Lincoln, Neb. —An environmental mass spectrometry summit that began last fall will conclude May 12. The event will be moderated by Dr. Dan Snow, director of the University of Nebraska’s Water Sciences Laboratory (WSL). The summit is co-sponsored by Waters Corporation, a market-leading manufacturer of laboratory equipment, WSL and the Nebraska Water Center, both of which are part of the Robert B. Daugherty Water for Food Global Institute.
The summit’s overarching purpose is to spotlight advances in analytical mass spectrometry and applications for environmental science. Mass spectrometry enables researchers to determine the isotopic signature of a sample and decode the chemical identity of molecules and other compounds. As agricultural, industrial and municipal chemicals threaten fresh water supplies worldwide, the stakes of identifying and quantifying these contaminants are likewise rising. Researchers like Snow are pioneering mass spectrometry investigations that help us understand and protect our water and food supplies.
The online event is Wednesday, May 12 at 10 a.m. CST. Snow will moderate a discussion with Dr. Susan D. Richardson, professor of chemistry, University of South Carolina and Janitha De Alwis, senior applications chemist, Waters Corporation.
In 2019, Waters Corporation gifted WSL with a $247,000 equipment grant to “support promising faculty in selected universities to promote easy access to Waters products and technology.” This enabled the East Campus laboratory to purchase a state-of-the-art Xevo TQ-S mass spectrometer used to run environmental samples for a range of clients.
WSL’s mission is to provide technology, expertise, services, and training in advanced analytical science supporting today’s water and natural resources students, researchers, and stakeholders.