2022 Distinguished Alumni Award

2022-04-07

After studying laser spectroscopy with Dor Ben-Amotz and earning a PhD in 1995, Fred LaPlant went on to develop on-line inspection devices for the auto industry, introduce new PAT tools for clinical-stage drugs at Pfizer, and manage a variety of groups in 3M Corporate Analytical. He is currently the Product Development Manager for the Biopharmaceutical Purification business unit at 3M, driving introduction of innovative products for the manufacture of vaccines, monoclonal antibodies, and cell and gene therapy. He has led the development of the 3M Life Sciences Biologics Center to enable accelerated product introductions in this critically important and rapidly growing field.

LaPlant has also been passionate about service to the scientific community. He has served in numerous positions including National President of the Society for Applied Spectroscopy, and has had long association as both a leader and organizer of the Federation of Analytical Chemistry and Spectroscopy Societies (FACSS) and it's associated SciX conference. He proudly serves on the Purdue Chemistry Department Advisory Council, and is the 3M recruiter in Chemistry. He also continues to serve as Scoutmaster to his local BSA troop, and has had the privilege of mentoring 11 Eagle Scouts, so far.

"The science at Purdue is amazing, but I learned that nothing happens without collaboration, without the commitment and support of colleagues you see every day, as well as people whom you may never meet."