Title: Professor of Chemistry
Company: Duquesne University
Location: Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States
H.M. ‘Skip’ Kingston, Chemistry Professor at Duquesne University, has been recognized among Top Educators by ‘Marquis Who’s Who’ for dedication, achievements, leadership and excellence in biomedical testing and environmental chemical/biochemical analysis and education.
After receiving his Bachelor of Science in chemistry education and a Master of Science in analytical chemistry from Indiana University of Pennsylvania, Dr. Kingston continued his education with a Doctor of Philosophy in analytical chemistry, environmental science and management from American University in Washington in 1978. Early in his career, he patented Speciated Isotope Dilution Mass Spectrometry (SIDMS, 1994), an essential tool in determining highly toxic species of hexavalent chromium and mercury species in soils and sediments, and humans along with many equally important applications associated with food, supplements, health impact of environmental exposure and homeland security. SIDMS has been codified by the EPA and DOD as a national method under the designation ‘Method 6800.’ His latest invention named Thor’s Hammer uniquely allows mass spectrometers to analyze human biomarkers at levels orders of magnitude below the manufacturer’s lower limit of quantification and produce results that meet FDA’s guidelines of data quality. Application of Dr. Kingston’s inventions at Duquesne University and collaborations with other scientists continue to enable environmental impact monitoring and assessment of human health and wellness.
Dr. Kingston excelled as a supervisory research chemist at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) in Gaithersburg, Maryland from 1976 to 1991. He founded and headed an industry-government Consortium on Automated Analytical Laboratory Systems (CAALS) that established automation standards nationally. During his tenure at NIST, Dr. Kingston became the IEEE-sponsored Congressional Science Fellow, working with Dr. Ron Ritter, the Ranking Minority Chair of Congressional Committees Energy/Commerce, and Science and Technology. He investigated the consequences of radon exposure on humans and coordinated hearings on radon as a public health threat. Dr. Kingston’s investigations and efforts helped passing of radon-laws in 1986. Since then, over 1.5 million US citizens have avoided death from bronchial cancer.
Beginning in 1991 and continuing today, Dr. Kingston has been providing superior education as professor and senior faculty in chemistry and analytical chemistry at Duquesne University in Pittsburgh. Under his mentorship, many students finished their post-graduate studies and become successful scientists who continue Dr. Kingston’s traditions and scientific excellence around the globe.
As the chief scientific officer of a life sciences company, Applied Isotope Technologies, Dr. Kingston established the transformational scientific foundation. He continues to make significant contributions and set technological direction of the company. Dr. Kingston is presently working to set up a blood a new blood collection and shipment modality for diagnosis and testing to support medical treatment. Subject to strict regulations, blood drawn today in tubes by a phlebotomist cannot be shipped across national borders. Quantitative dried blood cards (QDBS) allow medical care givers and patients to take and send blood samples from anywhere in the world in an envelope by regular mail. AIT plans to commercialize QDBS as a home blood collection kit that can be used at home by the patient.
Dr. Kingston’s many honors for his research and professorship include the Kaufman Award in Biology, Chemistry and Physics in 2009, the R&D 100 Award for Invention and Development of Speciated Isotope Dilution Mass Spectrometry in 1996, the NIST Applied Research Award in 1990, the Department of Commerce Bronze Medal the same year, the Pioneer in Laboratory Robotics Award and the R&D 100 Award for the Development of Chelation Ion Chromatography in 1988, the R&D 100 Award for Development of Microwave-Enhanced Chemistry in 1987. In addition, he has been named to the Duquesne University Research Hall of Fame.
For more information, please visit:
Contact Dr. Kingston:
