Separation Science Worldwide: A Year of Conferences with LCGC

Throughout 2024, the editors of LCGC International attended chromatography conferences across the globe. From Munich, Germany, to San Diego, California, they were on-site at some of the world’s largest analytical science events, covering the industry’s most critical topics and trends.

Below, you’ll find a sampling and overview of our conference coverage from the year. You can find all our conference coverage here. If you have a conference or event you’d like us to cover, contact Caroline Hroncich, Associate Editorial Director, at chroncich@mjhlifesciences.com.

People talking during conference break | Image Credit: © KOTO - stock.adobe.com

Pittcon 2024

2024 was a special year for Pittcon. The conference, which was celebrating its 75th anniversary, was held for the first time on the West Coast, specifically from February 24–28, in San Diego, CA. Pittcon has promised attendees a dynamic, transnational conference and exposition on laboratory science, a venue for presenting the latest advances in analytical research and scientific instrumentation, and a platform for continuing education and science-enhancing opportunity. This year, we took the time to speak with key opinion leaders on the cutting edge of analytical science (both from academia and the private sector) to gauge the evolution of a variety of techniques and the opportunities this evolution will present.

Emanuela Gionfriddo of the University of Toledo highlighted how the conference celebrated women in separation chemistry. Both Susan Olesik of The Ohio State University and Susan Lunte of the University of Kansas were honored for their contributions to separation science. In her June 2024 edition of The LCGC Blog, Gionfriddo discussed the careers of her female colleagues and how they have furthered the fields of analytical chemistry.

Analytica 2024

Analytica 2024, the world’s largest trade fair, returned to Munich, Germany this year with a distinct focus on sustainability—a very hot topic in analytical chemistry. Branding itself the “meeting placing for the Green Lab,” Analytica brought together more than 1,000 exhibitors from around the world, many of whom presented new products and services that boasted greener solutions for customers.

Ahead of the event, our editors organized the Analytica Companion 2024 supplement, which highlighted interesting sessions and work being showcased at the event.

At the conference, our team interviewed Anne Bendt, the Deputy Director and Principal Investigator of the Singapore Lipidomics Incubator (SLING), Life Sciences Institute. Her expertise in lipidomics extends to researching and developing biomarkers and diagnostics, translation and commercialization, and how this course of study relates to infectious diseases.

AOAC International 2024

At the AOAC International 2024 Annual Meeting & Exposition in Baltimore, Maryland, which was held from August 23–28, analytical several scientists were recognized for excellence across multiple disciplines, including method development, expert review panels, editorial contributions, and technical service. Founded in 1884, AOAC International is an independent, non-profit member association of analytical science professionals in government, industry, and academia. Its mission is to advance food safety and product integrity through standards, validated test methods, and laboratory quality programs. This Annual Meeting marks the 138th iteration of the conference.

ISC 2024

The 34th International Symposium on Chromatography (ISC), which ran from October 6–11, 2024, in Liverpool, U.K., brought together leading scientists and professionals to explore the latest advancements and foundational principles in chromatography. This year, the symposium featured an array of poster and plenary sessions, hands-on short courses, exhibitor booths, and numerous networking opportunities for attendees to engage and learn. From applications in environmental and food analysis, to pharmaceuticals and forensics, the conference highlighted world is already filled with chromatography. A particular highlight of the event was the Rising Stars in Separation Science Awards, presented by LCGC International, which celebrated the achievements of early-career researchers in pharmaceutical and biopharmaceutical fields, as well as in liquid (LC) and gas (GC) chromatography analysis.

EAS 2024

The 2024 Eastern Analytical Symposium (EAS), which was held from November 18–20, 2024 in Plainsboro, NJ, allowed new and veteran scientists to gather and share their work alongside the latest advancements in analytical chemistry. The conference was headlined by Ronald Piervincenzi, CEO of the United States Pharmacoepia (USP), who held a keynote lecture on the importance of collaboration and component quality in pharmaceutical development. Highlighting the development and goals of the USP, Piervincenzi highlighted how improving material quality and establishing worldwide standard progression can further the field. The other notable event of the conference was the awards ceremony, which honored six leading scientists and gave them a platform to share their work. Three scientists showcased advancements in separation science techniques: Ariel Furst, recipient of the 2024 EAS Young Investigator Award, Nelu Grinberg, the winner of the 2024 EAS Award for Outstanding Achievements in Separation Science, and Benjamin Garcia, the winner of the 2024 EAS Award for Outstanding Achievements in MS.

HTC-18

The International Symposium on Hyphenated Techniques in Chromatography and Separation Technology (HTC-18) was held from May 28–31, 2024, in Leuven, Belgium. Starting in 1990, the HTC symposium series has been firmly established as a unique meeting place for scientists and practitioners from academia and industry to exchange state-of-the-art knowledge and gather new insights and ideas covering all aspects of chromatography and separation techniques, sample preparation, detection and data handling. As part of our conference coverage, we interviewed various scientists about their latest works, including Brett Paull of the University of Tasmania, Claudio Brunelli of Novartis R&D, and Bob Pirok of the University of Amsterdam.

RAFA 2024

The 11th International Symposium on Recent Advances in Food Analysis, which was held from November 5–8, 2024 in Prague, Czech Republic, allowed scientists to confer over the latest advancements in food analysis. In collaboration with the organizers of the Recent Advances in Food Analysis 2024 conference in Prague, Czech Republic, we created a comprehensive e-book companion piece featuring cutting-edge topics in food analysis. This collection includes articles on the latest analytical and bioanalytical methods for ensuring food quality and safety, along with interviews with this year’s presenters.

A November 6 session focused on progress in analytical techniques used during food analysis, with topics such as the analysis of 1000 toxins in 10 minutes being discussed. For our part, LCGC International interviewed professionals like Rudolf Krska and Giorgia Purcaro about their latest research into food science and technology.