Vrije Universiteit Brussel Scientist Wins LCGC Award for Outstanding Achievement in Liquid Chromatography

Bram Huygens’ research focuses on developing a deeper understanding of the factors influencing separation efficiency by using advanced mathematical techniques to analyze mass transfer phenomena.

Bram Huygens is the 2024 Award winner of LCGC International’s Rising Stars of Separation Science Award for Outstanding Achievement in Liquid Chromatography, sponsored by Advanced Materials Technology. The award was presented on October 7, 2024, at the 34th International Symposium on Chromatography in Liverpool, United Kingdom.

The inaugural Rising Stars of Separation Science Awards celebrate exceptional achievements in separation science by early career researchers, fostering the next generation of innovators in the field. The awards are divided into four categories: Gas Chromatography (GC), Liquid Chromatography (LC), Biopharmaceutical Analysis, and Pharmaceutical Analysis. Huygens was chosen by an independent panel of experts in liquid chromatography, chaired by Caroline West from the University of Orleans.

Huygens is a postdoctoral researcher at the Vrije Universiteit Brussel in Belgium, where he specializes in modeling band broadening in chromatographic separations. His research focuses on developing a deeper understanding of the factors influencing separation efficiency by using advanced mathematical techniques to analyze mass transfer phenomena.

His work spans a diverse range of chromatographic technologies, from traditional packed bed columns to emerging multicapillary columns, illustrating the broad applicability of his research. Huygens’ insights are valuable not only for improving existing technologies but also for guiding the development of new and innovative separation methods.

Huygens’ work also highlights the power of applied mathematics in addressing complex problems within the field of separation science. By breaking down intricate mass transfer processes into solvable mathematical models, he is advancing the theoretical framework that underpins the discipline, equation by equation. His contributions not only expand the fundamental understanding of chromatographic separations but also demonstrate the critical role of mathematical modelling in driving scientific innovation.

Supporting the development of young scientists is vital for building a robust scientific community and nurturing a culture of collaboration, diversity, and innovation. LCGC International and Advanced Materials Technology are proud dedicated to celebrate the next generation of researchers as they pave the way for groundbreaking discoveries, advancing both foundational and applied research.