Kissinger Symposium

Pete Kissinger became engaged with modern liquid chromatography in the early 1970s following Ph.D. work in electroanalytical chemistry with Prof. Charles N. Reilley. He quickly saw the advantages of combining the two methodologies for applications in neuroscience stimulated by Prof. Ralph N. Adams. Commercial possibilities were immediately clear. Biomedical scientists had measurements to make and they did not wish to build instruments; they wanted to buy them. After an attempt to transfer liquid chromatography/electrochemistry (LCEC) to Waters Associates and Princeton Applied Research (PAR), it became clear that these existing companies were busy enough. One understood chromatography but not electrochemistry; the other understood electrochemistry but not chromatography; and neither had the required passion for this outside idea. Pete remained convinced and followed the “do-it-yourself” approach. Bioanalytical Systems, Inc. (BASi) was thus born in 1974, at a time when academic engagement in such activities was discouraged rather than stimulated as it is today. BASi evolved into a life science research company with five laboratory locations and a team that will soon pass 400 talented people. Purdue is using the excuse of Pete’s 60th year to organize this symposium, aimed at celebrating his contributions to the university, and to analytical chemistry and biomedical research and development. The symposium features scientific talks that recount advances in bioanalytical chemistry, unmet needs in bioanalytical chemistry (particularly as they relate to the pharmaceutical industry) and best practices at the academic/commercial interface, as well as a roundtable discussion. There will be a good mix of industrial and academic scientists to discuss science at their interface.