Pittcon Today - Chemical & Engineering News

36 PITTCON TODAY :: TUESDAY :: March 13 2012 :: Orlando Orlando :: March 13 2012 :: TUESDAY :: PITTCON TODAY 37Workshopson BiofuelsAnalysis and NewApplications forUHPLCPhenomenex, which researchesand manufactures advancedtechnologies for the separationsciences, will present twoworkshops at Pittcon 2012.“UHPLC Beyond ReversedPhase: Expanding ApplicationAreas Beyond Small Molecules”will be presented on Wednesdayat 8 am in Room 308C. Speakersinclude industry experts fromGenentech, Innovative DNATechnologies, Mankind, Waters,and Phenomenex. Innovators inchromatography will discuss theimpacts of recent advances inUHPLC instrument and columntechnology on characterization ofproteins, oligonucleotides and otherbiologically relevant analytes.“Analytical and Spectroscopic Advancesand Their Impact on BiofuelAnalysis” will be presented on Thursdayat 8 am in Room 313. Speakersfrom Phenomenex and Shimadzuwill discuss the current state of theart in analytical techniques for biofuelsresearch and production, as wellas new advances.Complete agendas can be foundon the Pittcon website underTechnical Program/TechnicalSessions. There is no additionalcharge for registered Pittconconferees.Phenomenex is committedto developing novel analyticalchemistry solutions that solvethe separation and purificationchallenges of researchers inindustrial, clinical, governmentand academic laboratories.From drug discovery andpharmaceutical development todisease diagnosis, food safety,and environmental analysis,Phenomenex chromatographysolutions accelerate science andhelp researchers improve globalhealth and well-being.Visit Phenomenex at Booth1549.From Dasgupta page 6What do you like to do in yourspare time? Hobbies? Sports?Write Poetry? Sing/Dance?Read things of no redeemable value.What do you consider the topthree scientific breakthroughs—current or past?Discovery and deliberate creation offire; systematic cultivation of crops;and the concept of zero.What is your advice to20-somethings now trying tobuild careers in science?You have caught me on a day thatmy optimism about a scientificcareer, especially in academia(the only career I have known) isrunning low on gas. I am a little(that’s a lie—a lot) dispirited inthe all-encompassing emphasison getting money than actualaccomplishments that is pervasivein most academic environmentstoday and the emphasis onpackaging than content. If someMBA or lawyer is going to be youruniversity president and dictatewhat you should be aspiring to, youmight as well forget about scienceand study law or business. Thereality is that people are driven toscience because they are smittenby it, not because someone gavethem sage advice. And when youare in love, you are driven by thatcondition, rational or irrational. Isay to 20-somethings that whateveryou do, may you be fortunateenough to be in love with whatyou do.What is your greatest strength?What is your greatest weakness?Perseverance. Impatience.What are three things mostpeople don’t know about you?Yes. And indeed I would like tokeep them that way.What is the next scientific breakthroughyou would like to seesucceed?A cure for cancer—this one diseasetakes too many out in an untimelyfashion. n