Shira Joudan, Assistant Professor
Department of Chemistry, University of Alberta
How did you get started in the field of Analytical Chemistry?
In undergrad, I took introductory analytical chemistry and then did summer research in my professor’s lipidomics lab. I spent the summer learning how mass spectrometry and chromatography worked, and realized I loved it! I knew I was still interested in environmental science (what I initially thought I would major in, before switching the chemistry), so later pursued a PhD in environmental chemistry, where I brought the fundamental mass spectrometry and separations skills I had previously gained and applied them to environmental questions. Since then, I have continued to work in both the analytical and environmental research communities, which are very closely connected.
What makes your current position exciting and unique?
In my role leading a research group, my students, postdocs, and I work to understand how chemical contaminants like PFAS, pesticides, and plastic additives are transformed and transported in the environment. I’m always excited by new results (which I now usually hear from my students), and think that understanding environmental reactivity is a really exciting research topic, that is much needed to support chemical regulation and advance green chemistry. In my role teaching undergraduate students quantitative chemical analysis I enjoy teaching students how to make meaningful measurements, and that it is key to any future scientific problem they address, including being confident (or skeptical) about data. In my environmental chemistry course, I hope that students can dispel misinformation because they understand the fundamental chemical processes occurring in the environment. And overall, I am grateful that I get to engage with so many smart colleagues who have a diverse range of expertise — I have learned so much science since I started this job 2.5 years ago!
What advice do you give to young scientists beginning their careers in Analytical Chemistry?
It’s important to specialize, but it’s good to have broad knowledge too. Attending seminars outside of your direct field can give you inspiration for your own research, because something that is standard in another field may be totally novel to yours! Think about a few types of careers you are interested in, and make sure you are building skills towards those careers (for example, I interviewed for my professor position, a government researcher position, and an application scientist position at a mass spec company). And most importantly, find mentors more senior than you, and connect with people at a similar career stage as yourself — community is so important.
What are your interests outside of science?
I enjoy exploring the city’s trails, going to restaurants and concerts, and have also hopped on the bandwagon of cheering on the Oilers (our local NHL hockey team). I’m planning a summer filled with canoeing, some camping trips to the mountains, and visiting friends and family who are sprawled across Canada and the US.
What do you envision for the field of Analytical Chemistry in the future?
I think the field of Analytical Chemistry will continue to move towards big data aquisition using sophisticated instruments. Specifically, in my field of environmental analytical chemistry, the ability to characterize components of complex mixtures, and better yet, to quantify those components effectively, will continue to improve, with faster and more sensitive methods. I hope that the field will also continue to develop lower cost methods to advance equity in measurement science, which is so critical for topics like clean air and drinking water.