Concentrating on Chromatography

David Oliva
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Dive into the frontiers of chromatography, mass spectrometry, and sample preparation with host David Oliva. Each episode features candid conversations with leading researchers, industry innovators, and passionate scientists who are shaping the future of analytical chemistry. From decoding PFAS detection challenges to exploring the latest in AI-assisted liquid chromatography, this show uncovers practical workflows, sustainability breakthroughs, and the real-world impact of separation science. Whether you’re a chromatographer, lab professional, or researcher you'll discover inspiring content!

  1. HACE 1 DÍA

    Episode 47: Tracking Toxic PCBs in River Water using Gas Chromatography–Electron Capture Detection

    In this episode of Concentrating on Chromatography, David speaks with Francis Femi Oloy about using chromatography to uncover hidden pollutants in real-world water systems.Femi’s team analyzed polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) in six major rivers in southwestern Nigeria — compounds that were banned decades ago but still persist in the environment. Using a workflow that many analytical labs will recognize — liquid–liquid extraction, cleanup, rotary evaporation, nitrogen blowdown, and GC-ECD detection — they quantified 25 PCB congeners at trace levels and linked the results to ecological and human health risk.📌 In this conversation, we cover:• Why legacy pollutants like PCBs still show up today• Choosing GC-ECD vs LC-MS for halogenated compounds• Liquid–liquid extraction and matrix cleanup strategies• Why sample concentration is critical for dilute environmental samples• How rotovap + nitrogen blowdown work together without losing volatile analytes• Seasonal trends (why wet season levels were higher)• Translating concentration data into meaningful risk assessmentsThis episode is perfect for anyone working in:Chromatography • Environmental analysis • Sample prep • Trace analysis • GC methods • Analytical chemistryIf you enjoy practical discussions about real laboratory workflows and how chromatography solves real problems, subscribe to Concentrating on Chromatography. 🔬 Paper discussed: Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) in rivers of Southwestern Nigeria: sources, seasonal distribution, and assessment of human health risks# 🔔 More episodesSubscribe for more interviews with scientists using chromatography and mass spectrometry to solve real-world challenges.

    18 min

  2. HACE 4 DÍAS

    Episode 46: How LA-ICP-MS Imaging Reveals Disease in Tissue | Metrology, Multiplexing & Analytical Chemistry

    How do you see proteins, metals, and disease processes inside real tissue — and still trust the numbers?In this episode of Concentrating on Chromatography, David sits down with Monique Mello, analytical chemist, educator, and LA-ICP-MS imaging specialist, to explore how laser ablation ICP-MS (LA-ICP-MS) and immuno-mass spectrometry imaging (iMSI) are transforming pathology, environmental science, and translational research.Monique shares her journey from public-health and pathology labs in Brazil to environmental and biomedical research in Australia — and explains why metrology, traceability, and defensible measurements are the foundation of meaningful science.We dive into her work developing multiplexed elemental imaging methods that allow researchers to quantify multiple proteins at once in tissue — revealing interactions that traditional single-marker methods miss. Her studies show how LA-ICP-MS can map dystrophin-glycoprotein complex proteins in muscular dystrophy and track elemental distributions like zinc in Alzheimer’s disease tissue.We also discuss something many labs overlook: sample preparation and immunolabelling can change the chemistry you’re trying to measure. Monique’s research demonstrates how staining steps can redistribute endogenous metals and why rigorous validation is critical for trustworthy data.If you care about chromatography, mass spectrometry, or analytical chemistry that genuinely impacts patients and communities, this episode is for you.In this conversation, we cover:• What LA-ICP-MS imaging is and how it works• Multiplexed antibody tagging with lanthanides for quantitative tissue imaging• Why metrology and uncertainty matter more than “pretty data”• Common analytical failures (and why sample prep causes most of them)• Elemental mapping in muscular dystrophy and Alzheimer’s research• How immunolabelling and coverslipping can perturb endogenous metals• Teaching analytical chemistry for real-world problem solvingWho this is for: Analytical chemists • Mass spectrometrists • Chromatographers • Pathology researchers • Environmental scientists • Students entering the field

    36 min

  3. 5 FEB

    Episode 45: How Chemists Design Cancer-Targeting Radiopharmaceuticals | Chelators Explained

    How do chemists design molecules that safely carry radioactive metals through the body to target cancer cells? In this episode of Concentrating on Chromatography, David sits down with Simona Mastroianni and Marianna Tosato to explore the chemistry behind radiopharmaceuticals — drugs that combine radioactive isotopes with specially designed chelators to diagnose and treat cancer. Their latest research focuses on the theranostic pair lead-203 and lead-212, a powerful combination that enables both imaging and targeted alpha therapy using the same chemical platform. To make this possible, they developed new “molecular cages” that tightly bind lead ions, improving stability, safety, and effectiveness in the body. Along the way, we break down: • What radiopharmaceuticals and theranostics actually mean • Why chelators act like cages for radioactive metals • How chromatography (HPLC/TLC) verifies radiolabeling and purity • How NMR shows metals are truly bound • The path from synthetic chemistry → animal studies → hospitals • Career advice for undergraduate chemists interested in medical and radiochemistry If you’ve ever wondered how analytical chemistry, inorganic chemistry, and separation science translate into real cancer treatments, this episode connects the dots.Based on their recent publication demonstrating highly stable, efficiently labeled cyclen-based chelators for 203/212Pb radiopharmaceuticals and the full interview discussion .🎧 Perfect for students in:Analytical chemistry • Chromatography • Inorganic chemistry • Radiochemistry • Pharmaceutical sciences radiopharmaceuticals, lead-212 therapy, theranostics, chelators, chromatography, HPLC, NMR, radiochemistry, cancer drug development, analytical chemistry careers

    25 min

  4. 2 FEB

    Episode 44: Drug Discovery Where the Market Doesn’t Go: Targeting Neglected & Opportunistic Pathogens

    Neglected and opportunistic infectious diseases affect some of the world’s most vulnerable populations—but often receive the least attention from traditional drug discovery pipelines.In this episode of Concentrating on Chromatography, host David Oliva sits down with Brad Haubrich to explore how early-stage drug discovery is being applied to fungal and parasitic pathogens, including those responsible for neglected tropical diseases and infections that disproportionately affect immunocompromised patients.Brad shares how his lab approaches drug discovery when the pathogen is eukaryotic—and therefore biologically similar to humans—making selectivity one of the biggest challenges. The conversation covers:* What defines neglected and opportunistic diseases—and why commercial incentives often fall short* Target-based vs. phenotypic drug discovery and when each approach makes sense* Using binding kinetics and residence time to improve selectivity and reduce off-target effects* Where chromatography, metabolomics, and mass spectrometry still play a critical role—even when not front-and-center* The growing (and realistic) role of AI in drug discovery, especially for underfunded disease areas* Why World Neglected Tropical Diseases Day (January 30) matters for raising awareness and accelerating progressThis episode highlights how analytical chemistry, separation science, and biological insight intersect in the earliest stages of drug discovery—and why progress in this space depends as much on collaboration and curiosity as it does on technology.🎙️ **Recorded in recognition of World Neglected Tropical Diseases Day**

    19 min

  5. 29 ENE

    Episode 43: Detecting Haloacetic Acids in Water with GC-MS | Method Development, Pools, & Real-World Challenges

    Haloacetic acids (HAAs) are disinfection byproducts formed when chlorine or bromine reacts with organic matter in water—and some are linked to serious health concerns. In this episode of Concentrating on Chromatography, we sit down with Jessica Whitehouse, MSc student at the University of Calgary, to discuss how she developed a GC-MS method to detect and quantify HAAs in real-world water samples.During her undergraduate research at Thompson Rivers University, Jessica tackled a major challenge faced by many academic labs: how to analyze regulated environmental contaminants without access to GC-ECD instrumentation. Using dispersive liquid–liquid microextraction, derivatization, and GC-MS, she built a faster, more accessible workflow—and applied it to tap water, swimming pools, and hot tubs.In this conversation, we cover:* What haloacetic acids are and why they matter* Why standard EPA methods can be difficult for smaller or teaching-focused labs* How GC-MS can be adapted for HAA analysis* The challenges of derivatization and temperature program optimization* Unexpected findings in brominated vs. chlorinated HAAs* Why pool and hot tub water can show surprisingly high HAA levels* The excitement (and frustration) of first-time method development* Advice for undergraduate and early-career analytical chemistsJessica also shares how this project led directly to her current MSc research on ozone and nanobubble water disinfection, where she’s now expanding into ion chromatography.Whether you work in **environmental analysis, chromatography, GC-MS, or are just starting your journey in analytical chemistry**, this episode offers practical insight into real lab constraints, method development, and the joy of finding your first analyte peak.🔬 Topics: GC-MS, haloacetic acids, water analysis, method development, derivatization, environmental chemistry🎓 Audience: Academic researchers, students, environmental labs, analytical chemists

    17 min

  6. 26 ENE

    Episode 42: Selective Separations: What Membrane Science Can Teach Chromatographers

    In this episode of Concentrating on Chromatography, host David Oliva sits down with Dr. Steven Weinman, Associate Professor of Chemical and Biological Engineering at the University of Alabama, to explore how membrane science and chromatography intersect in modern separation challenges.Steven shares his journey from chemical engineering student to membrane researcher, and explains how membranes are used not only for water purification, but also for sample preparation, pre-treatment, and concentration in analytical workflows. The conversation dives deep into PFAS removal, nanofiltration vs. reverse osmosis, and how chromatography and mass spectrometry are essential for validating membrane performance.Key topics discussed include:* How membranes function as separation and concentration tools* Nanofiltration vs. reverse osmosis for salts and PFAS* The role of chromatography (LC-MS, GC-MS, ion chromatography) in verifying contaminant removal* Challenges in scaling academic separation technologies to industry* Sustainability in membrane manufacturing and PFAS-related regulations* Training students to balance fundamental science with real-world applicationsWhether you work in environmental analysis, chromatography, mass spectrometry, water quality, or separation science, this episode provides valuable insight into how different separation technologies complement each other—and where the field is heading next.🎧 Subscribe for more conversations on chromatography, sample preparation, and analytical science.

    35 min

  7. 7 ENE

    Episode 41: N‑Glycans, Whey Protein, and the Gut Microbiome: Mass Spec Insights with Matthew Bolino

    How do the hidden carbohydrate structures on your favorite protein powders shape the gut microbiome? In this episode of Concentrating on Chromatography, Matthew Bolino, M.S., from the University of Nevada, Reno, breaks down his latest research on N‑glycans from common dietary proteins (whey, egg white, soy, and pea) and how their structural diversity influences microbial fermentation and short‑chain fatty acid production.Bolino explains what N‑glycans are, why they behave like fiber in the gut, and how his team isolates and characterizes them using ethanol washes, enzymatic release (PNGase F and gut‑derived endoglycosidases), and advanced MALDI‑TOF and HILIC‑QTOF workflows. He also discusses his 2025 work comparing synthetic versus bovine whey N‑glycomes and mapping N‑glycan profiles across dietary protein sources, revealing how glycan architecture can reshape community diversity in in vitro fecal fermentations.Geared toward undergraduate and early‑career analytical chemists, this conversation dives into practical mass spec trade‑offs (MALDI vs QTOF vs LC/GC), real‑world troubleshooting in glycomics labs, and how microbiome‑targeted therapeutics and “symbiotic” designs may emerge from pairing specific microbes with preferred glycan structures. Bolino closes with career advice on building biomolecular analysis skills, understanding instrumentation fundamentals, and entering the rapidly growing field of glycomics and microbiome research.

    20 min

  8. 31/12/2025

    Episode 40: Mass Spectrometry, Surface Sampling and Dried Matrix Spots - Greener Chemistry and 3D Printing

    In this episode, we interview Daniel Reddy, 2025 CAS Future Leader and PhD candidate at Queen's University, about his groundbreaking research on automated mass spectrometry and dried matrix spots (DMS).Dan's work combines computer vision, 3D printer automation, and laser micromachining to revolutionize sample preparation—reducing CO₂ emissions by 28-fold and organic solvent use by 21-fold compared to traditional methods.What You'll Learn:How to give a mass spectrometer "sight" and "taste" using computer vision and the LMJ-SSP (Liquid Microjunction Surface Sampling Probe)The breakthrough technology behind Surface Energy Traps (SETs) for confining liquid droplets on paper substratesWhy dried matrix spots eliminate the need for cold-chain shipping and enable analysis of blood, urine, and saliva samples via standard mailHow DIY chemists are hacking 3D printers to build cost-effective autosamplers (replacing $10K+ systems)The role of green chemistry and systems thinking in modernizing analytical methodsWhy interdisciplinary collaboration (chemistry + computer science) is critical to innovationKey Topics:Dried Matrix Spots (DMS) for automated sample prepLaser-micromachined Surface Energy TrapsDirect surface sampling mass spectrometrySustainability in analytical chemistry3D printer customization for laboratory automationThe importance of science communication and community outreachGuest Background:Dan Reddy is a PhD candidate in the Department of Chemistry at Queen's University and a recipient of the NSERC Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarship. He was recently named one of the top 35 early-career scientists globally in the 2025 CAS Future Leaders program.Relevant for:Analytical chemists and mass spectrometry practitionersLab managers seeking sustainable and cost-effective sample prep solutionsResearchers interested in green chemistry and automationDIY enthusiasts and makers interested in laboratory innovationStudents pursuing careers in analytical chemistry

    33 min
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Dive into the frontiers of chromatography, mass spectrometry, and sample preparation with host David Oliva. Each episode features candid conversations with leading researchers, industry innovators, and passionate scientists who are shaping the future of analytical chemistry. From decoding PFAS detection challenges to exploring the latest in AI-assisted liquid chromatography, this show uncovers practical workflows, sustainability breakthroughs, and the real-world impact of separation science. Whether you’re a chromatographer, lab professional, or researcher you'll discover inspiring content!

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