Join us before the Dinner Lecture from 6 pm to 6:30 pm for a Happy Half Hour of networking and fun!
This presentation will discuss the development of a novel method for analyzing salmon for the pollutant 6PPD-Quinone. 6PPD-Q was pinpointed in 2020 as the cause of mysterious mass deaths of coho salmon in the Pacific Northwest. Fish exposed to it showed erratic behavior and died before spawning. Although coho salmon are the best-known victims of this poison, other species may also be at risk, and environmental toxicologists are still investigating the broader ecological consequences.
Don Shelly has over 35 years of experience in the analytical chemistry industry, including over 15 years as a bench chemist in contract laboratories. He’s seen every problem and knows how to fix them. Don is a world-renowned expert in solid-phase extraction and extract cleanup. He has authored publications on QuEChERS cleanup, solid-phase extraction, and reference material usage. Don has years of experience in tracking down and eliminating laboratory contamination.
This course offers a well-designed combination of lecture and hands-on laboratory training. Students gain sufficient theoretical and practical background to perform independent work in liquid chromatography.
The three day course encompasses all major areas of liquid chromatography and related sample preparation techniques likely to be encountered by workers practicing in the field.
Experts active in the field of liquid chromatography lead the course and laboratory sessions.
A full day of intensive laboratory experiments gives the students, working as small teams, invaluable hands-on experience.
The latest high performance UHPLC/HPLC equipment, supplied by leading manufacturers, comprise the chromatographic instrumentation for students to use during the lab sessions. Technical experts from the various companies will guide students through the operation of the system.
Registration Deadline: September 30, 2025
Includes text, supplies, and lunches
Early Registration Discount (August 1 – August 31): $1100
Registration Fee after August 31: $1195
Student Price: $500
Location: Roosevelt University, 1400 N Roosevelt Blvd Schaumburg, IL 60173
Course is October 7- 9, 2025
8 am – 5pm each day
Printed course material is provided, at no extra cost to the student, by the Chicago Chromatography Discussion Group.
Course Instructor:Merlin K. L. Bicking, Ph.D.Woodbury, MN 55125Phone: (651) 731-3670 Fax: (651) 730-0965
Education:
Bachelor of Science – Chemistry
University of Wisconsin – River Falls, WI
Doctor of Philosophy – Organic-Analytical Chemistry
Iowa State University – Ames, IA
Dr. Merlin Bicking is the founder of ACCTA, Inc., an analytical chemistry training and consulting firm. With more than 30 years of post-graduate experience in academia, contract research, contract laboratory, and independent consulting, he provides basic through advanced level training on laboratory skills and use of analytical equipment. His expertise includes analytical separations, method development, and problem-solving, using a wide range of techniques including HPLC, GC, GC/MS, SFE, SFC, FTIR, NMR, and absorbance spectrophotometry. Dr. Bicking received a BS in Chemistry from the University of Wisconsin – River Falls and a Ph.D. in Organic-Analytical Chemistry from Iowa State University.
Join us for a dinner and networking event Wednesday September 10, 2025 at the Westwood Tavern in Schaumburg, IL. The lecture, presented by Autumn Payne, will cover learnings and insights of the newly released QSight500 UHPLC-triple quadrupole system, focusing on StayCleanTM technology that allows for increased robustness, better ion transmission, less contamination buildup and less required maintenance. StayCleanTM Ion Source is designed to handle increased matrix components while overcoming contamination buildup and avoiding subsequent interferences. The instrument performance will be highlighted by a variety of studies testing for robustness, and applications that Perkin Elmer has successfully implemented, including pesticide/herbicide/fungicide analysis and PFAS analysis in a variety of dirty matrices.
Bio:
Autumn Payne is a Field Application Scientist currently working at Perkin Elmer, specializing in LC and LC-MS/MS applications. She has been with the company for three years and is based out of Kalamazoo Michigan. Her previous experiences were as a lab manager and analyst in environmental testing laboratories. She operated a variety of instruments (ICP-OES, ICP-MS, GFAA, HPLC-UV, UHPLC-MS/MS, GC-FTIR, GC-MS) for the analysis of plants, drinking water and wastewater samples. She has a passion for delivering clean and safe products that are quality tested for potential contaminants of concern. She also values providing support for laboratories through the learning process with new instruments. In her free time, she enjoys adventuring outdoors and spending quality time with loved ones and her two handsome cats.
This course provides comprehensive theoretical and practical instruction to enable independent work in liquid chromatography. 2 days in the classroom are followed by a day in the laboratory where students, guided by representatives by all leading LC vendors, put into practice what they’ve learned.
Join us for a dinner and networking event Wednesday April 16, 2025 at the Westwood Tavern in Schaumburg, IL. The lecture, presented by Don Shelly, will cover learnings and insights on how all C18s are not created equal in solid-phase extraction. This presentation will present blind performance data from multiple sorbent manufacturers’ C18s and how their C18s compare under duplicate extraction conditions. Other helpful information will be included.
Join us for a dinner and networking event Thursday March 13, 2025 at the Westwood Tavern in Schaumburg, IL. The lecture, presented by Nivesh Mittal, will cover learnings and insights on a cutting-edge platform designed to streamline the complexities of method development.
Driven by the recent revisions in ICH Q2(R2) and the introduction of Q14, the adoption of Analytical Quality by Design (AQbD) principles has become increasingly critical for analytical method development . This risk-based approach emphasizes a thorough understanding of analytical methods through systematic experimentation, including Design of Experiments (DoE) and the establishment of a design space to elucidate the impact of method parameters on analytical results. This paradigm shift facilitates the development of robust and reliable methods with minimized risk, independent of an analyst’s experience.
LabSolutions MD is a cutting-edge AQbD-driven platform designed to streamline the complexities of method development. By simplifying the critical phases of method development—screening, optimization, and robustness testing—LabSolutions MD empowers users to navigate the challenges of traditional method development with ease. This presentation will delve into the limitations of manual method development and showcase how LabSolutions MD provides innovative tools to overcome these obstacles. Furthermore, real-world case studies from the pharmaceutical and biopharmaceutical sectors will be presented, highlighting the successful implementation of LabSolutions MD in diverse analytical workflows.
Join us for a dinner and networking event Wednesday December 4, 2024 at the Westwood Tavern in Schaumburg, IL. The lecture, presented by Natasha Hausler Banke PhD, will cover learnings and insights on In-Situ analysis of the presence of a photoinitiator after curing.
Over the past few years, regulatory reclassifications have continued to change how ink manufacturers world-wide formulate UV cured inks. Adding a chemical to the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) Substances of Very High Concern (SVHC) list triggers changes in regulatory reporting. Manufacturers and importers of articles which contain the SVHC become legally required to notify customers/consumers if the concentration is greater than 0.1% w/w. In addition, ECHA must be notified if the total amount of SVHC imported into an EU country is greater than 1 metric ton/ year. While inclusion on the list is not a ban on use, it has this effect for ink manufacturers. For example, member companies of the European Printing Ink Association (EuPIA) agree to abide by the Exclusion Policy, which requires formulating inks away from the use of an SVHC. Additionally, brand owners may have similar requirements for packaging and printing inks. Under general exclusions for ink formulations, the Nestlé guidance states an SVHC “must not be used where suitable alternatives exist.” In contrast to some European regulations, the USFDA does not explicitly regulate the contents of printing ink. However, the USFDA does regulate the food additives. Subsequently, it is the responsibility of the manufacturer of a food contact substance (FCS) to ensure the FCM is consistent with applicable authorizations and does not adulterate food.
Differing regulations between Europe and the US frequently lead to fit-for-use questions of ink formulations. We are commonly asked what substances are acceptable for use and what residual ink components are present in the matrix of the cured print. In response to previous customer questions and regulatory changes, INX has undertaken several studies to evaluate exposure of an SVHC during the manufacturing process. As an extension of previously completed work, the current study evaluates the presence of residual PI369 in a cured print and determine if that print contains levels of the residual SVHC above labeling requirements in the EU (0.1%).
Natasha Hausler Banke, PhD – Director, Analytical R&D INX International Ink Company
Join us for a dinner and networking event Wednesday May 8,2024 at the Westwood Tavern in Schaumburg, IL. The topics discussed will cover our learnings and humble insights from an almost 4-year journey into chromatography including HPLC, separation and preparative chromatography, UHPLC-MS, centrifugal partition chromatography (CPC), LC-MS/MS, CEMS metabolomics and MS imaging (DESI-TOF).
Leonard Lerer will present published and in-progress research highlighting the pivotal role of chromatography.
Sean Johnston will discuss the operational challenges and successes of operating a small biotechnology analytical chemistry laboratory and review their work in method development and quality assurance.
Alex Buko will present the resolution and sensitivity advantages of CEMS and the operation of DESI-TOF.
Geoffrey Todosiev will present the scale-up potential from milligram scale to kilo scale chromatographic purification.
Join us for a dinner and networking event Thursday April 18, 2024, at the Westwood Tavern in Schaumburg, IL. The topics discussed will cover sample prep techniques for non-targeted analysis of PFAS using combustion ion chromatography. Due to their environmental persistence and potential implications on human health, the analysis of per-and polyfluoroalkyl substances, or PFAS, in the environment remains critical. Targeted analysis using LC-MS/MS has long been the analytical method of choice, due to its high sensitivity and specificity. With more than 3000 potential PFAS-type compounds, targeted analysis does not always allow for the assessment of the total impact of these compounds. Because of this, there has been increasing interest by regulatory committees in non-targeted analysis techniques, such as quantifying total organic fluorine (TOF), as a PFAS impact assessment. Combustion Ion Chromatography, or CIC, allows for the sensitive quantitation of TOF, ranging from single ppb to percent levels. In this technique, samples are combusted in a high temperature oven, where organofluorine bonds are broken to produce HF, which is subsequently absorbed into solution and analyzed by IC for fluorine. Prior to analysis by IC, inorganic, or free fluoride must be separated from the sample to prevent interference. A variety of techniques exist to accomplish removal of inorganic fluoride, such as the AOF (adsorbable organic fluorine) method, which captures organofluorine compounds on an activated charcoal bed and allows for removal of free fluoride through a rinsing step. The charcoal can then be analyzed by CIC. Other methods have also been investigated to further improve recovery of TOF, allowing for the non-targeted identification of PFAS compounds ranging from C1-C16+. A comparison of these methods will be presented.
Dr. Gandhi brings 38+ years of proficiency with virtually all analytical instrumentation and the techniques of Environmental, Petrochemical and Pharmaceutical testing and research. In his distinguished career, here are few highlights of his achievements.
1. 1992-1993 – He received a recognition from DuPont Company as non-DuPont employee for completing Recycled Vinyl Acetate project from conception to completion in record 10 months. This saved DuPont $12 million per year.
2. 1994-1998 – At Varian Inc., He received several awards as exemplary employee for outstanding customer service.
3. 2001 – At NASA being a principal investigator for Mars Exploration project, received several awards for Recycling of Water in Space project and several safety awards.
4. Since 2002 – He has shepherded several ASTM and USEPA methods, for example USEPA method 332.0 for “Perchlorate Analysis in water by ICMS”, USEPA Method 218.7 for “Analysis of Hexavalent Chromium in Drinking Water”
5. Currently he is globally involved with development of “Total Fluorine” analysis using Combustion Ion Chromatography (C-IC)
6. Since 2003, Dr. Gandhi is a non-paid adjunct faculty at University of Houston- Clearlake where he enjoys guiding graduate and post graduate students for their independent study program.
7. Loves listening to music of Kenny G, Mozart and Bach.
LC School Reviews
“I now have a better understanding of how HPLC works and why column choice is so important.”
“It is a fantastic course for learning the theory of LC and method development”
“The instructor, Merlin Bicking, is very helpful. It was great to see how wiling he is to answer questions and all the variety of methods he worked on.”
“I am just beginning my position from out of school. I found the course very insightful in terms of preparation for my future career”
“It is very useful for me because having hands on experience, which helped me to understand more of HPLC.”
“Great class. Would easily take again and recommend Dr. Merlin anytime. Would love to take his other courses. If he had a book would quickly buy for reference.”
Posted: October 17, 2025 by CCDG Leave a Comment
RSVP for Waters Corp: Spooktacular Open House!
Last Updated: October 17, 2025 by CCDG Leave a Comment
CCDG Dinner Lecture: A Method for Emerging Contaminants from Tire Particles in Salmon
REGISTER HERE
Featured Speaker: Don Shelly
Location: Westwood Tavern Schaumburg, IL
Date: Wednesday November 5, 2025
Time: 6pm – 9pm
Join us before the Dinner Lecture from 6 pm to 6:30 pm for a Happy Half Hour of networking and fun!
This presentation will discuss the development of a novel method for analyzing salmon for the pollutant 6PPD-Quinone. 6PPD-Q was pinpointed in 2020 as the cause of mysterious mass deaths of coho salmon in the Pacific Northwest. Fish exposed to it showed erratic behavior and died before spawning. Although coho salmon are the best-known victims of this poison, other species may also be at risk, and environmental toxicologists are still investigating the broader ecological consequences.
Don Shelly has over 35 years of experience in the analytical chemistry industry, including over 15 years as a bench chemist in contract laboratories. He’s seen every problem and knows how to fix them. Don is a world-renowned expert in solid-phase extraction and extract cleanup. He has authored publications on QuEChERS cleanup, solid-phase extraction, and reference material usage. Don has years of experience in tracking down and eliminating laboratory contamination.
REGISTER HERE
Last Updated: August 5, 2025 by CCDG Leave a Comment
CCDG HPLC School 2025
Register Here
This course offers a well-designed combination of lecture and hands-on laboratory training. Students gain sufficient theoretical and practical background to perform independent work in liquid chromatography.
The three day course encompasses all major areas of liquid chromatography and related sample preparation techniques likely to be encountered by workers practicing in the field.
Experts active in the field of liquid chromatography lead the course and laboratory sessions.
A full day of intensive laboratory experiments gives the students, working as small teams, invaluable hands-on experience.
The latest high performance UHPLC/HPLC equipment, supplied by leading manufacturers, comprise the chromatographic instrumentation for students to use during the lab sessions. Technical experts from the various companies will guide students through the operation of the system.
Registration Deadline: September 30, 2025
Includes text, supplies, and lunches
Early Registration Discount (August 1 – August 31): $1100
Registration Fee after August 31: $1195
Student Price: $500
Location: Roosevelt University, 1400 N Roosevelt Blvd Schaumburg, IL 60173
Course is October 7- 9, 2025
8 am – 5pm each day
Printed course material is provided, at no extra cost to the student, by the Chicago Chromatography Discussion Group.
Course Instructor:Merlin K. L. Bicking, Ph.D.Woodbury, MN 55125Phone: (651) 731-3670 Fax: (651) 730-0965
Education:
Dr. Merlin Bicking is the founder of ACCTA, Inc., an analytical chemistry training and consulting firm. With more than 30 years of post-graduate experience in academia, contract research, contract laboratory, and independent consulting, he provides basic through advanced level training on laboratory skills and use of analytical equipment. His expertise includes analytical separations, method development, and problem-solving, using a wide range of techniques including HPLC, GC, GC/MS, SFE, SFC, FTIR, NMR, and absorbance spectrophotometry. Dr. Bicking received a BS in Chemistry from the University of Wisconsin – River Falls and a Ph.D. in Organic-Analytical Chemistry from Iowa State University.
Register Here
Posted: August 1, 2025 by CCDG Leave a Comment
CCDG Dinner Lecture: Perkin Elmer’s QSight500 LC-MS/MS with StayClean
Register Here
Join us for a dinner and networking event Wednesday September 10, 2025 at the Westwood Tavern in Schaumburg, IL. The lecture, presented by Autumn Payne, will cover learnings and insights of the newly released QSight500 UHPLC-triple quadrupole system, focusing on StayCleanTM technology that allows for increased robustness, better ion transmission, less contamination buildup and less required maintenance. StayCleanTM Ion Source is designed to handle increased matrix components while overcoming contamination buildup and avoiding subsequent interferences. The instrument performance will be highlighted by a variety of studies testing for robustness, and applications that Perkin Elmer has successfully implemented, including pesticide/herbicide/fungicide analysis and PFAS analysis in a variety of dirty matrices.
Bio:
Autumn Payne is a Field Application Scientist currently working at Perkin Elmer, specializing in LC and LC-MS/MS applications. She has been with the company for three years and is based out of Kalamazoo Michigan. Her previous experiences were as a lab manager and analyst in environmental testing laboratories. She operated a variety of instruments (ICP-OES, ICP-MS, GFAA, HPLC-UV, UHPLC-MS/MS, GC-FTIR, GC-MS) for the analysis of plants, drinking water and wastewater samples. She has a passion for delivering clean and safe products that are quality tested for potential contaminants of concern. She also values providing support for laboratories through the learning process with new instruments. In her free time, she enjoys adventuring outdoors and spending quality time with loved ones and her two handsome cats.
Register Here
Last Updated: July 30, 2025 by CCDG Leave a Comment
Save the Date! 2025 CCDG: AN INTRODUCTORY COURSE IN LIQUID CHROMATOGRAPHY
Registration Details Coming Soon !
October 7 – 9, 2025
8:30 AM – 4:00 PM
Roosevelt University, Schaumburg Campus
1400 N Roosevelt Boulevard Schaumburg, IL 60173
Instructor: Merlin K. L. Bicking, PhD
Description
This course provides comprehensive theoretical and practical instruction to enable independent work in liquid chromatography. 2 days in the classroom are followed by a day in the laboratory where students, guided by representatives by all leading LC vendors, put into practice what they’ve learned.
Early Registration Discount
$ 1100 August 1 – August 31
$1195 after August 31
Students $500.00
Registration Details Coming Soon !
For questions, contact rich_demuro@waters.com
Last Updated: August 5, 2025 by CCDG Leave a Comment
CCDG Dinner Lecture: Solid-Phase Extraction: All C18s Are Not the Same
Register Here
Join us for a dinner and networking event Wednesday April 16, 2025 at the Westwood Tavern in Schaumburg, IL. The lecture, presented by Don Shelly, will cover learnings and insights on how all C18s are not created equal in solid-phase extraction. This presentation will present blind performance data from multiple sorbent manufacturers’ C18s and how their C18s compare under duplicate extraction conditions. Other helpful information will be included.
Last Updated: August 5, 2025 by CCDG Leave a Comment
CCDG Dinner Lecture: Streamlining the Complexities of Method Development
Join us for a dinner and networking event Thursday March 13, 2025 at the Westwood Tavern in Schaumburg, IL. The lecture, presented by Nivesh Mittal, will cover learnings and insights on a cutting-edge platform designed to streamline the complexities of method development.
REGISTER HERE
Driven by the recent revisions in ICH Q2(R2) and the introduction of Q14, the adoption of Analytical Quality by Design (AQbD) principles has become increasingly critical for analytical method development . This risk-based approach emphasizes a thorough understanding of analytical methods through systematic experimentation, including Design of Experiments (DoE) and the establishment of a design space to elucidate the impact of method parameters on analytical results. This paradigm shift facilitates the development of robust and reliable methods with minimized risk, independent of an analyst’s experience.
LabSolutions MD is a cutting-edge AQbD-driven platform designed to streamline the complexities of method development. By simplifying the critical phases of method development—screening, optimization, and robustness testing—LabSolutions MD empowers users to navigate the challenges of traditional method development with ease. This presentation will delve into the limitations of manual method development and showcase how LabSolutions MD provides innovative tools to overcome these obstacles. Furthermore, real-world case studies from the pharmaceutical and biopharmaceutical sectors will be presented, highlighting the successful implementation of LabSolutions MD in diverse analytical workflows.
Last Updated: August 5, 2025 by CCDG Leave a Comment
Upcoming! CCDG Dinner Lecture: Food packaging and LCMS risk analysis
Register Here
Join us for a dinner and networking event Wednesday December 4, 2024 at the Westwood Tavern in Schaumburg, IL. The lecture, presented by Natasha Hausler Banke PhD, will cover learnings and insights on In-Situ analysis of the presence of a photoinitiator after curing.
Over the past few years, regulatory reclassifications have continued to change how ink manufacturers world-wide formulate UV cured inks. Adding a chemical to the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) Substances of Very High Concern (SVHC) list triggers changes in regulatory reporting. Manufacturers and importers of articles which contain the SVHC become legally required to notify customers/consumers if the concentration is greater than 0.1% w/w. In addition, ECHA must be notified if the total amount of SVHC imported into an EU country is greater than 1 metric ton/ year. While inclusion on the list is not a ban on use, it has this effect for ink manufacturers. For example, member companies of the European Printing Ink Association (EuPIA) agree to abide by the Exclusion Policy, which requires formulating inks away from the use of an SVHC. Additionally, brand owners may have similar requirements for packaging and printing inks. Under general exclusions for ink formulations, the Nestlé guidance states an SVHC “must not be used where suitable alternatives exist.” In contrast to some European regulations, the USFDA does not explicitly regulate the contents of printing ink. However, the USFDA does regulate the food additives. Subsequently, it is the responsibility of the manufacturer of a food contact substance (FCS) to ensure the FCM is consistent with applicable authorizations and does not adulterate food.
Differing regulations between Europe and the US frequently lead to fit-for-use questions of ink formulations. We are commonly asked what substances are acceptable for use and what residual ink components are present in the matrix of the cured print. In response to previous customer questions and regulatory changes, INX has undertaken several studies to evaluate exposure of an SVHC during the manufacturing process. As an extension of previously completed work, the current study evaluates the presence of residual PI369 in a cured print and determine if that print contains levels of the residual SVHC above labeling requirements in the EU (0.1%).
Natasha Hausler Banke, PhD – Director, Analytical R&D INX International Ink Company
Last Updated: August 5, 2025 by CCDG Leave a Comment
The Chicago Chromatography Discussion Group invites you to an in-person Dinner Meeting
Title: Tripping into Chromatography
Speakers:
Leonard Lerer
Founder and CSO – Back of the Yards Algae Sciences (BYAS)-ParowBio
Sean Johnston
Director of Analytical Laboratory – BYAS-ParowBio
Alex Buko
Vice President Human Metabolome Technologies America
Geoffrey Todosiev
President, MetaPür Inc
Location: Westwood Tavern Schaumburg, IL
Date: Wednesday May 8, 2024
Time: 6pm – 9pm
REGISTER HERE
Join us for a dinner and networking event Wednesday May 8,2024 at the Westwood Tavern in Schaumburg, IL. The topics discussed will cover our learnings and humble insights from an almost 4-year journey into chromatography including HPLC, separation and preparative chromatography, UHPLC-MS, centrifugal partition chromatography (CPC), LC-MS/MS, CEMS metabolomics and MS imaging (DESI-TOF).
Leonard Lerer will present published and in-progress research highlighting the pivotal role of chromatography.
Sean Johnston will discuss the operational challenges and successes of operating a small biotechnology analytical chemistry laboratory and review their work in method development and quality assurance.
Alex Buko will present the resolution and sensitivity advantages of CEMS and the operation of DESI-TOF.
Geoffrey Todosiev will present the scale-up potential from milligram scale to kilo scale chromatographic purification.
Last Updated: August 5, 2025 by CCDG Leave a Comment
The Chicago Chromatography Discussion Group invites you to an in-person Dinner Meeting
Speaker: Dr. Jay Gandhi, Ph.D., Vertical Market Manager, Metrohm USA, Inc.
Title: Combustion Ion Chromatography
Location: Westwood Tavern Schaumburg, IL
Date: Thursday, April 18th, 2024
Time: 6pm – 9pm
REGISTER HERE
Join us for a dinner and networking event Thursday April 18, 2024, at the Westwood Tavern in Schaumburg, IL. The topics discussed will cover sample prep techniques for non-targeted analysis of PFAS using combustion ion chromatography. Due to their environmental persistence and potential implications on human health, the analysis of per-and polyfluoroalkyl substances, or PFAS, in the environment remains critical. Targeted analysis using LC-MS/MS has long been the analytical method of choice, due to its high sensitivity and specificity. With more than 3000 potential PFAS-type compounds, targeted analysis does not always allow for the assessment of the total impact of these compounds. Because of this, there has been increasing interest by regulatory committees in non-targeted analysis techniques, such as quantifying total organic fluorine (TOF), as a PFAS impact assessment. Combustion Ion Chromatography, or CIC, allows for the sensitive quantitation of TOF, ranging from single ppb to percent levels. In this technique, samples are combusted in a high temperature oven, where organofluorine bonds are broken to produce HF, which is subsequently absorbed into solution and analyzed by IC for fluorine. Prior to analysis by IC, inorganic, or free fluoride must be separated from the sample to prevent interference. A variety of techniques exist to accomplish removal of inorganic fluoride, such as the AOF (adsorbable organic fluorine) method, which captures organofluorine compounds on an activated charcoal bed and allows for removal of free fluoride through a rinsing step. The charcoal can then be analyzed by CIC. Other methods have also been investigated to further improve recovery of TOF, allowing for the non-targeted identification of PFAS compounds ranging from C1-C16+. A comparison of these methods will be presented.
Dr. Gandhi brings 38+ years of proficiency with virtually all analytical instrumentation and the techniques of Environmental, Petrochemical and Pharmaceutical testing and research. In his distinguished career, here are few highlights of his achievements.
1. 1992-1993 – He received a recognition from DuPont Company as non-DuPont employee for completing Recycled Vinyl Acetate project from conception to completion in record 10 months. This saved DuPont $12 million per year.
2. 1994-1998 – At Varian Inc., He received several awards as exemplary employee for outstanding customer service.
3. 2001 – At NASA being a principal investigator for Mars Exploration project, received several awards for Recycling of Water in Space project and several safety awards.
4. Since 2002 – He has shepherded several ASTM and USEPA methods, for example USEPA method 332.0 for “Perchlorate Analysis in water by ICMS”, USEPA Method 218.7 for “Analysis of Hexavalent Chromium in Drinking Water”
5. Currently he is globally involved with development of “Total Fluorine” analysis using Combustion Ion Chromatography (C-IC)
6. Since 2003, Dr. Gandhi is a non-paid adjunct faculty at University of Houston- Clearlake where he enjoys guiding graduate and post graduate students for their independent study program.
7. Loves listening to music of Kenny G, Mozart and Bach.
LC School Reviews
“I now have a better understanding of how HPLC works and why column choice is so important.”
“It is a fantastic course for learning the theory of LC and method development”
“The instructor, Merlin Bicking, is very helpful. It was great to see how wiling he is to answer questions and all the variety of methods he worked on.”
“I am just beginning my position from out of school. I found the course very insightful in terms of preparation for my future career”
“It is very useful for me because having hands on experience, which helped me to understand more of HPLC.”
“Great class. Would easily take again and recommend Dr. Merlin anytime. Would love to take his other courses. If he had a book would quickly buy for reference.”