Chemist Igor Lednev Presented with Charles Mann Award for Applied Raman Spectroscopy
ALBANY, N.Y. (Nov. 3, 2022) — The Federation of Analytical Chemistry and Spectroscopy Societies (FACSS) recently presented University at Albany chemist Igor Lednev with the 2022 Charles Mann Award for his advancements in the field of applied Raman spectroscopy.
The award was instituted by FACSS in 2002 following the untimely death of Professor Charles (Charlie) Mann. Professor Mann and his faculty colleague at Florida State, professor Tom Vickers, contributed significantly to the development of analytical Raman spectroscopy.
Lednev, a Distinguished Professor in the Department of Chemistry, received the award during a national conference hosted by FACSS in October.
Three of his PhD students were also recognized: Alexis Weber received the FACSS Graduate Student Award and the SAS Barbra Stull Graduate Student Award; Lamyaa Almehmadi received the 2022 Coblentz Student Award; and Anna Wójtowicz also received the FACSS Graduate Student Award.
“I am delighted this year’s award is going to Professor Igor Lednev,” said Charles Mann Award Committee Chair Pavel Matousek. “Igor has pioneered numerous areas of Raman spectroscopy including the field of forensic Raman, not only academically but also through practical implementation as evidenced by his close engagement with state crime laboratories and rich commercial translational activities.
“This is a well-deserved recognition and I wholeheartedly congratulate Igor for this achievement and look forward to the next exciting science emerging from his laboratories.”
Laser-Focused
Lednev’s research is focused on the use of novel laser spectroscopy for forensic purposes, medical diagnostics and fundamental biochemistry. His accomplishments include the development of new and innovative approaches for the identification and characterization of biological stains, gunshot residue, hair and other trace evidence recovered at a crime scene, and a noninvasive, early diagnostics of neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s.
The Lednev Lab developed the first universal method for the identification of body fluid traces, resulting in the creation of a new subfield of analytical vibrational spectroscopy of body fluids. He is now collaborating with Ray Wickenheiser, director of the New York State Police Crime Lab System, along with other practitioners in the field, to turn his novel technology into a usable product for law enforcement agencies and forensic crime labs. His startup company SupreMEtric LLC commercializes the technology.
Additionally, Lednev developed a noninvasive screening test for Alzheimer’s disease based on blood and saliva analysis. It is commercialized through the University spinoff Early Alzheimer’s Diagnostics LLC.
The National Institute of Justice (NIJ) has supported Lednev’s forensic science research for more than a decade, investing more than $3.2 million. In total, he has co-authored more than 250 publications in peer-reviewed journals, received eight U.S. patents and generated more than $6 million in federal funding for his research.
Together with the NIJ, he launched a new forensic science symposium at Pittcon (the world’s largest analytical chemistry conference) in 2018. The symposium has since become a regular annual event. He also previously served as an advisory member on the White House Subcommittee for Forensic Science.
Along with his position in the Department of Chemistry, Lednev is also an adjunct professor in the Department of Biological Sciences and a faculty member of The RNA Institute.