Martin Gilar | Chromatography | Best Researcher Award

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Dr. Martin Gilar | Chromatography | Best Researcher Award

Waters Corporation, United States

👨‍🎓Profiles

🎓 Early Academic Pursuits

Dr. Martin Gilar completed his Ph.D. in Analytical Chemistry in 1996 from the Institute of Chemical Technology in Prague. His thesis, focused on the chiral separation of dihydropyridine calcium antagonists, established his early interest in complex analytical challenges. With an MSc in Chemistry from the same institution, Dr. Gilar also gained expertise in organic technology, further refining his skills with a certificate in Pharmaceutical Analytical Methods from the Institute of Medical Postgraduate Education, Charles University.

💼 Professional Endeavors

He began his career as a Senior Staff Scientist at the Faculty Hospital of Charles University, Prague, where he led clinical studies and developed methods for drug monitoring and enantioseparation. His subsequent work at the National Institute of Health in Prague saw him pioneering capillary gas chromatography and high-performance liquid chromatography methods to phenotype cytochrome P450 markers. He joined Waters Corporation in Milford, Massachusetts, where he continues to serve as a Research Fellow. Over more than two decades at Waters, he has made transformative advancements, from LC-MS analysis of oligonucleotides to multi-dimensional separations of complex proteins and peptides. He also contributed to the commercialization of impactful products like RapiGest and HILIC SPE plates, underscoring his contributions to both academia and industry.

🔬 Contributions and Research Focus

His research is deeply rooted in separation science, particularly in liquid chromatography (LC), ultra-performance liquid chromatography (UPLC), and LC-MS methods. He has explored diverse biomolecules, from oligonucleotides to glycopeptides, establishing techniques that have refined the precision of these separations. His pioneering work includes the development of multi-dimensional protein separation techniques with MS detection and contributions to capillary electrophoresis instrumentation.

🌍 Impact and Influence

With over 80 publications in peer-reviewed journals, Dr. Gilar has made a significant impact on analytical chemistry, particularly in chromatography and oligonucleotide analysis. His methodologies are widely adopted in fields spanning pharmaceutical sciences, biotechnology, and clinical diagnostics. His expertise is further recognized by prestigious accolades such as the Jaroslav Janak Medal from the Czech Academy of Science and the Chromatographic Society Jubilee Medal, underscoring his lasting influence in chromatography.

📈 Academic Citations and Patents

His innovations are not only influential in publications but also in patents. He holds several U.S. and international patents, including patents for solid-phase extraction devices and mass-spectrometric purification methods for biopolymers. These innovations have facilitated efficient sample preparation and complex biopolymer purification, enabling more accurate and high-throughput analyses. His work continues to be highly cited in academic circles, reflecting its foundational impact on modern analytical techniques.

🛠️ Technical Skills

His technical expertise spans LC, UPLC, HPLC, and capillary electrophoresis for both qualitative and quantitative analysis. He has a deep knowledge of ion-pairing techniques, hydrophilic interaction chromatography (HILIC), and two-dimensional liquid chromatography (2D-LC). His extensive experience with mass spectrometry (MS) and advanced detection systems has also supported his development of industry-leading techniques in protein, peptide, and oligonucleotide analysis.

🧑‍🏫 Teaching Experience and Mentorship

Throughout his career, Dr. Gilar has been committed to teaching and mentoring the next generation of scientists. His early role as a Staff Scientist at Northeastern University included supervising Ph.D. students and developing analytical instrumentation. His ongoing work at Waters Corporation has also involved leading and managing research teams, fostering a collaborative environment that drives innovative research.

🌟 Legacy and Future Contributions

His contributions have established a legacy in chromatography, particularly in innovative separation techniques and practical applications in biotechnology. His continued research at Waters Corporation promises to advance analytical chemistry, driving the field toward more precise, efficient, and reliable methods. As he remains active in both research and mentorship, His influence is set to endure, shaping the analytical landscape for years to come.

📖Notable Publications

 

Sicong Ma | Theoretical and Computational Chemistry | Best Researcher Award

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Assoc. Prof. Dr. Sicong Ma | Theoretical and Computational Chemistry | Best Researcher Award

Shanghai Institute of Organic Chemistry, China

👨‍🎓Profiles

🎓 Early Academic Pursuits

Dr. Sicong Ma, born in March 1992, began his academic journey with a strong foundation in applied chemistry at the China University of Petroleum (Beijing), where he completed his Bachelor of Science in 2013. He continued at the same institution for a Master's degree in Chemistry, working under the guidance of Professor Zhen Zhao until 2016. His academic path led him to Fudan University, where he earned his Ph.D. in Physical Chemistry in 2019 under Professor Zhi-Pan Liu. Here, he developed his expertise in theoretical and computational chemistry, laying the groundwork for his future contributions to catalysis and machine learning.

🏢 Professional Endeavors

After completing his Ph.D., He joined Fudan University as a postdoctoral researcher, continuing his work with Professor Zhi-Pan Liu until 2021. In August 2021, he joined the Shanghai Institute of Organic Chemistry as an Assistant Researcher. Recently promoted to Associate Professor, He has led several projects funded by prestigious institutions, including the National Natural Science Excellent Youth Fund, Shanghai Municipal Science and Technology Commission, and the China Postdoctoral Fund.

🔍 Contributions and Research Focus

His research interests span a unique blend of machine learning and catalysis. His expertise extends across both homogeneous and heterogeneous catalysis, with a particular focus on: Machine Learning and Heterogeneous Catalysis: He has conducted research on syngas-to-olefins conversions on OX-ZEO catalysts, propane hydrogenation, and similar transformations, Machine Learning and Homogeneous Catalysis: His work includes studies on the carbonylation of olefins and the development of a metal-phosphine ligand catalyst database, Zeolite Chemistry: He is also active in studying the mechanisms of zeolite formation and their applications in catalysis, contributing significantly to zeolite-related database construction.

📈 Impact and Influence

He has made substantial contributions to the field, publishing more than 20 papers in renowned journals such as Nature Catalysis, Nature Communications, and ACS Catalysis. Notably, he has served as first or corresponding author on 15 of these publications, solidifying his role as a leader in his field. His work has garnered attention and citations, reflecting his influence within theoretical and computational chemistry.

📚 Academic Achievements and Honors

Recognized for his academic excellence, He has received numerous awards and honors. He was honored with the Excellent Doctoral Dissertation Award from Fudan University in 2019, recognized as an Academic Star of Fudan University the same year, and awarded a Shanghai Super Postdoctoral Fellowship. Recently, he was inducted as a member of the Youth Innovation Promotion Association by the Chinese Academy of Sciences in 2023.

🛠️ Technical Skills

His technical expertise includes advanced machine learning algorithms for catalysis, computational modeling in chemistry, and extensive knowledge of catalysis mechanisms in both homogeneous and heterogeneous systems. His computational skills and programming knowledge enable him to create and manage large databases, crucial for his projects on zeolite and catalyst-related data.

📖 Teaching and Mentoring Experience

While focused primarily on research, He has also contributed to the academic community by mentoring postdocs and junior researchers in his lab. His guidance fosters a collaborative environment, ensuring that emerging researchers develop the skills necessary to advance in computational chemistry and catalysis.

🌐 Legacy and Future Contributions

His ongoing work promises to deepen the integration of machine learning in catalysis, with potential implications for sustainable energy solutions and efficient industrial chemical processes. As a young innovator and leader in his field, he is set to make lasting contributions, furthering both academic knowledge and practical applications in computational chemistry.

📖Notable Publications