Quality Assurance in Analytical Chemistry

Elizabeth Prichard obtained a first degree in Chemistry from the University lege of Wales, Aberystwyth, where she went on to obtain her doctorate studying infrared spectroscopy. After a Civil Service Research Fellowship, she moved into academia, initially at Bedford College and then Royal Holloway and B Bedford New College, University of London before moving to the University of Warwick as a Senior Research Fellow. While at London University, she continued her research in spectroscopy, as well as some work in biophysical chemistry. At the University of Warwick, she researched the release profiles of steroids from implanted contraceptive devices. During her time at London University, Elizabeth spent sabbatical periods at the Division of Materials Application NPL, the Biophysics and Biochemistry Department, Wellcome research Foundation, Beckenham and then as Associate Professor sponsored by the British Council at the University of Gezira and at the University of Khartoum, Sudan.

Vicki Barwick obtained a first degree in Chemistry from the University of Nottingham. She then joined the Laboratory of the Government Chemist (which became LGC in 1996) as an analyst in the Consumer Safety Group. Vicki was involved with a number of projects to assess the safety of consumer products, including developing test methods for the identification of colorants in cosmetics and the quantitation of phthalate plasticizers in child-care items.

After five years as an analyst, Vicki moved within LGC to work on the DTI-funded Valid Analytical Measurement (VAM) programme. In this role, responsible for providing advice and developing guidance on methods validation, measurement uncertainty and statistics. One of her key project involved the chemical test methods. During this time, Vicki also became involved with the development and delivery of training courses on topics such as method validation, measurement uncertainty, quality systems and statistics for analytical chemists.