Saying Goodbye to LCGC International

When I joined LCGC International in 2023, I experienced something many people—especially women—face at some point in their careers: imposter syndrome, that persistent feeling that you don’t truly belong or aren’t as capable as others believe you to be.

I had good reason to be nervous. I was stepping into a leadership role for two analytical chemistry brands, LCGC International and its sister publication Spectroscopy, at a time when the field was still finding its footing post-pandemic. COVID-19 had reshaped how industry and academia operated, leaving lasting uncertainty in its wake.

Despite my years covering pharma and healthcare—and my long-standing passion for science reporting—I couldn’t help but question myself. Could I create content that would truly resonate with separation science professionals? Could I rise to the challenge of leading during a time of such profound change for the industry?

Over the course of my career, I’ve covered a wide range of fields. The chromatography community, however, stands out as one of the most niche—and yet one of the most underappreciated—audiences I’ve had the privilege to serve. High-performance chromatography (HPLC), for example, is often called the workhorse of the lab, yet most people outside the field wouldn’t recognize the term.

In November, I attended the Eastern Analytical Symposium (EAS), where Katelynn Perrault Uptmor, assistant professor of chemistry at William & Mary, delivered a captivating address as part of her EAS Young Investigator Award. She challenged the audience with an idea that has stayed with me: could analytical chemists be better science communicators?

Publications like LCGC play a vital role in communicating the importance of chromatography. Our work matters not only for the scientists we serve, who rely on accurate and timely information, but also for the public. For broader support and appreciation of the field, people need to be able to understand the significance of separation science and the impact it has on everyday life.

LCGC, much like the analytical science community, has undergone significant change over the years. Shortly after I joined, we unified LCGC Europe, North America, and Asia under a single global brand. In 2024, we relaunched The Column as an interactive digital edition, showcasing the latest trends and critical developments in separation science to support the growth and development of careers in the field.

The media industry itself is also undergoing profound change. New tools like artificial intelligence (AI) are already transforming the field, bringing both opportunities and challenges, threatening jobs, and poised to reshape the industry as we know it.

Change can be intimidating. But one lesson I’ve learned is that it is often during times of greatest change that the greatest opportunities emerge.

Looking back, I realize now that I had nothing to fear when I accepted this role. I have learned so much from this community. I’ve learned what it means to commit yourself fully to science. I’ve learned the importance of mentorship and education, and the risks we face when industry and government fail to recognize the value of rigorous, well-supported scientific work.

I hope the chromatography community and the editors of LCGC continue to support one another, championing the publication not only as an outstanding source of information but also as a vital voice for the field. I have immense respect for the passion, curiosity, and dedication that define this community, and I am deeply grateful that I took the leap to change my own career and embrace a field I once knew very little about.

To everyone I’ve had the pleasure of meeting during my time at LCGC, I hope this isn’t a goodbye but simply the next chapter in our connection. I’ll continue cheering on the LCGC International editorial team from the sidelines—as a reader, a colleague, and a friend.

Lastly, thank you to everyone—readers, Editorial Board members, contributors, columnists, editors, and so many others—for all you’ve done for me personally, for this publication, and for the field of separation science. If you’d like to stay in touch, you can connect with me on LinkedIn.

Signing off for the last time,

Caroline Hroncich
Associate Editorial Director
LCGC International