CHEM420 class visits AB Sciex
AB Sciex’s Centre of Excellence in Concord, ON.
An educational field trip to AB Sciex in Concord (north Toronto) was organized on March 13, 2014 as part of CHEM420. The class led by Dr. Richard Smith from the Chemistry Department, was hosted by Dr Patick Pribil, Dr. Tom Covey, Dr. Evelyn McClure, Dr. Matt Noestheden, and Tom Moy, a group of scientists from ABSciex. ‘it was a very challenging drive’ says Richard ‘as this was the day after the last big snow storm of the winter and made for a more exciting day than we had expected. In the end, everything worked out well and the visit was enjoyed by everybody’.
CHEM420 is a mass spectrometry course offered for 3rd and 4th year students in Science. This course provides students with an up-to date review of the theory, concepts, technology and applications of mass spectrometry. Aiming to provide students with first-hand experience related to the topics and concepts discussed in class, a half day workshop discussing real world applications and new techniques was presented by AB Sciex scientists. As a powerful technique, mass spectrometry is widely applied in various areas, from ensuring food safety, better understanding disease, restoring the Florida Everglades to better understanding disease.
After lunch, the sales and marketing department discussed and explored career opportunities with students in the mass spectrometry industry. ‘Students with mass spectrometry knowledge and background are highly sought after in industry,’ Tom Moy a UW Co-op Chemistry graduate (1978) says. ‘As one of the world’s leading manufacturers of mass spectrometry systems, AB Sciex supports thousands of scientists worldwide who are focused on basic research, drug discovery, food and environmental testing, forensics and clinical research, and is constantly seeking qualified candidates to join the company’. AB Sciex and UW Chemistry have always enjoyed a close relationship with many graduates finding employment with AB Sciex.
At the end of the day, a tour of the state-of-the-art R&D facilities was led by Dr. Pribil, the manager of the application team. Students were shown how the instruments are designed, developed and tested.
This field trip significantly increased CHEM420 student’s factual knowledge and enhanced their conceptual understanding. Through this unique learning experience, students were exposed to how mass spectrometry is used in the real world.
R&D facilities at AB Sciex.