Best of the Week: Coverage of Pittcon 2026

Pittcon 2026 has come to an end, but our coverage of this conference continues. One of the hot topics from this conference was generative artificial intelligence (AI) and how it might impact the daily practice of analytical chemistry. We’ll recap a symposium dedicated to this topic here. Also, I sat down with Lenka Halamkova of Texas Tech University, Igor Lednev of the University at Albany, and Naihao Chiang of the University of Houston at Pittcon to get not only their thoughts on the conference, but to also ask them about their current research. We present clips from those conversations here. And finally, are spectroscopy and sustainability a suitable match? I say yes, but do the experts agree with me? You’ll find out the answer to that question here.

This is the Best of the Week.

How Are Raman Spectroscopy and Machine Learning Advancing Forensic and Biomedical Applications?

At Pittcon 2026 in San Antonio, Igor Lednev, Distinguished Professor at the University at Albany, State University of New York, received the Pittsburgh Spectroscopy Award for his contributions to laser spectroscopy in forensic medical diagnostics. In the interview, Lednev reflects on receiving the honor and discusses how Raman spectroscopy combined with machine learning can support forensic and biomedical investigations, the focus of his Pittcon award lecture.¹

Capturing Chemical Signatures of Fentanyl in Fingernails

At Pittcon 2026 in San Antonio, Lenka Halámková of Texas Tech University discussed her research on detecting fentanyl using multimodal spectroscopic techniques. In the interview, she describes combining Raman spectroscopy and attenuated total reflectance Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (ATR-FTIR) with machine learning (ML) to identify fentanyl traces in human nails.² Halámková also explains how ATR-FTIR detects chemical signatures within the nail’s keratin matrix, highlighting how spectroscopy and data analysis are advancing forensic drug detection methods.²

Recapping Pittcon 2026

At Pittcon 2026, which was held at the Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center, attendees gathered for five days of scientific sessions and networking. In this interview, Naihao Chiang of the University of Houston reflects on the conference experience and the significance of hosting Pittcon in San Antonio for the first time. Chiang shares his impressions of the venue, the technical programming, and how the new location contributed to the overall atmosphere of the meeting.³

Pittcon 2026 Conference Report: Generative AI Enters the Analytical Chemist’s Toolbox

At Pittcon 2026 in San Antonio, the James L. Waters Symposium examined how generative artificial intelligence could reshape analytical chemistry. Chaired by Daniel W. Armstrong, the session featured talks by Omar Yaghi, M. Farooq Wahab, Rasmus Bro, and Jerome Workman. Presentations explored AI-driven materials discovery, algorithm development, and applications in spectral and chromatographic data analysis.⁴ Speakers emphasized that generative AI can accelerate tasks such as signal processing, literature synthesis, and chemometric modeling.⁴ However, they stressed the importance of validation, high-quality data sets, and integration with established chemometric principles to ensure AI enhances, rather than replaces, human expertise in laboratory workflows.

Pittcon Report: Spectroscopy and Sustainability: A Perfect Match

At Pittcon 2026 in San Antonio, the session “Spectroscopy and Sustainability: A Perfect Match,” chaired by John Wasylyk and sponsored by the Society for Applied Spectroscopy, highlighted how spectroscopic technologies support sustainable scientific practices. Presentations showed how techniques such as near-infrared (NIR) spectroscopy, Raman spectroscopy, and advanced imaging methods enable faster, non-destructive analysis with reduced reagent use and waste.⁵ Speakers discussed applications in pharmaceutical manufacturing, biomedical diagnostics, chemical synthesis, and field detection.⁵ Across these examples, spectroscopy’s ability to provide rapid, information-rich measurements demonstrated its growing role in improving efficiency while advancing environmental sustainability in laboratories and industry.⁵

References

1. Lednev, I.; Wetzel, W. How Are Raman Spectroscopy and Machine Learning Advancing Forensic and Biomedical Applications? Spectroscopy. Available at: https://www.spectroscopyonline.com/view/how-are-raman-spectroscopy-and-machine-learning-advancing-forensic-and-biomedical-applications- (accessed 2026-03-12)
2. Halamkova, L.; Wetzel, W. Capturing Chemical Signatures of Fentanyl in Fingernails. Spectroscopy. Available at: https://www.spectroscopyonline.com/view/capturing-chemical-signatures-of-fentanyl-in-fingernails (accessed 2026-03-12).
3. Chiang, N.; Wetzel, W. Recapping Pittcon 2026. Spectroscopy. Available at: https://www.spectroscopyonline.com/view/recapping-pittcon-2026 (accessed 2026-03-12).
4. Workman, Jr., J. Pittcon 2026 Conference Report: Generative AI Enters the Analytical Chemist’s Toolbox. Spectroscopy. Available at: https://www.spectroscopyonline.com/view/pittcon-2026-conference-report-generative-ai-enters-the-analytical-chemist-s-toolbox (accessed 2026-03-12).
5. Workman, Jr., J. Pittcon Report: Spectroscopy and Sustainability: A Perfect Match. Spectroscopy. Available at: https://www.spectroscopyonline.com/view/pittcon-report-spectroscopy-and-sustainability-a-perfect-match (accessed 2026-03-12).