EAS 2012—Energizing Analytical Solutions

Since its beginnings over half a century ago, the Eastern Analytical Symposium has been “the” place to become energized about the latest developments in analytical technology and methodology. In November, EAS 2012 will present a program in which world experts discuss solutions to analytical questions in a host of diverse fields. Whether your interest is spectroscopy, chromatographypharmaceutical or consumer-product analysis, environmental chemistry, forensics, cultural heritage, microscopy, laboratory management, or any of several other subspecialties, you are sure to find information on solutions to analytical problems. The breadth of the program of EAS 2012 can be seen at our Web site, www.eas.org.

EAS means education in the broadest sense. Obviously, through invited and contributed sessions, attendees learn from the experts around them about the complex issues dealt with in laboratories across the world. Our long history of providing state-of-the-art short courses continues this year, with 43 introductory and advanced courses on topics as diverse as chemometrics, polymer characterization, IR, various forms of chromatography, pharmaceutical testing, and many, many more—taught by instructors with a breadth of knowledge who share their real-world applications and experiences. The complete set of courses is available on our Web site.

EAS also has a long-standing commitment to the development of the next generation of analytical chemists by providing seminars specially designed for students and high school teachers. As in years past, this promises to be a venue for spirited discussion, as aspiring scientists learn from distinguished practitioners about topics they have heard about fleetingly on the Internet, in newspapers, on radio or television, or from some other source.

We also recognize excellence by college students through the EAS Student Awards program. This year, six excellent younger scientists will be recognized for their dedication and work from colleges and universities across the eastern United States.

In 2012, the Eastern Analytical Symposium is excited to present our newest educational program—workshops for attendees to aid in developing professional skills such as résumé writing and interview techniques. For many years, we have provided the Employment Bureau to connect prospective employers with prospective employees, which continues to benefit both. The workshops will complement this activity by providing tools for professional development so necessary to a successful career.

EAS 2012 Awards Program

One mission of the Eastern Analytical Symposium is recognizing excellence in the fields of analysis. EAS awards in chemometrics, mass spectrometry, magnetic resonance, separation science, and near infrared spectroscopy bring the stars and future stars of these fields together in one place for in-depth explorations of fundamental techniques and applications of these analytical methods to solve some of the pressing problems of science. We are pleased this year to recognize the contributions of Prof. Lutgarde Buydens of Radboud University (Nijmegen, The Netherlands), Prof. Fred McLafferty of Cornell University (Ithaca, NY), Prof. Jeffrey Reimer of the University of California at Berkeley, Prof. Robert Kennedy of the University of Michigan (Ann Arbor), and Dr. Joseph T. Hodges of the NIST (Gaithersburg, MD) for their unique contributions to the development of analysis.

The 2012 EAS Award in the Fields of Analytical Chemistry, which recognizes the achievements of an individual in solving a broad range of problems, honors the many contributions of Prof. Mary Wirth of Purdue University (West Lafayette, IN). In addition, this year the Eastern Analytical Symposium presents its first EAS New Faculty Award in NMR Spectroscopy, which will be announced at the meeting in November. The award is aimed at recognizing significant contributions to NMR spectroscopy by persons early in their careers.

Several sponsoring organizations present major awards at the Eastern Analytical Symposium. For 2012, Prof. Luis A. Colón of the State University of New York (Buffalo) will receive the Benedetti-Pichler Award of the American Microchemical Society, Mr. Skip Palenik of Microtrace LLC (Elgin, IL) will receive the Ernst Abbe Award of the New York Microscopical Society, and Prof. Richard Mendelsohn of Rutgers University (Newark, NJ) will receive the Gold Medal Award of the New York Section of the Society for Applied Spectroscopy.

Exposition of Scientific Instrumentation and Services

Completing the EAS is the Exposition of Scientific Instrumentation and Services, which gives attendees the opportunity to interact directly with major suppliers. This year, 200 or so companies and institutions will show their hardware, software, and services to the analytical community at EAS, making it the place to connect for all those needs in the laboratory. Whether your interests are shorter- or longer-term, the exhibits at EAS offer a chance to learn about all the novel developments in analytical technology and services these companies have to offer. You can look up specs and descriptions on-line, but at EAS you can talk to representatives directly to find out how you can benefit from their goods and services. And it’s all in one place.

The Eastern Analytical Symposium and Exposition is the place to meet others interested in the general area of analytical methodology and analyses. We’re all familiar with networking—EAS 2012 is the place to get together, to learn, to teach others about what you have experienced, and to develop the connections that help you flourish. As one colleague said, “It’s all about you!” And it’s fun—there is always something going on, like the Technology Tour, where you can meet with many different exhibitors and learn about the newest developments. You may meet someone at the Monday mixer or at lunch who has just the solution to a problem you’re working on.

We invite you to join us at the Garden State Exhibit Center in Somerset, New Jersey, November 12–15, to see for yourself. If you have been to EAS before, you’ll find new things; if it is your first visit, you will experience firsthand the knowledge, the friendship, and the hospitality. You will leave feeling energized. That’s what EAS is all about! That is why I have been coming to EAS for 35 years and why I plan to come back for many more.

Sincerely,


Cecil Dybowski
President, EAS 2012