Katelynn Perrault Uptmor

Meet Katelynn Perrault Uptmor

Analytical chemistry is the study of measurement as a key to progress. There is no such way to understand the world around us better than to be able to take sound scientific measurements of it. There are many fundamental ways to ruin this pursuit of understanding by ignoring the importance of analytical science. If we cannot trust measurements, they are not performed with an assurance of quality, or we have no way to evaluate them properly after being obtained, then it stands that all other disciplines will suffer from those consequences. I have always viewed analytical chemistry as a link between not only chemical disciplines, but all scientific disciplines.

Back in 1972, the National Bureau of Standards released proceedings on “Analytical Chemistry: Key to Progress on National Problems” that addressed the integral importance of analytical chemistry towards progress on electronics, clinical medicine, agricultural science, air pollution, water pollution, and more. And now, over 50 years later, we find ourselves still having to justify the point of analytical science? It is important, now more than ever, that we advocate for the importance of analytical chemistry as a discipline. It is the only way by which we can synthesize high quality information to advance many important facets of society.

Many will consider a textbook definition of analytical chemistry when considering this question. Of course, analytical chemistry involves characterizing composition. However, it is much more than simply reporting a measurement. The extraction of information from analytical data has the potential to change everything – to solve disease processes, to discover new materials, to improve on our use of resources. With that, the endeavor of training analytical chemists becomes inherently valuable for our society and something we should be rigorously investing in. Our future generations of analytical chemists will hold the key to providing compelling information that will change society for the better.