prof. dr. Govert Somsen

Full Professor, Faculty of Science, Chemistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences

Full Professor, AIMMS

Personal information

Govert Somsen is full professor of Biomolecular Analysis/Analytical Chemistry at Vrije Universteit (VU) Amsterdam since 2013. He obtained his doctorate in Analytical Chemistry and Applied Spectroscopy at VU in 1997, and subsequently was assistant and associate professor at the University of Groningen (1996-2001) and at Utrecht University (2001-2012).

Research

Somsen's main expertise and current research interests are on hyphenated concepts in separation science directed to the characterization of (bio)polymers and complex mixtures, with emphasis on revealing molecuar heterogeneity. His group made significant contributions to the development, optimization and application of coupled analytical techniques combining selective liquid-phase separations with mass spectrometry, optical spectroscopy and bioactivity assays. He is (co-)author of over 230 papers in these fields and has an H index of 43 (Dec 2023). He is editor of Journal of Chromatography B and has (co-)organized a number of international symposia in the field of analytical separations. He is co-founder of the Center of Analytical Sciences Amsterdam (CASA), the Dutch focal point for excellence in analytical research and education.

Education

2015   Personal leadership, VU Amsterdam
2012   Academic leadership, Utrecht University
2004   Senior qualification research, Utrecht University
2003   Basic qualification teaching, Utrecht University
2000   Time management for researchers, University of Groningen
1997   Doctorate, VU Amsterdam; promotores: prof U.A.Th. Brinkman and prof N.H. Velthorst
Thesis: Solvent-elimination-based coupling of column liquid chromatography and vibrational-spectroscopic detection techniques
1989   Chemistry (MSc), VU Amsterdam; major: Analytical Chemistry and Applied Spectroscopy; minor: Environmental Chemistry
1986   Chemistry teaching qualification (first degree), VU Amsterdam
1984   Chemistry (BSc), VU Amsterdam

Teaching

Current courses:

Molecular Analysis (BSc Chemistry).
Moleculatr Analytics (Premaster Chemistry)
Separation Sciences (MSc Chemistry).
Clinical and Analytical Chemistry (BSc Medical Natural Sciences).
Molecular Diagnostics (BSc Medical Natural Sciences).
Clinical Diagnostics and Imaging (BSc Science, Business and Innovation).

Management roles:

Chairman Examination Board Scheikunde/Chemistry VU-UvA
Member Examination Board EW-IW UvA
Member Examination Board NSM-IS VU
Theme Coordinator Analytics&Photonics BSc Scheikunde

Ancillary activities

KNCV Working Group Separation Sciences | Den Haag | Bestuurslid | 2014-04-01 - 2026-12-31
Stichting W. Th. Nauta Fonds | Amsterdam | Lid bestuur | 2016-07-01 - present
Society for Microscale Separation and Bioanalysis (SMSB) | Pittsburgh | Lid van bestuur | 2018-03-01 - 2026-05-01
KNCV FABIAN | Den Haag | Lid bestuur | 2019-01-01 - 2026-12-31
Stichting Scheikunde VU | Amsterdam | Lid bestuur | 2022-03-01 - present
NWO Tafel Chemie | Utrecht | Lid | 2023-09-01 - 2026-09-01

Ancillary activities are updated daily