Dr. James M. Harnly
Research Leader
Supervisory Research Chemist

Provides leadership to the Laboratory. Develops chromatographic profiling methods for the phenolic compounds in plant materials. Develops spectral fingerprinting and chromatographic profiling methods for characterization of food materials. Applies pattern recognition methods to identification of cultivar, growing site, growing and processing conditions, and chemical variance.

Complete List of Publications

Dr. Wm. Craig Byrdwell
Research Chemist

Develops methods for separation and identification of vitamin D, lipids and lipid-related molecules using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) coupled with mass spectrometry (MS). Expertise in atmospheric pressure chemical ionization (APCI) and electrospray ionization (ESI) mass spectrometry for triacylglycerol and sphingolipid analysis. Developed 'dual parallel mass spectrometry' methods in which both APCI-MS and ESI-MS data are acquired simultaneously, in parallel. The current focus is on Vitamin D analysis to provide updated data for the National Nutrient Database.

Complete List of Publications

Dr. Pei Chen
Research Chemist

Performs analytical method development using mass spectrometry, HPLC, and GC. Current focuses are 1. Determination and quantitation of water-soluble vitamins using isotope dilution LC/MS, 2. Determination and quantitation of phytonutrients in food supplements using LC/MS and/or LC/MS/MS.

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Dr. Devanand L. Luthria
Research Chemist

Designs and develops analytical procedures for analysis of bioactive nutrients in fruits, vegetables, grains and other foods. Four focus areas of the current research are: 1. To evaluate the impact of sample preparation and extraction procedures on assays of bioactive compounds, 2. Chemical investigation of foods for isolation, characterization and analysis of bioactive components, 3. Separation and quantification of phenolic compounds in common foods by different spectroscopic and chromatographic procedures to generate data for the National Nutrient Databank, and 4. Development of rapid high-throughput pattern recognition procedures for screening a variety of foods.

Complete List of Publications

Dr. Wayne R. Wolf
Research Chemist

Develops high-precision analytical methodologies based on isotope dilution mass spectrometry for the determination of food components, such as selenomethionine and water soluble vitamins. Develops new methodologies for the HPLC determination of water-soluble vitamins and the GC/PFPD determination of selenium species in foods. Works with the National Institute of Standards and Technology, AOAC International and other organizations to facilitate the availability and use of food-related standard materials.

Complete List of Publications