Ronald Majors - 2007 Martin Gold Medal

Ronald E. (Ron) Majors has made a significant impact on the ‘manufacturer’s’ side of separation science in his many years of distinguished service for Varian Associates, EM Science and Agilent Technologies. Ron has been at Hewlett Packard / Agilent Technologies since 1990 and is currently Senior Chemist, Columns and Supplies Division. Prior to his career in the separation science industry he obtained a B.S. (1963) in Chemistry from California State University, Fresno (then known as Fresno State) and his Ph.D. (1968) in Analytical Chemistry working for L.B. Rogers in the area of molecular imprinted phases for chromatography. He has over 250 publications in chromatography, sample preparation, and surface chemistry. He has received several awards from U.S.-based Chromatography Discussion Groups.

In the late ‘60’s and early ‘70’s, as one of the early pioneering researchers in high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), he made several important contributions to HPLC column technology, specifically involving his definitive work on particle size studies, packing methodologies, and chemically bonded phases. He was the first to efficiently pack 5-micron particles into high performance columns and was responsible for the introduction of the first commercial microparticulate column.

He has been highly active in the American Chemical Society’s Sub-Division on Chromatography and Separations Chemistry, on the editorial boards of several analytical magazines, and was Chairman of HPLC 86 (in San Francisco), one of the largest chromatography meetings ever held. He is active in the Delaware Valley Chromatography Forum and the California Separations Society where he serves on both Boards of Directors. Ron is probably best known for his monthly column “Column Watch” and “Sample Preparation Perspectives” for LCGC Magazine. Indeed his role in the promotion of separation science his achievements are unsurpassed. Importantly, his scientific writings for LCGC Magazine have been prolific, of high quality and very relevant to the needs of practicing separation scientists. Further, he has had a longstanding valuable role in the renowned ‘HPLC’ series of international series of symposia, in particular championing young poster presenters.