In this episode, podcast co-hosts Dr. Dwight Stoll and Dr. James Grinias talk with Professor Kelly Hines. Dr. Hines is an associate professor in the Department of Chemistry at the University of Georgia in Athens. She received her B.S. degree in Chemistry from the University of Florida, and then completed the Ph.D. in Chemistry at Vanderbilt University. Her doctoral studies focused on monitoring biomolecular signatures of disease via ion mobility and mass spectrometry techniques, and then she moved on to post-doctoral experiences at two different institutions. The first stop was at the metabolomics resource core at the Mayo Clinic, and the second stop was in the Department of Medicinal Chemistry at the University of Washington School of Pharmacy. Kelly has won several awards in the field of chemical analysis, including recognition as a Female Role Model in Analytical Chemistry by Analytical and Bioanalytical Chemistry, as an Emerging Investigator by the Journal of the American Society for Mass Spectrometry, an ASMS Research Award (which is one of the top honors that young investigators in MS can receive), and very recently was named as the Chemist of the Year by the Northeast Georgia Section of the American Chemical Society.

In a wide-ranging conversation, we discuss the early origins of Kelly’s interest in science rooted in her opportunity to explore the plant nursery managed by her father, and then her turn from civil engineering to analytical chemistry inspired by an early undergraduate course “Chemistry for Engineers”. We discuss Hines’ recent and ongoing work involving the use of ion mobility mass spectrometry (IMS-MS), with pre-separation using chromatography when appropriate, for multi-omics studies, aimed at deeper understanding of the biochemistry of organisms at the metabolite level. We also discuss Kelly’s positive experiences developing peer networks through regular attendance at conferences, particularly the American Society for Mass Spectrometry (ASMS) annual meeting, experiences in her second post-doctoral position that inspired her to pursue an academic position, and her approach to mentoring graduate students who show up in her laboratory with diverse backgrounds, interests, and abilities.

Here in Episode #41, podcast host Dr. Jerry Workman speaks with Sunil Mehrotra and Doug Modlin, who are the project leaders of the Albert Michelson Exhibit at the Angels Camp Museum located in Angels Camp, California. They will be discussing the life and times of Albert Michelson and the creation of the Albert Michelson Angels Camp Museum Exhibit. Albert A. Michelson was the first Nobel Laureate in the sciences from the United States and the first physicist to accurately measure the speed of light, the size of stars, and more.

References and Further Information for Albert A. Michelson’s Life and Angels Camp Museum Exhibit

Life and Scientific Contributions

(1) The Albert Michelson website landing page. https://albertmichelson.com/ (accessed 2025-09-30).

(2) Michelson live interview film YouTube link: https://youtu.be/gQoNnu0n2lk (accessed 2025-09-30).

(3) Workman, J., Jr. Albert A. Michelson: A Pioneer of Interferometry and Precision Optical Spectroscopy. Spectroscopy 2025, 40 (6), 22–26. https://doi.org/10.56530/spectroscopy.tz5770i4.

(4) National Academy of Sciences (USA) Biographical Memoir of Albert Abraham Michelson PDF document. Available at: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1jd-yeTdj8y0kQVENLZkCXe8uoF3RX84E/view?usp=sharing (accessed 2025-09-30).

(5) Albert A. Michelson, Recent advances in spectroscopy, Nobel Lecture, December 12, 1907. Available at: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1GeXXxuCoLbWVIfG8wS1XJ-kpY0ajBXEz/view?usp=sharing (accessed 2025-09-30).

(6) Michelson featured in US Navy (USN) history video, YouTube link: https://youtu.be/-CbrVa9SrCI (accessed 2025-09-30).

(7) Edna and Albert Michelson Family History. Available at:

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1Kk_HpxnKjKbtHx9SPozM-jDbVFKc9L-_/edit?usp=sharing&ouid=100533588463446467177&rtpof=true&sd=true (accessed 2025-09-30).

Albert Michelson exhibit at Angels Camp Museum

(8) Albert Michelson exhibit unveiled at Angels Camp Museum article. Available at:

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1VMjhYta7qfJbq95lKW2ftqPglJqCdhDO/view?usp=sharing (accessed 2025-09-30).

(9) Albert Michelson Exhibit Inspires Young Minds at Angels Camp Museum Link: https://new.thepinetree.net/?p=179327 (accessed 2025-09-30).

(10) Mark Twain Elementary Students Tour the Albert Michelson Exhibit YouTube link:

https://youtu.be/hwpe-wkHtOo (accessed 2025-09-30).

(11) A teacher and a student touring Albert Michelson exhibit at the Angels Camp Museum YouTube link: https://youtu.be/vdVJDkretU4 (accessed 2025-09-30).

(12) Albert Michelson Exhibit at the Angels Camp Museum-spectrometer description YouTube link: https://youtu.be/Ed_-JSq_4pg (accessed 2025-09-30).

(13). Virtual tour of the Albert Michelson Exhibit at the Angels Camp Museum link: https://tourmkr.com/F1SYh8VcsS/43684268p&273.03h&90t

(14). The Albert Michelson Education Project supports the Learning Center at the Albert Michelson Exhibit and the Albert Michelson Science Fair Awards. Be sure to indicate that your donation is intended for the Albert Michelson Education Project and use the following link: https://www.m-otm.org/contribute

(15). The Michelson STEAM Scholarship supports local high school students in Calaveras County pursue their education in STEAM related disciplines. Be sure to indicate that your donation is intended for the Michelon STEAM Scholarship and use the following link: https://calaverascommunityfoundation.org/ways-to-give/

In this episode, podcast co-hosts Dr. Dwight Stoll and Dr. James Grinias talk with Professor Luis Colon. Dr. Colon is is the SUNY Distinguished Professor, A. Conger Goodyear Professor, and Associate Dean for Inclusive Excellence in the College of Arts and Sciences at the University at Buffalo. He received his bachelors degree from University of Puerto Rico at Cayey, and then received the Ph.D. from UMass Lowell. He also was a postdoctoral fellow in the Zare Group at Stanford where did groundbreaking work in detection for capillary electrophoresis. Colon has won numerous awards, including most recently the Kirkland Award in Chromatography (formerly known as the ACS Award in Chromatography), which we celebrated at the ACS Fall 2025 National Meeting.

In a fascinating conversation, we discuss the influence of Luis’ father on his scientific career, by demonstrating to Luis (whether he realized it at the time or not) a physical separation of coffee shells and beans in the wind. Dr. Colon explains the origins of his interest in materials development for chromatography, which included observations he made on the relatively short lifetimes and fragility of silica-based materials while working in industry early in his career. We also spend a good bit of time discussing Prof. Colon’s motivations for an approach to mentoring younger scientists, as well as some of his thoughts about the future of the separation science field. Finally, Luis shares some of his wisdom gained over several decades as a successful and well recognized analytical scientist, emphasizing the importance of curiosity, collaboration, and open-mindedness.

Dr. Wilson is a research chemist and coordinator of the Cannabis Research Program in the Chemical Sciences Division at the National Institute of Standards & Technology (NIST) in Gaithersburg, Maryland. He received his B.S. degree in Chemistry from Greensboro College followed by a M.S. degree in Chemistry from the same institution. He then moved south to pursue a Ph.D. in Chemistry at the University of Central Florida, training in the lab of Prof. Andres D. Campiglia.

In a wide-ranging conversation, we discuss the influence of 2000’s television shows such as CSI on Brent’s interest in forensic science and analytical chemistry, and how an informal interview at a poster session ultimately led to the position he now holds at NIST. Dr. Wilson shares how he navigated the educational landscapes in forensic science and chemistry, both at the undergraduate and graduate levels. We discuss the evolution of cannabis standards and analytical characterization in recent years, and Brent shares his perspective on the importance of standards in general, the birth of a reference material, and the significant effort it takes to bring these materials to the point where analytical scientists like us can purchase them. Dr. Wilson also describes some of his work on low-temperature emission spectroscopy techniques, where molecule exhibit much narrower and specific emission bands compared to room temperature detection. Brent also shares more about the life of a scientist within NIST, from day-to-day activities, competing for federal funding, and more. Finally, Dr. Wilson shares some professional advice, including the importance of being prepared and adaptable, the value of talking with people at conferences, and the importance of establishing and maintaining relationships over the course of one's career.

Here in Episode #39, podcast host Dr. Jerry Workman speaks with Dr. Macarena Garcia Marin, who is an astrophysicist and instrument scientist for the European Space Agency based at the Space Telescope and Science Institute in Baltimore, MD USA. She will be discussing the highlights of the role of the James Webb Space Telescope, also known as JWST, and its abilities and discoveries using the science of spectroscopy in space, since performing spectroscopic research since its launch in 2021.

We have invited Macarena to our Analytically Speaking podcast to discuss the current discoveries using JWST and what the future hopes are for a deeper understanding of the amazing universe that surrounds our home, planet Earth.

Here in Episode #37, podcast host Dr. Jerry Workman speaks with Dr. Austin Daniels, application scientist for Yokogawa Fluid Imaging Technologies. This Episode will focus on flow imaging microscopy (FIM), a new technology for subvisible particle characterization in biologics.

We have invited Austin to our Analytically Speaking podcast to discuss the current trends and state of using FIM to ensure the quality and safety of biologics. This requires precise monitoring of subvisible particles, which can impact drug efficacy and patient health. Traditional analysis methods, such as light obscuration (LO) and membrane microscopy (MM), provide limited data on particle types and morphology, making it difficult to pinpoint contamination sources.

In this episode, podcast co-hosts Dr. Dwight Stoll and Dr. James Grinias talk with Dr. Alix Rodowa, Research Chemist within the Organic Chemical Metrology Group at the National Institute of Standards & Technology (NIST) in Gaithersburg, Maryland. At NIST, she is the Environmental Sector Task Lead for the Organic Analysis Working Group for the Consultative Committee for Amount of Substance: Metrology in Chemistry and Biology (or CCQM).

After discussing some of the events that sparked Dr. Rodowa’s interest in science, and analytical chemistry in particular, we discuss her path to a career as a NIST scientist, including cold-emailing potential research advisors, and an experience as a National Research Council (NRC) postdoctoral fellow. We then discuss her work on polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), including the development of the PFAS Interference List - affectionately known as the “PIL” - and the development of a Standard Reference Material (SRM) for that research area. We also touch on emerging uses of machine learning in workflows for analytical target and suspect screening. Finally, Alix provides some insight into a day in the life of a NIST scientist, why she enjoys working in a government laboratory, and how aspiring scientists can explore this environment as a potential career option.

Here in Episode #35, podcast host Dr. Jerry Workman speaks with Dr. Ellen V. Miseo, who has been active in vibrational spectroscopy and instrument development her entire career and is formally trained as a physical chemist. She has worked for instrument companies as well as run laboratory operations. She is past president of both the Coblentz Society and Society for Applied Spectroscopy and currently heads Miseo Consulting.

We have invited Ellen to our Analytically Speaking podcast to discuss the current activities of SAS and Coblentz to foster further education in the essential aspects of spectroscopy for current and future practitioners.

Perrault Uptmor of William & Mary, and Dr. Emanuela Gionfriddo of SUNY at Buffalo. Kate and Emanuela are both returning guests of the pod (see episodes 2 and 14), and joined us on-site at the Boston Convention Center to reflect on what we saw and heard at Pittcon 2025.

In a wide-ranging conversation, we touch on a variety of aspects of the Pittcon experience, including networking opportunities, award sessions recognizing both early-career scientists and achievements over lifetimes, and of course trends in various areas as observed from the numerous technical sessions and talks.

Several notable award sessions honoring great work in separation science included:

● ACS Division of Analytical Chemistry Young Investigator in Separation Science - awarded to Prof. Xiao Su of the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

● Pittcon Analytical Chemistry Award - awarded to Prof. Dan Armstrong of the University of Texas at Arlington

● LCGC Emerging Leader Award - awarded to Prof. Katelynn Perrault Uptmor of William & Mary

● LCGC Lifetime Achievement Award - awarded to Christopher Pohl of CAP Chromatography and Consulting

● Chromatography Forum of the Delaware Valley Dal Nogare Award - awarded to Terry Berger

Some of the trends discussed during the episode include developments in the use of machine learning and artificial intelligence tools in our field, multi-dimensional separations, green chemistry, and more!

In this episode, podcast co-hosts Dr. Dwight Stoll and Dr. James Grinias talk with Dr. Benjamin Garcia. Dr. Garcia is the Raymond H. Wittcoff Distinguished Professor and Head of the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biophysics in the School of Medicine at Washington University in St. Louis. His research interests primarily focus on the development of mass spectrometry-based proteomic approaches for the analysis of post-translational modifications of proteins (PTMs) and modified proteomes. His group specializes in high-throughput and quantitative analysis of many classes of modified proteins, especially epigenetic histone PTMs. He is a prolific author and scientific leader, with an h-index approaching 120. He has received a LOT of awards to date, but we sat down with him at the Eastern Analytical Symposium where he was recognized for his recent EAS Award for Outstanding Achievement in Mass Spectrometry.

In the conversation we talk about the origins of Dr. Garcia’s interests in analytical science, mass spectrometry, and biomedical research, and he shares his thoughts about the current state and near future for technologies used for biomolecule separations including peptides, proteins, and oligonucleotides. We also discuss Dr. Garcia’s highly impactful efforts to promote participation in the analytical sciences by people from all backgrounds, and he shares some thoughts about the “to-do list” for his upcoming term as chair of the ACS Division of Analytical Chemistry.