Jean-Francois Masson
The Power List 2018
Jean-Francois Masson
Full Professor, Département de Chimie, Université de Montréal, Canada.
Early inspiration
After high school, I was training as a lab technician when an internship hooked me on analytical chemistry research. Plasmonics was emerging in the early 2000s; working on this topic provided an attractive opportunity to contribute to a new analytical field.
Research
I work on surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) optophysiology to monitor metabolite release from cells and neurons. This stimulating project lets me learn more about cell biology, physiology and machine learning data processing. I also work on field-deployable sensors for bioprocess monitoring, energetic materials and, as a true Canadian, maple syrup analysis.
Objective
To make innovations from my lab mature into technologies that will have a long-lasting impact in analytical sciences and in the community.
Advice
Networking is key. The analytical community is very supportive of early career scientists, and senior researchers in the field will gladly help you – so don’t be afraid to approach them. You will find new collaborators, generate ideas, create job opportunities and learn a lot.
Nominator comment:“Masson is a very prolific and creative scientist on all levels and a leading authority in portable instrumentation.”
