Highlights from the Top Spectroscopy Conferences of 2024

In 2024, Spectroscopy covered several conferences in person and virtually. These conferences took us from everywhere from Tucson, Arizona to Munich, Germany. Below, you’ll find an overview of our major conference coverage for 2024.

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Winter Conference on Plasma Spectrochemistry

The Winter Conference on Plasma Spectrochemistry was our first conference of the year. Taking place in mid-January, the Winter Conference on Plasma Spectrochemistry focused on the latest innovations and developments in inductively coupled plasma–mass spectrometry (ICP-MS), laser ablation (LA), and laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS). The conference featured six Heritage Lecture speakers, including Michael Blades, Robert Jones, John Burgener, Thomas Walczyk, Volker Hoffmann, and Greg Eiden (1).

We conducted three interviews during the duration of the conference with three thought leaders in spectrochemistry: John Burgener, Robert Jones, and Jake Shelley. In our interview with John Burgener, we talked about his career working with mass spectrometers, inductively coupled plasma (ICP), and developing the Burgener nebulizer (2). Our conversation with Jones revolved around his work with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). We focused on how the use of ICP-MS has advanced the work of the CDC, and Jones talked about how using ICP-MS to analyze trace and toxic metals (3).

For our last interview, we spoke to Jacob Shelley, an Alan Paul Schulz Career Development Professor of Chemistry at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in Troy, New York (4). Our conversation in Tucson focused on his group’s most recent work using a new technique that utilizes acoustic waves to move gas-phase ions (4).

Pittcon

This year, Pittcon went west for the first time. This year the conference was held in late February in San Diego, California, at the San Diego Convention Center. The conference opened with the Wallace H. Coulter lecture, which was delivered by Omowunmi Sadik, a professor at NJIT, who discussed sustainable nanomaterials for reaction mechanisms, small-scale synthesis, and biosensing (5).

Several awards were also presented at Pittcon. For example, the Coblentz Society presented their Williams-Wright Award to Jun Zhao, who is a director of engineering at Metrohm Spectro (5,6). Zhao was recognized for his contributions to Raman spectroscopy instrumentation (6). The Pittsburgh Spectroscopy Award was also presented at Pittcon, recognizing Vicki H. Grassian from the University of California San Diego (UCSD) for her research on environmental interfaces, including aerosols and nanomaterials (5–7).

There were also several sessions that focused on the latest advancements in spectroscopy. One session focused on advancements in Raman spectroscopy, where Carol Korzeniewski of Texas Tech University, Miharu Koh of the University of Utah, Hyejin Chang of Kangwan National University, Adam Hopkins of Metrohm USA, David Rist of The Ohio State University, Barbara Palys of the University of Warsaw, and Dmitry Kurouski of Texas A&M University (8).

Analytica

Analytica 2024 took place in Munich, Germany, this year. At the show, more than 1,000 exhibitors came to showcase their new technologies and products to the analytical chemistry community (9).

Several of the oral sessions focused on the latest developments in spectroscopic instrumentation. One session, chaired by Uwe Karst University of Münster, and Carsten Engelhard of Bundesanstalt für Materialforschung und -prüfung (BAM) & Universität Siegen, highlighted four research efforts that showcased using laser ablation–inductively coupled plasma–mass spectrometry (LA-ICP-MS), X-ray fluorescence spectrometry, and mid-infrared (MIR) spectroscopy (10).

Experts also discussed chemometrics at the Analytica conference in Munich, focusing on calibration transfer, modeling techniques, and instrument adaptation. Talks covered spectral database applications (Jean-Michael Roger), infrared spectrometry for electronic cigarettes (Yulia Monakhova), portable NIR devices for drug analysis (Pierre Esseiva), and BASF’s integration of chemometrics in material optimization (Rafael Teixeira Freire) (11). Key challenges addressed included instrument variations, data integrity, and scalability, with innovative approaches like domain adaptation and machine learning enhancing model accuracy and robustness (11).

SMASH NMR

This year, we covered SMASH NMR, which took place in Burlington, Vermont, from September 15–18^th. Established in 1999, the conference promotes scientific innovation, collaboration, and community-building (12).

Throughout the conference, oral sessions were dedicated to showcasing the latest advancements in nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy. Some of the most important oral sessions that we covered virtually occurred on Monday September 16^th. The first session on Monday, “NMR Crystallography and the Solid State,” explored combining solid-state NMR, X-ray diffraction, and computational chemistry for detailed atomic-level insights. Speakers included Leonard Mueller of the University of California, Riverside, Nina Gonnella of Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals Inc., and others, covering applications in biochemistry and materials science (13). The afternoon session on Monday, “Calculation and Data Analysis of Isotropic and Anisotropic NMR Parameters,” focused on computational techniques for analyzing NMR parameters (13). Talks by experts like Stefan Immel of Technical University of Darmstadt and Ben Honore of the University of Bristoldelve into Bayesian inference, structure prediction, and intelligent molecular structure generation, showcasing cutting-edge methodologies in NMR research (13).

SciX Conference

In October, Spectroscopy traveled to Raleigh, North Carolina, to attend the SciX 2024 Conference. Over the course of the conference, we conducted several video interviews with the award winners. Jason Dwyer of the University of Rhode Island, who was awarded the American Electrophoresis Society’s Mid-Career award, spoke to us about his experience working with SERS and his research efforts on nanopore technology (14). Conor Evans of Harvard Medical School talked to us about his research with sparse spectral sampling stimulated Raman scattering (S4RS) (15).

A big emphasis in our conference coverage this year was how Raman spectroscopy is being applied in clinical applications, including oncology. Our three-part interview with Nick Stone of the University of Exter, who received the Charles Mann Award for Applied Raman Spectroscopy, explored this topic, and he spoke to us about how his team investigated how to solve the challenge of transferring the Raman spectra collected from human esophagus tissue at three different centers (16). Ioan Notingher of the University of Nottingham spoke to us about how he and his team applied Raman spectroscopy for intra-operative assessment of sentinel lymph nodes (SLNs) in breast cancer surgery (17).

Our SciX Conference coverage also dedicated part of it to mentorship in the analytical spectroscopy community. Our conversations with Ellen Miseo of Miseo Consulting and Anita Mahadevan-Jansen of Vanderbilt University focused on this topic, with both women discussing how mentorship has impacted their careers and how new scientists can effectively look for mentorship (18,19).

And finally, we recognized our Emerging Leader in Molecular Spectroscopy awardee, Joseph Smith, director at Merck, this year for his work on developing innovative, data-driven tools for small molecules, biologics, and vaccines (20).

Eastern Analytical Symposium

The Eastern Analytical Symposium (EAS) 2024 celebrated exceptional achievements in analytical sciences, spotlighting Igor Lednev, Rachel Martin, and Jeanne Pemberton for their contributions.

Igor Lednev, honored with the EAS Award for Outstanding Achievement in Vibrational Spectroscopy, is known for pioneering Raman spectroscopy applications in forensic science. His innovations include methods for analyzing biological stains, gunshot residue, and trace evidence, alongside patented noninvasive tests for Alzheimer’s and Sjögren’s syndrome (21). Lednev also developed a deep UV Raman technique for mRNA vaccine stability and a novel SERS-based drug discovery method (21).

Rachel Martin received the EAS Award for Outstanding Achievements in Magnetic Resonance for her work on nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) technologies. At UC Irvine, Martin developed probes for studying semisolid biological materials like hydrogels and membranes, contributing to protein crystallization and high-resolution spectra collection (21,22).

Jeanne Pemberton, winner of the EAS Award for Outstanding Achievements in Analytical Chemistry, was recognized for her research in surface and interfacial chemistry. Her work integrated molecular spectroscopic probes to explore complex interfaces, yielding over 250 publications and 10 patents (21). She co-founded GlycoSurf, providing eco-friendly, high-purity molecules for research and industrial applications.

References

1. Wetzel, W. The Winter Conference on Plasma Spectrochemistry: Returning to Arizona. Spectroscopy. Available at: https://www.spectroscopyonline.com/view/the-winter-conference-on-plasma-spectrochemistry-returning-to-arizona (accessed 2024-12-11).
2. Wetzel, W. Advancing ICP and Developing the Burgener Nebulizer: A Winter Conference Interview with John Burgener, Part 1. Spectroscopy. Available at: https://www.spectroscopyonline.com/view/advancing-icp-and-developing-the-burgener-nebulizer-a-winter-conference-interview-with-john-burgener-part-1 (accessed 2024-12-11).
3. Wetzel, W. How ICP-MS Advanced the Mission of the CDC: An Interview with Robert L. Jones. Spectroscopy. Available at: https://www.spectroscopyonline.com/view/how-icp-ms-advanced-the-mission-of-the-cdc-an-interview-with-robert-l-jones (accessed 2024-12-11).
4. Wetzel, W. Inside the Laboratory: The Shelley Group at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. Spectroscopy. Available at: https://www.spectroscopyonline.com/view/inside-the-laboratory-the-shelley-group-at-rensselaer-polytechnic-institute (accessed 2024-12-11).
5. Spectroscopy Staff, Pittcon Preview: What to Expect from the 75th Annual Conference. Spectroscopy 2024, 39 (2), 36. https://www.spectroscopyonline.com/view/pittcon-preview-what-to-expect-from-the-75th-annual-conference
6. Workman, Jr., J. Jun Zhao of Metrohm Spectro Wins Williams-Wright Award. Spectroscopy. Available at: https://www.spectroscopyonline.com/view/jun-zhao-of-metrohm-spectro-wins-williams-wright-award (accessed 2024-12-11).
7. Workman, Jr., J. Vicki H. Grassian Wins Pittsburgh Spectroscopy Award. Spectroscopy. Available at: https://www.spectroscopyonline.com/view/vicki-h-grassian-wins-pittsburgh-spectroscopy-award (accessed 2024-12-11).
8. Chasse, J. Pittcon 2024: Developments in Raman Spectroscopy. Spectroscopy. Available at: https://www.spectroscopyonline.com/view/pittcon-2024-developments-in-raman-spectroscopy (accessed 2024-12-11).
9. Hroncich, C. 16 New Spectroscopy Products Showcased at Analytica 2024. Spectroscopy. Available at: https://www.spectroscopyonline.com/view/new-spectroscopy-products-analytica-2024 (accessed 2024-12-12).
10. Chasse, J. New Instrument Development in Spectroscopy. Spectroscopy. Available at: https://www.spectroscopyonline.com/view/new-instrument-development-in-spectroscopy (accessed 2024-12-12).
11. Hroncich, C. Analytica 2024: The Latest Applications in Chemometrics. Spectroscopy. Available at: https://www.spectroscopyonline.com/view/analytica-2024-the-latest-applications-in-chemometrics (accessed 2024-12-13).
12. Wetzel, W. SMASH 2024: Previewing the Magnetic Resonance in Chemistry Early Career Research Symposium. Spectroscopy. Available at: https://www.spectroscopyonline.com/view/smash-2024-previewing-the-magnetic-resonance-in-chemistry-early-career-research-symposium (accessed 2024-12-13).
13. Wetzel, W. SMASH 2024: Previewing the Monday Sessions. Spectroscopy. Available at: https://www.spectroscopyonline.com/view/smash-2024-previewing-the-monday-sessions (accessed 2024-12-13).
14. Acevedo, A. Evolving Surface-Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy (SERS): A SciX Interview with Jason Dwyer of the University of Rhode Island. Spectroscopy. Available at: https://www.spectroscopyonline.com/view/evolving-surface-enhanced-raman-spectroscopy-sers-a-scix-interview-with-jason-dwyer-of-the-university-of-rhode-island (accessed 2024-12-13).
15. Acevedo, A. Demonstrating Sparse Spectral Sampling Stimulated Raman Scattering: An Interview with Conor Evans of Harvard Medical School. Spectroscopy. Available at: https://www.spectroscopyonline.com/view/demonstrating-sparse-spectral-sampling-stimulated-raman-scattering-an-interview-with-conor-evans-of-harvard-medical-school (accessed 2024-12-13).
16. Wetzel, W. Investigating the Adoption of Raman Spectroscopy in Routine Oncology Workflows: A SciX Interview with Nick Stone, Part 1. Spectroscopy. Available at: https://www.spectroscopyonline.com/view/investigating-the-adoption-of-raman-spectroscopy-in-routine-oncology-workflows-a-scix-interview-with-nick-stone-part-1 (accessed 2024-12-13).
17. Wetzel, W. Applications of Raman Spectroscopy in Breast Cancer Surgery: A SciX Interview with Ioan Notingher, Part 1. Spectroscopy. Available at: https://www.spectroscopyonline.com/view/applications-of-raman-spectroscopy-in-breast-cancer-surgery-a-scix-interview-with-ioan-notingher-part-1 (accessed 2024-12-13).
18. Hroncich, C.; Acevedo, A. SciX 2024: An Interview on Mentorship with Anita Mahadevan-Jansen. Spectroscopy. Available at: https://www.spectroscopyonline.com/view/scix-2024-an-interview-on-mentorship-with-anita-mahadevan-jansen (accessed 2024-12-13).
19. Hroncich, C.; Acevedo, A. SciX 2024: An Interview on Mentorship with Ellen Miseo. Spectroscopy. Available at: https://www.spectroscopyonline.com/view/scix-2024-an-interview-on-mentorship-with-ellen-miseo (accessed 2024-12-13).
20. Hroncich, C. Emerging Leader Highlights Innovations in Machine Learning, Chemometrics at SciX Awards Session. Spectroscopy. Available at: https://www.spectroscopyonline.com/view/emerging-leader-highlights-innovations-in-machine-learning-chemometrics-at-scix-awards-session (accessed 2024-12-13)
21. Hroncich, C. Analytical Chemists Recognized for Excellence in Spectroscopy Research at EAS 2024. Spectroscopy. Available at: https://www.spectroscopyonline.com/view/analytical-chemists-recognized-for-excellence-in-spectroscopy-research-at-eas-2024 (accessed 2024-12-13).
22. Acevedo, A. EAS 2024: Interviewing Rachel Martin, Winner of the EAS Award for Outstanding Achievements in Magnetic Resonance. Spectroscopy. Available at: https://www.spectroscopyonline.com/view/eas-2024-an-interview-with-rachel-martin-winner-of-the-eas-award-for-outstanding-achievements-in-magnetic-resonance (accessed 2024-12-13).