ASSISTANT PROFESSOR

Dr. Bob Pirok

E-MAIL: Bob.Pirok@uva.nl

Chemometrics & Advanced Separations

PIROK RESEARCH GROUP

The Pirok research group focuses on the development of separation methods for complex-sample characterization. The group has an extensive history collaborating with academic, societal and industrial organizations to advance separation science.

We are known for our work on two-dimensional chromatography with a particular specialization in the combination of different (incompatible) chromatographic separations. To achieve this, we develop modulation interfaces using a combination of physical and chemical manipulations of the analyte matrix. For some of our work, we have developed reactors that allow the sample analytes to be transformed in-line to maximise compatibility and orthogonality.

Another important research line is determined by our conviction that advanced separation technology must become more accessible to society. We believe that the scientific community must adjust its pace in developing even-more powerful separation systems, and focus on allowing analysts use existing technology optimally. We develop computational methods that are powered by fundamental chromatographic concepts, to automate and simplify method development and optimization. This research line requires chemometrics to distill the best possible information from our data.

It is our vision that societal prosperity, as reflected for example in the UN sustainable development goals, requires pervasively available high-quality analytical technology. Our mission to develop accessible, yet powerful separation methods, to contribute to making this vision a reality.

All our research efforts are closely related to our teaching activities. We are proud to contribute to the excellent Amsterdam MSc program on analytical sciences, we are proud that most of our publications and presentations feature students as co-authors, and we most proud of our numerous alumni who have embarked on great careers in industry and society.

Research Lines

Automated Method Development

Improving the accessibility of advanced separation technology using algorithms that automatically develop and optimize analytical methods.

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Automated Method Development

Combining physicochemical theoretical concepts with innovations in chemometrics and computer science to allow every analyst to use state-of-the-art analytical separation technology to its full potential.

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2D-LCModulation Strategies

Constructing interfaces to couple analytical techniques to simultaneously measure multiple properties and their correlation.

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Modulation Strategies for 2D-LC

Most analytical methods only measure one chemical property. The ability to determine multiple simultaneously requires special interfaces to be build to couple vastly different analytical techniques together.

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Computational Polymer Analytics

Developing optimized analytical hyphenated systems to characterize polymers with chemometric data-analysis strategies.

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Computational Polymer Analytics

Analyzing intact or fragmented polymers, is challenging due to the intricate nature of distributions. This requires integrating high-resolution separations with algorithms that extract chemical information from data. 

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Group Members

Related News Articles

Projects & Partners

About Bob Pirok

Bob Pirok obtained his PhD in 2019 in Amsterdam, defending two books of research, with the distinction cum laude and worked before at Shell. He is currently assistant professor at the University of Amsterdam and focuses on the application of chemometrics to analytical chemistry with a special interest in method development and data analysis for multi-dimensional chromatography. Other areas of interest include retention modeling and (reaction) modulation techniques for LC×LC.

Pirok is visiting research professor at Gustavus Adolphus College in the group of Prof. Dwight R. Stoll.

He received several international recognitions, including a Shimadzu Young-Scientist Award at HPLC2015 Beijing, the Young-Scientist-Award Lecture during the SCM-8 meeting in Amsterdam in 2017, the Csaba Horváth Young-Scientist Award at HPLC2017 Prague, the Journal of Chromatography Award during the ISCC Conference in Riva de Garda in 2018, and the SCM Award at the SCM-9 meeting in Amsterdam in 2019.

Pirok is the writer of the recently granted 1.2M€ NWO ENW-PPS TA PARADISE proposal coordinated by PI Prof. Arian van Asten. He was selected as Early Career Board member for the ACS journal Analytical Chemistry starting from 2021. In 2022, he was awarded the 280k€ NWO-TTW VENI personal research grant for his proposal entitled Unleashing Separation Technology to Achieve Innovation in Research and Society (UPSTAIRS). He was also awarded the 1M€ NWO KIC grant together with PI Prof. Govert Somsen, Prof. Anouk Rijs and Dr. Andrea Gargano. Pirok also is Editorial Advisory Board member for LC-GC International and Journal of Separation Science.

He was featured in the 2021 and 2022 edition of the Power List by the Analytical Scientist. The Power List presents the 100 world’s most influential analytical scientists as an inspiration to their fellows. Pirok is member of the European Chemistry Thematic Network.

MANIAC Bob Pirok
PhD dissertation Bob Pirok can be downloaded here.