When Katelynn Perrault Uptmor joined William & Mary in 2023, she gained the opportunity to build a different kind of research group. Rather than relying primarily on PhD students and postdocs, her laboratory brings undergraduates into research early – allowing them to develop their skills over several years while giving Perrault the chance to remain closely involved in the experimental work.
The group uses comprehensive two-dimensional gas chromatography (GC×GC) to investigate forensic challenges involving gunshot residue, fingerprints, and chemical assault agents, as well as more fundamental questions in separation science. Perrault believes better instrumentation and more intuitive software are helping GC×GC progress from a specialist research technique toward routine use, although the manual work required to curate complex datasets remains a significant obstacle.
Away from the laboratory, Perrault competes in triathlons and sailboat racing. These pursuits have reinforced the value of patience, resilience, and confronting weaknesses rather than avoiding them. As she puts it, “A lot of growth comes from embracing challenges.”
In this video interview, Perrault considers how AI could ease the data-processing bottleneck in chromatography, why involving students in research early can have a lasting impact, and where she hopes to take her work next. She also reflects on the parallels between scientific research and endurance sports – and how small gains can eventually accumulate into something significant.
Watch the full interview below.
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