27 Young US Scientists to Attend Lindau Novel Laureate Meetings in Lindau, Germany

Caitlin Cain, one of LCGC International’s 2024 Rising Stars of Separation Science, was among 27 young scientists selected for the Lindau Novel Laureate Meeting, which brings together young scientists from around the world in Lindau, Germany to exchange knowledge with approximately 30–40 Nobel Laureates (1).

Caitlin Cain | Image Credit: © Caitlin Cain

This summer this group of young researchers from across the U.S. will attend the Lindau Nobel Laureate Meetings, where they’ll engage with Nobel Prize winners, discuss their research, and gain insights from some of the world’s most accomplished minds. The goal of the Lindau Nobel Laureate Meetings is to foster meaningful connections between Nobel Prize winners and young scholars, with the aim of inspiring the next generation of groundbreaking scientific researchers.

Cain, who is a post-doctoral research fellow at the of the University of Michigan, received a Rising Stars of Separation Science Award during the 34^th International Symposium on Chromatography in 2024 for her work in developing innovative non-targeted data analysis techniques to enhance analyte discovery for both gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) and comprehensive two-dimensional gas chromatography-MS (GC×GC-MS) platforms. Her doctoral research centered on developing innovative non-targeted data analysis techniques to enhance analyte discovery for both gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) and comprehensive two-dimensional gas chromatography-MS (GC×GC-MS) platforms. The LCGC International Rising Star Awards celebrate exceptional achievements in separation science by early career researchers, fostering the next generation of innovators in different fields (2). Cain was chosen by an independent panel of experts in gas chromatography, chaired by John Langley from the University of Southampton.

“A lot of my research has been trying to focus on… improving [data analysis] and being able to try to improve it in an efficient and automated manner,” said Cain about her research (3). “Specifically, I work on trying to expand tile-based software for both 1D and 2D-GC.” According to Cain, tile-based software primarily aims to sub-divide chromatograms into tiles that can then have chemometric and data analyses conducted on them.

In late April, a precursor meeting was held at Texas A&M University for the 27 young scientists selected to attend the Lindau Nobel Laureate Meetings. Designed as preparation for the international event, the gathering gave scholars an opportunity to begin refining their research questions for discussion with Nobel Laureates. The spring meeting was a joint initiative of the university’s Office of the Provost, Graduate and Professional School, Division of Research, Office for Faculty Affairs, and the Hagler Institute for Advanced Study.

Texas A&M is one of the Lindau Nobel Laureate Foundation’s key U.S. academic collaborators. As part of their agreement, the university, alongside co-sponsors Nestlé Purina Petcare and Nutramax Laboratories Veterinary Sciences, help facilitate the selection of the Lindau scholars and their travel to Germany. Additionally, the university coordinates a preparatory workshop for the group in College Station, while hosting a partner breakfast panel discussion at the Lindau Meetings on the role of chemistry in creating a circular economy.

“Our university is a place where innovation is welcomed, encouraged and supported,” said Jörg Steiner, regents professor and University Distinguished Professor of Veterinary Medicine and faculty liaison for the Office of the Vice President for Research. “Once these scholars spend two days here and five days in Lindau, they will be inspired to conduct the kind of research that wins Nobel Prizes, and they’ll know they can do that research at Texas A&M.”

Other scholars attending the meeting include Texas A&M chemistry doctoral student Samya Samanta. Samanta’s research focuses on carbon-nitrogen coupling for sustainability and waste management in widely used synthetic processes.

“Bringing such bright scholars to Texas A&M will promote the rich research culture we have here, and I think all of us who attend Lindau will remember it with gratitude and forever look for ways to give back to the institution that made it possible,” Samanta said.

References

(1) About the Lindau Meetings. Lindau Nobel Laureate Meetings 2025. https://www.lindau-nobel.org/about-the-meetings/ (accessed 2025-6-12)

(2) Hroncich, C. University of Michigan Scientist Wins Award for Accomplishments in Gas Chromatography. LCGC International 2024. https://www.chromatographyonline.com/view/university-of-michigan-scientist-wins-award-for-accomplishments-in-gas-chromatography (accessed 2025-6-12)

(3) Matheson, A. ISC 2024: An Interview with Caitlin Cain. LCGC International 2024. https://www.chromatographyonline.com/view/isc-2024-an-interview-with-caitlin-cain (accessed 2025-6-12)

(4) Dixon, R. Texas A&M Hosts Young Scientists From Around The US Selected To Attend 2025 Lindau Nobel Laureate Meetings. Texas A&M University 2025.https://stories.tamu.edu/news/2025/05/28/texas-am-hosts-young-scientists-from-around-the-us-selected-to-attend-2025-lindau-nobel-laureate-meetings/ (accessed 2025-6-12)