the most sought-after in Europe, seven times. But no failure deterred him and eventually he succeeded and opened the door to potentially massive grant funding. He was already one of the world’s&nbsp;top scientists in the field at that time and openly described his journey on his blog <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.noelresearchgroup.com/2022/03/17/my-personal-story-to-obtain-an-erc-grant-7-submissions-4-interviews-and-6-heartbreaks/">blog</a>.<h5>What advice does this convey to other grant applicants and early career researchers?</h5>Start early, read a&nbsp;lot, don’t&nbsp;give up, and—most importantly—apply repeatedly. Learn from rejections and overcome possible frustration from failures. Read blogs and books by successful people, where you will find not only the glorious results of their work, but also the hardships they faced over their entire journeys. Of course, building your team and laboratory is impossible without finances. I&nbsp;myself still hope that I&nbsp;will be able to receive even bigger grants in the future.<h5>How has your international experience influenced your scientific approach?</h5>A&nbsp;lot and on several levels. Different laboratories teach you how to do&nbsp;things differently. You gain varied experience about how different institutions function. You see other people’s&nbsp;positive motivations, their ability to be ambitious without negativity, their involvement in institutional matters, their openness to cooperation with companies (e.g., tech transfers, spin-offs). The most important thing is to broaden your horizons. I&nbsp;see going abroad as a&nbsp;necessity. What I&nbsp;have taken away the most is drive, great support, and the idea that scientific output is not just about metrics, but also about dedication to one’s&nbsp;topic.<h5>What is your Illuminating Flow: Transport Phenomena in Photocatalysis about, in layperson’s&nbsp;terms, and how is it unique?</h5>Most of today’s&nbsp;chemical industry is still based on thermal processes and fossil fuels. Photochemistry enables electrification, where the energy source is photons delivered by LEDs, which can generate electricity from renewable sources. Current research focuses mainly on chemical reactions and their mechanisms, but as a&nbsp;chemical engineer, I&nbsp;focus on designing processes and reactors suitable for industrial use. In batch reactors, light fades rapidly with distance from a&nbsp;source, so much of a&nbsp;reaction mixture is not illuminated. Flow reactors solve this problem, but they bring new challenges such as working with solid catalysts and subsequently scaling up production and achieving higher production rates of the desired chemicals at a&nbsp;given scale.One can imagine a&nbsp;transparent tube with a&nbsp;catalyst on the walls, upon which light shines and through which reactants flow. This project has a&nbsp;unique emphasis on engineering solutions and overall process efficiency.<img src="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/VSCHT_Praha_Na_startovaci_grant_jsem_cekala_dva_roky_a_napsala_deset_verzi_projektu_3_b978abf25c.jpg" alt="VŠCHT Prague/Tomáš Balický: I waited two years for a start-up grant and wrote ten versions of my project idea" srcset="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/thumbnail_VSCHT_Praha_Na_startovaci_grant_jsem_cekala_dva_roky_a_napsala_deset_verzi_projektu_3_b978abf25c.jpg 241w," sizes="100vw" width="1228" height="799"><h5>So, were you inspired by a&nbsp;gap in the market to connect photocatalysis with transport phenomena?</h5>Exactly. I&nbsp;combine my areas of expertise: microfluidics, photocatalytic degradation of organic substances (CAS), and synthesis (MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowship). The idea itself is not new, and pharmaceutical companies are very interested in “greener” photochemistry, but in practice, there is often a&nbsp;lack of appropriate engineering solutions and apparatus for industrial use.<h5>What are the practical applications of your work and what substances are you focusing on?</h5>Mainly on pharmaceuticals and on the synthesis of so-called fine chemicals, which are often the building blocks for the production of pharmaceuticals. There is also a&nbsp;geopolitical dimension to this, i.e. less dependence on imports from China and sustainable synthesis in Europe where it makes economic sense.<h5>And what chemicals are you specifically talking about?</h5>For example, building blocks for advanced synthesis, compounds prepared by trifluoromethylation reactions, or products of oxidation reactions with singlet oxygen. At the same time, we focus on reactions that are, in the classical design process, less safe or technologically demanding, where new approaches, such as photochemistry in flow reactors, could be safer and have better process control. Of course, this is not a&nbsp;universal solution for all types of reactions.<h5>The goal of this project?</h5>I&nbsp;plan to start a&nbsp;fully functional laboratory and research team, create high-quality experimental data on selected molecules and based on them, try to build cooperation with industrial partners. Without data, it is impossible to come to companies with just an idea. Within three years, I&nbsp;would like to have results that can be realistically presented and further developed.<h5>What are the main challenges in transport phenomena during photocatalysis?</h5>The methodology for repeatability of experiments in photochemistry is relatively demanding and there are unforeseen obstacles in building apparatus. Also, the scale-up from microliters to a&nbsp;larger scale.<h5>What methodology will you use, and how big are the microreactors and their flow rates?</h5>I&nbsp;have two different directions in methodological design. The first direction involves microreactors the size of a&nbsp;laboratory slide. You make a&nbsp;structure using a&nbsp;laser, and then you have to cast it and make a&nbsp;microreactor. This allows you to quickly adjust the geometry of the reactor. This method is, of course, not applicable in the commercial setting, but it is ideal for studying transport phenomena and precise measurements.The second direction involves reactors that are flow cells. These are already larger, approximately 15 x 15 centimetres, and their flow rates are in the order of millilitres per hour. This is the initial scale that we will further increase during the project.<h5>There is a&nbsp;big difference between a&nbsp;flow rate of microlitres per hour and industrial needs. Will it not work differently in reality?</h5>Our research will focus on studying the phenomena themselves for now, and scaling will be addressed later. In addition, we will combine the experimental data obtained with computer simulations that will help design suitable conditions for a&nbsp;larger scale. For some high-value fine chemicals, these scales, combined with continuous operation or parallelization of reactors, may already be practically usable.<h5>What catalysts will you use and how will you attach them to the reactor walls?</h5>I&nbsp;am focusing on heterogeneous photocatalysis, and we will mainly use graphitic carbon nitride and its more advanced modifications. These are semiconductor materials that can be synthesized relatively easily and are suitable for immobilization on glass reactor walls. A&nbsp;key part of this project is the creation of a&nbsp;stable catalytic layer for long-term flow-through operations. To increase the contact of reactants with the catalyst, we will also consider multiphase modes, for example, gas bubbling, in order to disrupt the otherwise laminar flow.<h5>Why did you choose this field and the Department of Chemical Engineering?</h5>During my postdoc in Belgium, the department had an opening for an Assistant Professor position that caught my attention and I&nbsp;applied for it. I&nbsp;did my undergraduate, graduate, and initial doctoral studies here, and I&nbsp;love the department. I&nbsp;have a&nbsp;Bachelor’s&nbsp;degree in Chemistry.<h5>Are you collaborating with anyone?</h5>We collaborate with BUT Brno focusing on creating layers and immobilizing catalysts on glass, as well as with the Institute of Chemical Process Fundamentals of the Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic. And as for organic synthesis, we are connected with Ghent University via postdoc internships. At the same time, my colleague Viola Tokárová and I&nbsp;received a&nbsp;Czech Science Foundation grant in cooperation with BUT Brno and Masaryk University, with our part of the project focusing on the use of flow reactors for photochemical reactions and testing the antibacterial properties of photocatalytic materials. And I&nbsp;am writing other grant proposals in which I&nbsp;am trying to build new collaborations.<h5>What does the creation of an independent research group at UCT Prague look like?</h5>I&nbsp;started by renovating the premises that were assigned to me and gradually building my team. It is important for research work to have Ph.D. students; I&nbsp;have already hired one and we will recruit more. In addition to building the group, I&nbsp;will engage in securing further funding for the group, so I&nbsp;will be writing more grant proposals. It is important to think far enough in advance when it comes to prospective funding for a&nbsp;research group.<h5>What type of students are you looking for?</h5>The laboratory and team I&nbsp;are building will be very multidisciplinary, just like the area I&nbsp;am working on. That is why I&nbsp;am looking for students who are attracted to true multidisciplinary research, those who, for example, have knowledge of engineering, but who don’t&nbsp;mind a&nbsp;little bit of pure chemistry. One student in their own right does not have to (and cannot) know every subject, so I&nbsp;will ideally have a&nbsp;team consisting of different people with different research backgrounds. Motivated, DIY-type students who would rather enthusiastically build or invent something themselves than conduct repetitive measurements. Organic or analytical chemists will also find their place here. If this topic is interesting to students in any way, they can definitely contact me. I&nbsp;am also open to interdepartmental cooperation with other UCT Prague Faculties.<h5>How would you describe your path to photocatalysis/chemical engineering?</h5>Studying Chemistry as an undergrad gave me a&nbsp;broad perspective, but I&nbsp;was gradually narrowing my focus and eventually chose engineering. Chemical engineering intrigued me with its logic and was the easiest for me to grasp at the time. But I&nbsp;have always enjoyed working on projects more than the studies themselves. Even during my Bachelor studies, I&nbsp;really enjoyed and was interested in the Professor Štěpánek Group’s&nbsp;projects, where I&nbsp;was doing something completely different than I&nbsp;do&nbsp;now. I&nbsp;only got into photochemistry during my time at CAS and then, during my postdoctoral fellowship, I&nbsp;devoted myself to electrochemistry. My current focus is, thus, a&nbsp;natural interlinking of all these areas. Consequentially, I&nbsp;developed an awareness of the necessity to become independent and return to the department with my own, different research agenda, which, in my opinion, is an important and correct basis for establishing my own research group.<h5>What is the biggest challenge of this project for you?</h5>The transition from being a&nbsp;postdoc to a&nbsp;leadership position is a&nbsp;big change for me and I&nbsp;think it is not talked about enough. It means a&nbsp;shift from my own experimental work to leading a&nbsp;team, planning and delegating tasks, and motivating students. From a&nbsp;practical point of view, one of the main challenges is the transfer of reactions from the microscale to functional systems, the construction of reactors, the immobilization of catalysts, and generally confirming that this direction makes sense in the long term and that it has future potential.<img src="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/VSCHT_Praha_Na_startovaci_grant_jsem_cekala_dva_roky_a_napsala_deset_verzi_projektu_1_66ac267e06.jpg" alt="VŠCHT Prague/Tomáš Balický: I waited two years for a start-up grant and wrote ten versions of my project idea" srcset="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/thumbnail_VSCHT_Praha_Na_startovaci_grant_jsem_cekala_dva_roky_a_napsala_deset_verzi_projektu_1_66ac267e06.jpg 155w," sizes="100vw" width="830" height="839">

I waited two years for a start-up grant and wrote ten versions of my project idea

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The University of Chemistry and Technology, Prague is a natural centre of first-rate study and research in the area of chemistry in Czechia and is one of the country's largest educational and research institutions focused on technical chemistry, chemical and biochemical technologies, material and chemical engineering, food chemistry, and environmental studies.

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</blockquote>

Separation Science: LC-MS/MS Method Development and Optimization with Restek’s Pro EZLC Chromatogram Modeler

LC-MS/MS Method Development and Optimization with Restek’s Pro EZLC Chromatogram Modeler

LC-MS/MS Method Development with Restek’s Pro EZLC

Unknowns analysis with the new MassHunter Explorer software combines all the pieces needed for your analysis workflow into the same window, transitioning smoothly between feature finding, statically relevant feature selection and identification.
An omics sample set will let us tour this new software and discuss steps to get even more out of your unknowns analysis.
<blockquote>
Presenter: Cathyrin Simmermaker (LC/MS Applications Engineer, Agilent Technologies, Inc.)
</blockquote>
<blockquote>
Cate Simmermaker is an LC/MS application engineer with Agilent Technologies working primarily with high-resolution mass spectrometry in small-molecule analysis. Cate has worked in applications including metabolomics, food safety, and forensics on Q-TOF and QQQ platforms. She is currently pursuing her PhD in chemistry from the University of the Pacific and received a Master’s in biochemistry from San Francisco State University.
</blockquote>

Agilent Technologies: Unscramble Your Metabolomics Data

Unscramble Your Metabolomics Data

An omics sample set will let us tour this new software and discuss steps to get even more out of your unknowns analysis.

How about a 20 minute coffee break along with a bite of <a href="https://lcms.cz/products/627">Empower</a>? Here you go!
In this session we demonstrate how to create and use Customer Fields to generate workflows in Empower
A Custom Field is a user defined field (or column) of information in a table. Creating Custom Fields gives you the ability to create tailored sample identifiers and calculations beyond what Empower provides by default. During this series, we will explore the various types of Custom Fields that can be created and provide some practical examples.
Learn more and register!
<blockquote>
Presenter: Carsten Fischer (Informatics Product Marketing, EMEA, Waters Corporation)
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Waters - Informatics series #12 Adjust Empower very flexible to your specific needs

Adjust Empower very flexible to your specific needs

In this session we demonstrate how to create and use Customer Fields to generate workflows in Empower.

When it comes to chemical quantitative analysis, researchers often find themselves navigating multiple software packages. Mastering these tools to achieve the same level of expertise and reproducibility is a major pain point.
Further disruption to the workflow can occur when one needs to switch tools depending on the analytical technique or data format or even resort to using spreadsheets or in-house tools that require manual processes and are prone to error. 
To overcome these challenges, Wiley’s new KnowItAll Quantitation tool provides a single, easy-to-use tool to perform these tasks consistently in a vendor-neutral environment. 
<h4>In this session we will:</h4>
<ul>
<li>Introduce KnowItAll’s simple and intuitive quantitation process, its unique features, and how it can streamline and enhance your analytical workflow.
</li>
<li>Demonstrate through live examples the various methods supported by KnowItAll: external calibration, internal calibration, and standard addition analysis, and how to successfully quantify spectra of unknown concentration.
</li>
</ul>
<h4>This session is recommended for:</h4>
<ul>
<li>Scientists and analytical chemists who use AT-IR, IR, GC-MS, Raman, and UV-Vis techniques for spectral quantitative analyses.
</li>
<li>Professors and students engaged in analytical chemistry and quantitative analysis courses or lab work.
</li>
</ul>
<h4>About KnowItAll Solutions:</h4>
KnowItAll offers solutions to analyze and manage multiple types of spectral and chemical data in multiple file and instrument formats. KnowItAll&#39;s integrated toolsets eliminate the need for multiple software packages and increase overall lab efficiency. Combined with the comprehensive spectral reference database, KnowItAll provides chemists the most advanced technology available for spectral analysis.
<blockquote>
Presenter: Dr. Leanna Ergin (Assistant Editor, Wiley Science Solutions)
</blockquote>
<blockquote>
 Q&amp;A with:
Nadia Laschuk (Product Manager - Software and Databases - New Techniques)
Michelle D’Souza (Product Manager, Software Products)
</blockquote>

Wiley: Introducing KnowItAll Quantitation: Complete & Simplify Your Analytical Workflow

Introducing KnowItAll Quantitation: Complete & Simplify Your Analytical Workflow

We will Introduce KnowItAll’s simple and intuitive quantitation process and demonstrate through live examples the various methods supported by KnowItAll.

Introducing KnowItAll Quantitation

<h4>Translation of clinical metabolomics into routine applications</h4>
<blockquote>
Presenter: Prof. David Friedecký (Head of the Department of Clinical Biochemistry, University Hospital Olomouc, Czech Republic)
David Friedecký is an analytical chemist and professor of clinical biochemistry with over 20 years of experience in routine laboratory diagnostics. Currently, he is the Head of the Department of Clinical Biochemistry at the University Hospital Olomouc, Czech Republic. His expertise includes the clinical applications of liquid chromatography and mass spectrometry in the analysis of small molecules. He has developed or co-developed many FIA-MS and LC-MS methods that have found applications in national newborn screening, second-tier diagnostics and therapeutic drug monitoring. Scientifically, as the leader of the Clinical Mass Spectrometry Group at the Faculty of Medicine of Palacký University Olomouc, Czech Republic, he uses clinical metabolomics and lipidomics to understand the pathobiochemistry of diseases (mainly cardiovascular and neurodegenerative diseases, cancer or hyperuricaemia and gout), or in the development of advanced multicomponent methods that find application in clinical practice.
</blockquote>
<blockquote>
Presenter: Barbora Piskláková, MSc. (PhD candidate, Faculty of Medicine, Palacký University Olomouc, Czech Republic)
Barbora Piskláková is a Ph.D. candidate in Clinical Biochemistry and Medicinal Chemistry at the Faculty of Medicine, Palacký University Olomouc, Czech Republic and a researcher in the Clinical Mass Spectrometry Group. Her main research achievement was the development of a fast and easy-to-use multicomponent LC-MS method for the analysis of organic acids, acylglycines and acylcarnitines in urine as a panel capable of diagnosing more than 80 inherited metabolic disorders. Her work shows how challenging it is to bring metabolomics into clinical practice where the full analytical and clinical validation of this novel method took over 5 years and measurement of 800+ patient samples. Now, this method is considered the method of first choice in our diagnostic lab and has replaced the conventionally used GC-MS approach. Additionally, Barbora is using metabolomics in the study of cytidine metabolism in relation to cytarabine treatment for leukemia. She has also completed a 3-month internship at Oslo University Hospital, Norway at Katja Benedikte Prestø Elgstøen Metabolomics group.
</blockquote>

EMN Metabolomics Society: Translation of clinical metabolomics into routine applications

EMN December Webinar Series: "Translation of clinical metabolomics into routine applications"

Translation of clinical metabolomics into routine applications

From clinical metabolomics to routine applications

Untargeted metabolomics remains the gold standard workflow for discovery research. Despite its popularity, there are many bottlenecks in data analysis that prevent comprehensive metabolite annotation and identification via liquid-chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS). A primary data analysis strategy is to supplement current online libraries, such as the Thermo Scientific™ mzCloud™ mass spectral library with curated in-house libraries built from commercially available compounds of interest, containing retention time, high quality, and accurate m/z and MS/MS fragmentation information.
Join us for a webinar, where our in-house metabolomics experts will demonstrate how to use our intelligently designed mass spectral library curation software, Thermo Scientific™ mzVault™ library and Thermo Scientific™ Mass Frontier™ with curator, highlighting their incorporation into Thermo Scientific™ Compound Discoverer™ 3.3 software to push metabolomics research toward simultaneous targeted quantitation and untargeted discovery.
<blockquote>
Presenter: Bashar Amer (Application Scientist, Thermo Fisher Scientific)
Bashar Amer has a background in microbial and nutritional metabolomics as well as developing MS-based analytical assays for food studies. Bashar currently works as an Application Scientist for Thermo Fisher Scientific focusing on developing metabolomics workflows for the simultaneous quantitation and discovery analysis (SQUAD analysis) which is offering researchers a way to strike the balance between untargeted and targeted approaches in one single experiment.
</blockquote>
<blockquote>
Presenter: Rahul Deshpande (Marketing Manager, Thermo Fisher Scientific)
Rahul Deshpande currently works as a Metabolomics Marketing Manager at Thermo Fisher Scientific developing Metabolomics and Lipidomics workflows. Rahul’s primary focus is on single-cell lipidomics and studying alternate fragmentation strategies for structure determination of biomolecules. Rahul has extensive background in Metabolomics and Fluxomics utilizing mass spectrometers.
</blockquote>

ThermoFisher Scientific: Make Metabolomics library building easier with intelligent data acquisition and curation software

Make Metabolomics library building easier with intelligent data acquisition and curation software

Metabolomics library data acquisition and curation software

Learn incredible tricks and tips for maximizing your experience with <a href="https://gcms.cz/products/305">Clarity Chromatography Software</a>. Dive into advanced functionalities and discover how to elevate your workflows.
We will closely look at Sequences and Calibrations.

Clarity Tips & Tricks Webinar

Learn incredible tricks and tips for maximizing your experience with Clarity Chromatography Software

DataApex Clarity software Tips & Tricks Webinar

How about a 20 minute coffee break along with a bite of Empower? Here you go!
Avoid manual weight transcriptions to your Empower Sample Set
Many roads lead to Rome - In this session we show different options to transfer sample weight to Empower.
Two completely different options will be highlighted: The Sample Weight Importer toolkit app versus a test execution template in Empower LMS.
The sample (and standard) weights play an important role in the quantitative chromatographic analysis. In this session you will get examples of how to eliminate the manual transcription of sample weights by using a direct read from your balance.
Learn more and register!
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Presenter:: Ralf Schröder (Informatics Product Marketing Europe, Waters GmbH)
</blockquote>
<blockquote>
Presenter: Carsten Fischer (Informatics Product Marketing, EMEA, Waters GmbH)
</blockquote>

Waters Corporation: Informatics series #13 Sample Weights in Empower

Informatics series #13 Sample Weights in Empower

In this session we show different options to transfer sample weight to Empower.

Sample Weights in Empower

In this session we demonstrate how to create and use Customer Fields to generate workflows in Empower

Waters Corporation: Waters Empower Custom Fields

Empower Custom Fields