Meeting the Panelists

In the opening episode of this LCGC International Peer Exchange®, moderator Bryan Vining sets the scene for a wide-ranging discussion on one of analytical chemistry's most pressing challenges: the detection and quantification of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in environmental samples. Vining, Technical Director for Ultratrace Services at Onterris Laboratories, brings 26 years of laboratory industry experience to his role as moderator.

He is joined by two leading voices in the field. David Megson, Reader in Chemistry and Environmental Forensics at Manchester Metropolitan University, works at the intersection of environmental monitoring and forensic investigation — tracking PFAS and other persistent pollutants through complex environmental systems to identify sources and apportion responsibility for contamination. Pasquale Avino, Associate Professor in Analytical and Environmental Chemistry at the University of Molise, brings a broad cross-disciplinary perspective, with research spanning atmospheric chemistry, microplastics, aerosols, and emerging contaminants including PFAS.

Together, the three panelists represent a range of geographical perspectives, reflecting the global nature of PFAS contamination and the international scientific community working to address it. Vining notes that this cross-continental dimension is itself valuable, given how regulatory frameworks, analytical priorities, and research directions can differ significantly across jurisdictions.

The stage is set for an enlightening series of conversations on the methods, limitations, and future directions shaping environmental PFAS analysis.