Hosted by Samara University, the All-Russian Conference "Theory and Practice of Chromatography: Training the Next Generation of Scientists" was held with international participation. The event was organized with the support of the Ministry of Science and Higher Education of the Russian Federation, the Ministry of Science and Higher Education of the Samara Region, and the Joint Commission on Chromatography of the Scientific Councils for Analytical and Physical Chemistry.
The primary goal of the conference was to address current challenges in analytical and physical chemistry, chromatography, and mass spectrometry, while fostering the exchange of cutting-edge research experience among students, young scientists, and industry specialists.
During plenary and sectional sessions, participants engaged in in-depth discussions on a wide range of critical topics, including:
- Analytical and preparative chromatography of natural and anthropogenic objects;
- Novel sorbents for separation and concentration, and advanced sample preparation techniques;
- The role of chromatography in climate research;
- Chromatography-mass spectrometry and the physicochemical foundations of the chromatographic process;
- Electrokinetic chromatography;
- Modern trends in chromatographic instrumentation;
- Automation, metrology, and chemometrics;
- Microfluidics and nanotechnology in chromatography;
- Strategies for personnel training and education in chromatography.
Broad Geographic Reach and Youth Engagement
The conference attracted a wide geographic representation, spanning from Arkhangelsk to Novosibirsk. Participants came from over 10 Russian cities, including Moscow, St. Petersburg, Voronezh, Ufa, Ulyanovsk, Dimitrovgrad, Belgorod, Perm, Yelets, and Yekaterinburg.
A total of 136 attendees participated, comprising master's and PhD students, young researchers, professors, heads of scientific organizations, and faculty members from Russian and international universities. The scientific program featured 11 plenary, 50 oral, and over 40 poster presentations. Notably, approximately 70% of the oral and poster presentations were delivered by young scientists, PhD candidates, master's students, and undergraduates. The Organizing Committee highly commended the exceptional quality, rigor, and practical significance of these contributions.
A Program of Scientific Excellence
The conference was officially opened by Vladimir Bogatyrev, Rector of Samara University, who emphasized the critical importance of training highly qualified personnel for enterprises across the Russian Federation, and particularly within the Samara Region.
The first day featured plenary presentations by Professor A. K. Buryak, Leading Researcher A. Yu. Kanateva from the A. V. Topchiev Institute of Petrochemical Synthesis of the Russian Academy of Sciences, and Professor A. V. Bulanov, whose report was dedicated to the 45th anniversary of the Samara Scientific and Pedagogical School of Chromatography. Sessions focused on personnel training included presentations by Professors I. G. Zenkevich, V. Yu. Guskov, I. I. Zanozina, and Associate Professor E. A. Novikova.
The second day was dedicated to a poster session chaired by Professor S. V. Kurbatova. A special plenary report in memory of the late Professor L. N. Moskvin was delivered by Professor O. V. Rodinkov, focusing on the "Discovery of Liquid-Gas Chromatography and Chromato-Membrane Mass Transfer Processes and Their Practical Applications." Plenary presentations were also given by Professors I. G. Zenkevich, V. Yu. Guskov, and I. A. Platonov. Concurrent sectional meetings covered analytical and preparative chromatography, novel sorbents, sample preparation, and the application of microfluidics and nanotechnology in chromatography.
On the third day, a plenary report in memory of the late Professor G. E. Baram was presented by Alexander Volkov, CEO of JSC "EcoNova." Additional plenary sessions were led by Professor A. S. Gubin, Associate Professor D. S. Kosyakov, and Associate Professor V. I. Platonov. All plenary presentations were distinguished by their exceptional level of preparation and professional expertise.
Industry Partnership and Future Resolutions
The conference was sponsored by leading chromatographic equipment companies, including LLC "GreenVane" (St. Petersburg) and LLC "TsvetKhrom" (Dzerzhinsk). Representatives from these organizations provided promotional materials and delivered oral presentations outlining their corporate activities and innovations. Furthermore, representatives from numerous companies specializing in the technical outfitting of chromatographic equipment were in attendance. Presenters highlighted the timeliness of the conference, noting its vital role in upskilling personnel and broadening professional perspectives on equipment operation.
Following the conclusion of the event, a closing discussion resulted in several key resolutions:
- It was recommended that plenary and oral presentations be published in the peer-reviewed journal Sorption and Chromatographic Processes.
- Participants emphasized the practical value of such conferences for Russian enterprises and underscored the urgent need for specialized chromatography training programs at Russian universities.
- A proposal was made to establish a specialized dissertation council for the defense of PhD and Doctoral theses in "Chromatography and Chromatographic Instruments," based at leading universities in Samara and Voronezh.
- It was strongly recommended to host this conference at Samara University on a regular basis, every 3 to 5 years.
Beyond Science: A Cultural Experience
Participants highly praised the exceptional organization and preparation of the conference. Beyond the opportunity to network and present their research, attendees enjoyed a rich cultural program. This included a captivating concert of bard music performed by the legendary Grushinsky Trio, an introduction to the rich culture and traditions of the city of Samara, and an unforgettable boat tour along the majestic Volga River, the lifeblood of a region that is home to more than half of Russia's population.
