I’ve Got the Power

Actually, I don’t have the power. But you do, as we launch the 2015 Power List to celebrate the Top 100 most influential analytical scientists.

Back in 2013, The Analytical Scientist put its young reputation on the line by publishing a list of 100 names. The Power List drew its significant talent from your nominations and highlighted the passions, motivations and greatest achievments of gifted analytical scientists whose diverse areas of expertise covered everything from metabolomics to paper-based diagnostics to spectrochemistry.

In this month’s issue, John Yates III takes center stage. A humble guy who is forging a long-lasting legacy in proteomics and mass spectrometry, John tells his life story – why and how he got to where he is today. Some of you will no doubt remember that John took the number one spot on our 2013 Power List – an accolade that belies his quiet and unassuming nature, but was nevertheless entirely deserved.

Therefore, it seemed entirely fitting to me that we should use this issue – and the ASMS 2015 meeting – to kick off the 2015 Power List by asking you to nominate the great and the good in analytical science.

Now, as John told me in New Orleans, “The Power List really put The Analytical Scientist on the map” – a great side-effect of throwing a positive spotlight on the field’s endeavors. Of course, he may have been politely telling me that it ruffled a few feathers... Clearly, it was not our intention to cause any friction in the community (quite the opposite), but some excellent and respected scientists did miss out. Why? Perhaps, because they weren’t even nominated. And just as about one half of the UK are reeling from the recent general election result, if you don’t vote, you can’t make your opinion heard.

Notably, the 2013 Power List disappointingly featured only eight women – none of whom made it into the Top 20. Is that really representative? And what about other inequalities? Both questions that are certainly worth bearing in mind as you make your selection.

And so, I use this month’s editorial message to urge you to nominate your beloved colleagues and respected peers – especially those who do not readily promote themselves or their own achievements – by completing the extremely short Power List nomination form or by emailing me at [email protected].

The Power List is a celebration – and I invite you to join me in cheering our wonderful field and the excellent work that you all do. You’ve got the power!

Power List 2015 nominations now closed.

Fill in the online form or email: [email protected] with the name, affiliation and reason for your nomination.