Gulf Coast Conference offers a return to normality as well as unparalleled insight into the US chemical analysis sector

2020 was a year that brought change, to say the least. How many articles have you read that started this way in the last month? Six months?  Are we ready to return to normalcy? Whatever that word means. One way we can start is by attending the 2021 Gulf Coast Conference on October 12-13, 2021.

Gulf Coast Conference (GCC) encompasses everything needed for a successful, enjoyable, educational, and gratifying get together:

In person? Check.

Great location? Galveston, TX! Check.

Professional encounters? Hospitality Suites from several vendors! Check.

Innovative, State-of-the-art presentations? From analytical experts from around the world! Check.

Great Food? Check, check, and check!

Amazing Keynote speakers? Dr. Kevin Shug and Leon de Bruyn! Check, and more on that later.

GCC was started in the 1950s as a conduit for scientific innovations by a group of analytical scientists seeking to find better ways to advance the science of chemical analysis. Are you an innovator, an expert, a novice, a scientist? Then GCC is the place for you! Without hesitation, and for many years, I have recommended GCC for the analytical chemist searching for a place to find the latest technology, a place to be able to talk to experts in any analytical field, meet old friends and make new ones. And this year, even with all that has changed, that recommendation hasn’t changed.

GCC is analytical-centric. From the show floor to the hundreds of posters and presentations, everyone has a common goal: to further their education in analytical knowledge. It all starts with two amazing speakers.

Dr. Kevin Shug, Professor at University of Texas – Arlington since 2005, will be speaking about analytical advancements in chromatography on Tuesday. Dr. Shug is the Founder and Director of a K-12 science outreach program: Diversity in Science in the United States (www.discusprogram.com). He is also the institutional founder and steering committee member for CIRTL UTA, an affiliate of the nationwide Center for Integration of Research Teaching and Learning (CIRTL), preparing future faculty programs. Dr. Schug has received many prestigious awards, including the 2009 Emerging Leader in Chromatography award given by LCGC magazine, an NSF CAREER award, the 2009 Eli Lilly and Company ACACC Young Investigator Award in Analytical Chemistry, and the 2013 American Chemical Society Division of Analytical Chemistry Young Investigator in Separation Science Award. Dr. Shug brings vast knowledge of high efficiency separation and mass spectrometry for characterization of chemical compounds. As an innovator and expert, Dr. Shug will bring the essence of GCC to the keynote.

Our Wednesday Keynote Speaker is Mr. Leon De Bryun, President and CEO of Lummus Technology where he is responsible for the strategic direction of the company and leading all aspects of Lummus’ global performance. He also serves on the board of directors of Chevron Lummus Global, a joint venture between Chevron and Lummus. With a heritage spanning more than 110 years and more than 130 technologies and 3,400 patents, Lummus Technology brings together proven, reliable solutions with the best track record for turning R&D into technology. Mr. de Bruyn joined Lummus in 1993. During his career with the company, he has built executive experience in the downstream refining and petrochemicals industry through technology development and licensing, catalyst supply and engineering, procurement, and construction activities. Mr. de Bryun will be speaking about the State of the Affair of the Process Industry with important insight about the future of the industry.

As I am writing this article, I learned that Astronaut Michael Collins died at 90 years old. Many have called him the Forgotten Astronaut, partly because, even though he was part of the Apollo 11 mission to the moon, he did not step on it. Instead, he had the very important mission of holding down the fort (aka command module) and flew the spacecraft solo. As he spent 21.5 hours alone in orbit above his fellow astronauts, Buzz Aldrin and Neil Armstrong, when he was on the dark side of the moon, for 48 minutes at a time, Collins would have absolutely no contact with any other human being in the universe. For many of us in 2020, we may be able to sympathize with this kind of experience-a plunge into an existential crisis. But remember the rest of the mission-the safe return to Earth, or maybe simply the return to in-person conference. This brings to mind that we, human beings, are resilient. We are courageous innovators and achievers. We may have been slowed, forgotten, alone, but we are ready to meet again.

Come and join your fellow innovators at this year, in-person GCC, October 12-13, 2021 at the Moody Gardens in Galveston, TX. visit us online for more information.