Paul Ferguson Named Professor by Special Appointment at the University of Amsterdam

LCGC International Editorial Advisory Board (EAB) member Paul Ferguson has been named a professor by special appointment at the Faculty of Science at the University of Amsterdam, The Netherlands, according to a press release (1). His new position, focused on "Separation of Biomacromolecules with a Special Emphasis on Sustainable Analytical Science," is housed within the Van 't Hoff Institute for Molecular Sciences (HIMS) in Amsterdam, The Netherlands, and is supported by the Bèta Plus foundation. Ferguson, who currently serves as a principal scientist at AstraZeneca, will focus on developing new tools and methods to promote sustainability in the analytical sciences, an area of growing importance in both academic and industrial research settings.

Image Credit: © Paul Ferguson

Analytical testing often consumes large amounts of chemicals, solvents, and energy, and generates significant amounts of waste. Ferguson aims to address these challenges by exploring more efficient, smaller-scale analyses, reducing or eliminating sample preparation steps, and creating new, sustainable analytical tools. These practices could play an important role in minimizing the environmental footprint of laboratory operations.

His chair in Sustainable Analytical Science will advance research in areas such as in-silico modelling, which can reduce the need for experimental testing. He also intends to expand the use of supercritical fluid chromatography (SFC), which is regarded as a more “environmentally friendly” alternative to traditional liquid chromatography (LC). One of the key application areas for these techniques is the analysis of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), which are under increasing scrutiny from EU regulators.

Ferguson told LCGC International: “I was honored to learn of my appointment at the Van 't Hoff Institute for Molecular Sciences (HIMS) at the University of Amsterdam as a Chair by special appointment in March. I’m looking forward to building new bridges between industry and the university, working with the many fantastic scientists at the institute (including LCGC EAB members Bob Pirok and Peter Schoenmakers), and contributing to the university’s ongoing success. The areas encompassed in this position are both topical and pertinent—namely the characterization of biomolecules and sustainable analytics. The separation science in these fields is developing rapidly, with new and novel publications on a near-weekly basis. However, I believe there is much more we can do to ensure the measurements are made using the most optimal approaches, and wherever possible, in a green and sustainable manner.”

Ferguson’s expertise in the pharmaceutical sector will enhance the HIMS Analytical Chemistry research theme and strengthen the University of Amsterdam's collaborative efforts with colleagues at Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, particularly through the CASA (Centre for Analytical Sciences Amsterdam), according to the press release (1).

The press release highlighted that Ferguson’s industry background will enhance the BSc and MSc programs in analytical sciences at the University of Amsterdam by introducing real-world challenges from the pharmaceutical sector and giving students exposure to practical analytical challenges faced during drug discovery and development. His appointment reflects a broader push within the scientific community to integrate sustainability principles into all stages of analytical method design and implementation.

Reference

(1) Paul Ferguson is professor by special appointment of ‘Separation of Biomacromolecules, with an emphasis on Sustainable Analytical Science’; University of Amsterdam website. https://hims.uva.nl/content/news/2025/03/paul-ferguson-is-professor-by-special-appointment-of-separation-of-biomacromolecules-with-an-emphasis-on-sustainable-analytical-science.html (accessed 2025-04-30).