Current Coblentz President’s Message
August 2026
I hope to see you all at SciX! As always, the Coblentz Society has several events planned, including our annual membership meeting breakfast, member networking dinner, speed mentoring, vibrational spectroscopy sessions, plenary sessions, and award symposia. These activities provide wonderful opportunities to reconnect with colleagues, welcome new members, exchange scientific knowledge, and support the next generation of spectroscopists.
I am also delighted to congratulate Dr. Xiaoyun “Shawn” Chen on receiving the 2027 Williams-Wright Award for Industrial Vibrational Spectroscopy. Shawn is a Principal Research Scientist in Core R&D Analytical Sciences at The Dow Chemical Company, where he has spent nearly two decades advancing the industrial applications of vibrational spectroscopy. His pioneering use of in situ vibrational spectroscopy for reaction and process monitoring, as well as its deployment in the field, has helped improve research and manufacturing processes across Dow’s global operations. He has authored more than 50 peer-reviewed publications, holds multiple patents, and has served as an active leader in both the Coblentz Society and the Society for Applied Spectroscopy.
This recognition is richly deserved and reflects Shawn’s outstanding scientific contributions, commitment to mentorship, and dedication to the spectroscopy community. Please join me in congratulating Shawn. We look forward to celebrating his accomplishments at the Williams-Wright Award Symposium during Pittcon 2027 in Pittsburgh.
Rohith Reddy
President of the Coblentz Society