Embracing Analytical Scientists Everywhere

The SciX Conference holds a special place for me. It is where I met my husband, earned my first student poster award, and found a supportive professional analytical chemistry community. And this year is even more special because I am serving as Program Chair for the first time. I feel lucky to work with a passionate, dedicated, world-class team that includes over 120 program chairs, including Mark Henson as General Chair, Mike Carrabba as Exhibits Chair, Rob Chimenti as Workshops Chair, and Garth Simpson as Awards Chair.

The event will be held at a new location for 2018: the Marriott Marquis in Atlanta, Georgia – a unique venue that allows SciX to expand its technical program, offer new workshops, and enable new networking opportunities.

The SciX conference is known for the strength and diversity of its technical program, and this year is no exception. The joint meetings of SciX 2018 will contain 130 sessions covering all fields of analytical chemistry. We are pleased that this year’s program will also incorporate the International LIBS 2018 conference.

For 2018, we have a special focus on analytical chemistry’s role in addressing the environmental impact of microplastics, with a number of dedicated sessions and a keynote address from Matthew Savoca of the NOAA Southwest Fisheries Science Center and Hopkins Marine Station at Stanford University. Savoca will speak on the analytical challenges of identifying microplastic debris and understanding their effect on marine wildlife.

Education is a central mission of the Federation of Analytical Chemistry and Spectroscopy Societies (FACSS), and the SciX conference supports this goal through the technical program and by offering short courses. Taught by experts in the field, introductory, advanced, and/or hands-on technical short courses will be offered onsite encompassing the areas of Raman spectroscopy, LIBS, entrepreneurship, process analytical technology (PAT), STEM education, and chemometrics.  I highlight two exciting offsite workshops that will be offered for the first time this year: hands-on forensics analysis (offered in conjunction with MVA Consultants) and Quality Control Testing of Beer (to be held at Sweetwater Brewery). Notably, space is limited for all workshops.

By design, SciX is a great conference for students. We feature daily student poster awards, special conference hotel rates for students, the opportunity for travel grants, networking events, scientific receptions, and even a free lunch! There are also volunteer opportunities for students to increase their involvement in the conference and earn discounted registration. Additionally, in recognition of our long-standing relationship with scientists in Puerto Rico and in support of rebuilding efforts after Hurricane Maria, we are offering complimentary registrations for SciX 2018 for students enrolled at any Puerto Rican university.

The Exhibits feature the latest in instrumentation from leading vendors in the analytical sciences.  Lunches are provided for attendees in the Exhibits hall, with the “What’s Hot” sessions assembled by Exhibit Chair Mike Carrabba to learn about the latest products vendors have to offer.

Lastly, SciX is about bringing people from the exhibit floor to the dance floor. The theme for Wednesday night’s all-inclusive Gala event is: “The Great Science Fiction Exchange.” After a long day of exchanging scientific facts, come put your knowledge of lasers and quantum physics to more entertaining use as SciX warps into an alternate dimension for one night only. Dress up as your favorite science fiction character and add your distinctiveness to our collective, or just dance like an Ewok as we assemble the armada to party like the Second Death Star just blew up! Resistance is FUTILE. So say we all!

SciX 2018 will be held at the Atlanta Marriott Marquis October 21-26 in Atlanta, Georgia, USA. Visit www.scixconference.com, to learn more and to register.