Speaker: Dr. Emanuela Gionfriddo, University of Toledo

Host: Dr. Anderson

The separation of small molecules from complex samples often poses the ultimate challenge to any analytical method development process, whether for targeted or non-targeted analysis. Moreover, trends in the development of new microseparation techniques for extraction of small molecules have recently shifted toward greener and faster approaches, guaranteeing sustainability and high throughput of the extraction process. Solid Phase Microextraction (SPME) complies with all the features above and provides simultaneous extraction/enrichment of the targeted analytes.

This seminar will discuss new microextraction methodologies to probe the chemical composition of environmental and biological samples, and to assess the partition of small molecules in heterogeneous systems. Various classes of environmental contaminants, namely PFAS, pesticides and pharmaceuticals were targeted in our work, and specialized extraction technologies were developed to guarantee their selective extraction and preconcentration from complex samples prior to analysis by gas-, liquid-chromatography and direct introduction to mass spectrometry. These methods become critical to assessing pollutants' environmental mobility and routes of exposure for living systems.

The use of biocompatible extraction phases and alternative SPME geometries will be also discussed to address specific analytical needs and guarantee minimal disturbance of partition equilibria during the extraction process.

Speaker's Bio:

Dr. Emanuela Gionfriddo is an Assistant Professor of Chemistry at the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry of The University of Toledo (OH, USA). Research work in Dr. Gionfriddo’s lab focuses on developing advanced analytical separation tools for the analysis of complex biological and environmental samples using green extraction methodologies. She received her Ph.D. in Analytical Chemistry (2013) at the University of Calabria (Italy). She joined Prof. Pawliszyn’s group at the University of Waterloo (Ontario, Canada) in 2014 as a Post-Doctoral Fellow and manager of the Gas-Chromatography section of the Industrially Focused Analytical Research Laboratory (InFAReL), and within three years, became a Research Associate. Dr. Gionfriddo has authored over 50 peer-reviewed contributions including a patent on PTFE-based SPME coatings. Dr. Gionfriddo is one of the founding members of the Dr. Nina McClelland Laboratory for Water Chemistry and Environmental Analysis at The University of Toledo and she is appointed to the Ohio Attorney General Yost’s Environmental Council of Advisors.

Dr. Gionfriddo is the recipient of the 2023 LCGC Emerging Leader in Chromatography Award, the 2023 Eastern Analytical Symposium Young Investigator Award and 2022 ACS Analytical Division Satinder Ahuja Award for Young Investigators in Separation Science. She also serves as the Secretary of the ACS Analytical Chemistry Subdivision on Chromatography and Separation Chemistry. Her research program is currently funded by the National Science Foundation through the 2022 CAREER Award, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, and several industrial partnerships.