Ramon Barnes

Professor Emeritus of Chemistry, University of Massachusetts, USA.

Why analytical science?
My first interest in chemistry was inspired in a high school chemistry class and its instructor – Harley Reifsnyder. My original curiosity in analytical science was motivated by a college course in quantitatively analysis taught by Harry Freund at Oregon State University, who later encouraged me to undertake a senior research project. Howard V. Malmstadt at the University of Illinois unlocked a deep, lasting interest in analytical and measurement sciences during my PhD research.

Biggest surprise
Feeling the excitement of making a research discovery surprised me.

What makes spectroscopy so exciting?
Spectroscopy is among the fundamental frontiers of science, and its applications in plasma spectrochemistry achieve ever-new solutions to problems in fields from earth sciences (geochemistry, high-resolution isotopic analysis) to medicine (metal speciation, mass cytometry).

Part of the Power List 2017

The Magnificent Tens
After 2016’s celebration of women in analytical science, we return to the Top 100 for 2017.
But there’s a twist. This summer, we asked you to nominate scientists in ten categories – from the stars of separation science, to omics explorers, to the mentors training the next generation.

Go to The Power List 2017