Introduction of the Indian Society for Mass Spectrometry (ISMAS)

The Indian Society for Mass Spectrometry (ISMAS) was founded on March 21, 1978 at a meeting of the mass spectrometrists from all over India at Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC), Bombay during the First National Seminar on Mass Spectrometry. The Society was formed with the objectives of promoting and popularizing mass spectrometry and its applications in Research, Industry and other areas of Science. After 34 years, ISMAS now has more than 720 Life-Members and a few Corporate Members. The ISMAS members are from Research Institutes, Universities, Industries and Hospitals from all over India. The LifeMembers include Mass Spectrometrists from overseas and these are Non-Resident Indians and Mass Spectrometrists from Austria, Belgium, Germany, Israel, Italy, Japan, Singapore, UK, USA etc. The activities of ISMAS are looked after by the President, the Secretary and the Executive Committee elected triennially by the ISMAS members. The previous Presidents and Secretaries were:


ISMAS Triennial International Conference on Mass Spectrometry
ISMAS International Conference on Mass Spectrometry is held triennially.This provides a forum to research scholars, university faculty and research scientists from Research Institutes, Universities, Industries, Hospitals and other organizations to discuss their experiences and new developments in Mass Spectrometry.The Conference is organized by ISMAS and co-sponsored by a number of Departments of Government of India, other scientific organizations and Industries.These triennial Conferences on Mass Spectrometry have acquired International recognition in view of the participation of distinguished Mass Spectrometrists who are invited from different reputed Mass Spectrometric laboratories of the world.In view of the reputation of the ISMAS Conference, young Mass Spectrometrists working abroad also participate by sending their contributed papers.The contributed papers and the invited talks are published in the form of a bound Volume, prior to the beginning of the Conference.

ISMAS Symposium cum Workshop on Mass Spectrometry
ISMAS organizes Workshops on Mass Spectrometry at Research Institutes and Universities in different parts of India.These Workshops are aimed at introducing the subject of Mass Spectrometry to novices, updating the Mass Spectrometrists with the latest developments in the field, exposing the participants to innumerable applications of Mass Spectrometry and providing a common forum for discussing the day-to-day problems when working with a Mass Spectrometer.The programme of these Workshops consists of Tutorials, Panel Discussions, Research Scholar Presentations, Poster Presentations and Invited Lectures.The lectures include fundamentals of Mass Spectrometry, qualitative and quantitative aspects and data interpretation, maintenance of Mass Spectrometers, selection of a mass spectrometer, applications in various branches of science as well as recent advances in Mass Spectrometry.The lectures are supplemented by (i) Open-forum discussions on the experiences gained by the Resource Persons (faculty) as well as by the participants in running and maintaining the mass spectrometers and (ii) Visits to local laboratories equipped with mass spectrometers.

ISMAS Discussion Meet on Mass Spectrometry
ISMAS organizes Discussion Meets on specific applications of mass spectrometry at research institutes and universities in different parts of India.The Discussion Meet is aimed to discuss applications of mass spectrometry in focused area of research and updating the practitioners with the latest developments in the specific field of interest.The meet also provides a forum for discussing the day-to-day problems encountered in a selected area and find possible solutions.The following event was organized in association with Inter-University Accelerator Centre, New Delhi: April 14-15, 2011, ISMAS International Discussion Meet on "Elemental Mass Spectrometry in Health and Environmental Sciences" (ISMAS-DM-HEAL-2011) at Clarion Collection Hotel, New Delhi.

ISMAS Bulletin
ISMAS brings out Special Souvenir cum Bulletins to inform its members of the activities.The bulletin also acts as a vehicle for informative articles on various topics in mass spectrometry.The regular publication of these ISMAS bulletins has been stopped due to austerity measures and existence of ISMAS web-site.The Special ISMAS Bulletin cum Souvenirs are brought out at the time of Symposium/ Workshop/Conference.

Directory of Mass Spectrometers in India
A Directory of Mass Spectrometers in India was first published in 1985 based upon the information received for the questionnaire sent to all the working groups and Indian Companies who are vendors of Mass Spectrometers.This Directory was finally updated in 2003.The Directory contains useful information about the types of mass spectrometers available in various laboratories in India, the year of purchase and the various applications along with the names of scientists engaged in the particular application.

ISMAS Awards
Life-time achievement award ISMAS has instituted Life-Time Achievement Award for recognizing the outstanding contributions made by prominent mass spectrometrists, in each Symposium cum Workshop.The award carries a gold medal, a citation and a cash prize of Rs. 50,000/−.

Eminent mass spectrometrist award
ISMAS has instituted awards to recognize "Eminent Mass Spectrometrists" at each Triennial Symposium since 1991.Three awards are given at each triennial event .The award carries a medal, a citation and a cash prize of Rs. 25,000/-.The awards have been conferred upon: This award would consist a medal, citation and cash prize of Rs. 10,000/−.

Research scholar award
An award has been instituted for the Best Research Scholar presentation in every Workshop/Triennial Symposium organized by ISMAS.The winner is provided free registration, lodging and boarding for attending the next Symposium/Workshop.

Other Activities
ISMAS is also a member of International Mass Spectrometry Society (IMSS).This helps in providing information about ISMAS activities to all members of IMSS.ISMAS has its own website (www.ismas.org)which includes detailed information, news and upcoming events.ISMAS also considers providing partial support to its members to participate in the International Mass Spectrometry Conferences held outside India.
During Workshop cum Symposium, Research Scholars are provided with an opportunity to make oral presentations of their research work.Cash Awards and Certificates of Merit are given to the best presentations.ISMAS Workshop has been renamed as 'ISMAS Symposium cum Workshop Seminar on Mass Spectrometry' with effect from April 2005.
Young scientist awardISMAS Young Scientist Award is instituted in recognition of the work carried out by a person of age below 35 years for the excellent work carried out in India.