David S. Hage on the Future of Affinity Chromatography and Complex Sample Analysis

David S. Hage, James Hewett University Professor at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln, will be recognized at the 2025 Eastern Analytical Symposium (EAS) with the Award for Outstanding Achievement in Separation Science.

In recognition of his pioneering contributions to affinity-based separations and their applications in biomedical and environmental analysis, he sat down with LCGC International to discuss the current state of affinity chromatography and the next generation of methods addressing complex sample challenges.

Hage's work centers on the development and optimization of affinity chromatography, capillary electrophoresis, and hybrid platforms aimed at deciphering complex matrices relevant to biomedicine and environmental science. His group pursues four interlocking research thrusts:

• Chromatographic immunoassays that combine high specificity with conventional separations,
• Biological interaction studies via affinity separation to quantify binding kinetics or stoichiometry,
• Innovative supports and immobilization schemes to expand robustness and selectivity, and
• Miniaturized separation systems for applications in personalized medicine and rapid environmental analysis.

To date, Hage has authored over 350 peer‑reviewed papers, reviews, and book chapters, including the definitive Handbook of Affinity Chromatography. He currently serves as Editor‑in‑Chief of the Journal of Chromatography B, is a Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science, and is a member of the National Academy of Clinical Biochemistry.

His contributions have been recognized with major awards such as the ACS Chromatography Award, the ISMR/Pierce Award in Affinity Technology, the Eastern Analytical Symposium Award for Separation Science, and the AACC Young Investigator Award, as well as institutional honors like the Nebraska Outstanding Research and Creative Activity Award.

An advocate for education and mentorship, Hage is lead author of the textbook Analytical Chemistry and Quantitative Analysis and has contributed to numerous reference texts in analytical chemistry. His teaching excellence has been honored with awards including the College Distinguished Teaching Award, the Excellence in Graduate Education Award, and the Lily Sands Legacy Award. More broadly, he has received the International Federation of Clinical Chemistry Award for Distinguished Contributions to Education and the AACC Award for Outstanding Contributions to Education.