The Pittsburgh Analytical Chemistry Award

J. Michael Ramsey received the prestigious Pittsburgh Analytical Chemistry Award from the Society for Analytical Chemists of Pittsburgh (SACP) on Tuesday morning for his various contributions to the analytical chemistry culture.

J. Michael Ramsey

Ramsey, the N. Goldby Distinguished Professor of Chemistry at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, was presented with a plaque and monetary award by William Sharpe of Clarion State University.

The Pittsburgh Analytical Chemistry Award is presented each year by SACP and recipients are determined by their contributions to analytical chemistry, by introduction of a significant technique, theory or instrument, or providing exceptional training or a fertile environment for analytical chemists.According to the SACP, Ramsey's lengthy list of accomplishments fit the bill.

"Professor Ramsey is being recognized for the number and depth of his pioneering contributions in the areas of microfabricated chemical instrumentation, single-particle mass spectrometry, and single molecule detection. His current research interests include microfabricated chemical instrumentation, micro- and nanofluidics, single molecule DNA sequencing, and single cell assays."

Before a packed room of colleagues, friends, and family, Ramsey expressed his gratitude for receiving the award.

"It's a real thrill to be here to receive this award," Ramsey said.

He went on to thank his wife and several assistants and co-workers, without whose help, Ramsey said none of his accomplishments would have been possible.

"No one gets here single-handedly," Ramsey said.

Ramsey received the B.S. degree in chemistry from Bowling Green State University, Bowling Green, Ohio, in 1974 and the Ph.D. degree in chemistry from Indiana University, Bloomington, in 1979 under the guidance of Professor Gary M. Hieftje (who was in attendance and later gave a presentation during the session). Ramsey joined the Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL), Oak Ridge, Tennessee, as a Eugene P. Wigner Distinguished Postdoctoral Fellow in 1979. He became a permanent staff member at ORNL in 1981 and was awarded the highest scientific position of Corporate Research Fellow in 1997. He went to the University of North Carolina in 2004.

After receiving the award, Ramsey went right back to work as he gave a presentation entitled "Fabricated Nanoscale Fluidics."