Group Members

Contact Info Albert Robbat, Jr. Pearson Chemistry Lab Tufts University Medford, MA 02155 Tel: 617-627-3474 Fax: 617-627-3443 Email Professor

Albert Robbat, Jr.
Research Advisor

Professor Robbat teaches undergraduate and graduate level analytical chemistry courses, which include both quantitative and instrumental analysis, as well as more advanced courses in forensic and environmental chemistry, separation science, mass spectroscopy, atomic and molecular spectroscopy, surface analysis, electrochemistry, and chemical statistics. Long-term research interests include instrument design and fabrication, methods development, and chemometrics (statistics) aimed at chemical hazards in food and the environment, forensic chemistry, explosives, chemical warfare agents, illicit drugs, and pharmaceuticals. Technologies developed include in situ, real-time, sampling and analysis systems for the detection of subsurface pollutants, ultra fast GC/MS, resistively heated GC columns and transfer lines, improvements in automated sequential 2D GC/MS and sensory directed chemical analysis. Central to this research are mathematical algorithms that deconvolve target compound mass spectra from high concentration chemical and instrumental noise. Dr. Robbat has mentored more than 35 M.S., Ph.D. and post-doctorate research scientists and has raised more than $7.5 million in grant support over the past fifteen years.

Dr. Robbat has been a consultant to instrument, chemical, and pharmaceutical companies from the initial start-up phase to Fortune 500 companies.  He provides consulting to law firms in matters of forensic and explosives analysis, product liability, environmental chemistry, and patent support.  He has testified as an expert in both federal and state courts.  Because his research interests are centered on developing novel field-based analytical instruments and methods, these technologies offer state-of-the-art tools unavailable to commercial laboratories.  Dr. Robbat has testified as to the validity of methods chosen for analysis, quality of data produced, and instruments used in the analysis.  Scientific expertise has been provided to state and federal agencies and to environmental engineering consulting and remediation companies in the assessment, characterization, and cleanup of hazardous waste sites.  Dr. Robbat has provided technical support to the Massachusetts DEP, U.S. EPA, and the Departments of Energy and Defense.  In 2003, Dr. Robbat founded Ion Signature Technology, Inc., a leading manufacturer of scientific data analysis software.

Professor Robbat has worked with the Andover, MA school district to evaluate how cities and towns spend their money and how these decisions impact school district performance.

Professional Preparation

• Ph.D. Chemistry, Pennsylvania State University, 1980
• M.B.A., Northeastern University, 2003
• B.S. Chemistry, University of Massachusetts, 1976

Appointments and Memberships

• 1986, Associate Professor Chemistry, Tufts University
• 1980, Assistant Professor Chemistry, Tufts University
• 1980-1982, Research Scientist, Pittsburgh Energy Technology Center, DOE
• Present, American Chemical Society
• Present, American Society for Mass Spectrometry
• Present, New England Chromatography Council and Greater Boston Mass Spectrometry Group
• 2004-present, U.S. EPA, Office of Technology Innovation, TRIAD Workgroup
• 1988-2004, Massachusetts, Department of Environmental Protection
• 1987-1998, Massachusetts, Department of Environmental Protection, Division of Water Supply, Safe Drinking Water Advisory Committee

Awards

• 1996, Received Presidential Technology Initiative Award from President Clinton
• 1995, Massachusetts Executive Office of Environmental Affairs Technology Innovation

Publications  |  Patents  |  Reports, Case Studies, Videotapes