The 2018 Biemann Medal was awarded to Professor Benjamin A. Garcia at the 66th annual ASMS Conference for his numerous research contributions to bioanalytical mass spectrometry. Ben is widely known for his contributions to the development of new mass spectrometry methodologies and applications related to characterization of post-translational modifications, primarily in the context of epigenetic mechanisms. In particular, Ben has focused on unraveling the dynamics of histone modifications during cellular differentiation and disease. Deciphering this problem integrates strategies in cell biology, genomics, and biochemistry, with an emphasis on utilizing the most advanced mass spectrometry methods.

Ben graduated from the University of California, Davis, in 2000, where he was first introduced to mass spectrometry while working in the laboratory of Carlito Lebrilla. After graduating with his B.S. in Chemistry, Ben earned his Ph.D. in Chemistry in 2005 at the University of Virginia under the direction of Don Hunt where he was immersed in the field of proteomics. He joined the research group of Neil Kelleher at the University of Illinois where he was an NIH NRSA Post-doctoral Fellow. In 2008, Ben started his independent academic career at Princeton University as an assistant professor. He moved to the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine in 2012 and was promoted to Professor in 2016. Ben has received numerous honors and awards, including a National Science Foundation CAREER Award, a NIH Director’s New Innovator Award, the Presidential Early Career Award for Scientists and Engineers (PECASE), an Alfred P. Sloan Fellowship, and the American Chemical Society Arthur F. Findeis Award. Ben was one of the founding members of the ASMS Diversity and Outreach Working Group of ASMS, and he remains passionate about enhancing diversity in all fields of science.

figure a

ASMS President Vicki Wysocki (left) presenting the Biemann Medal to Benjamin Garcia at the 2018 ASMS Conference (San Diego, CA)

Ben graciously agreed to provide some personal insight about his career and life in science:

  1. (1)

    When did you become excited about mass spectrometry and realize it was going to shape your future?

    I first was introduced to mass spectrometry as an undergraduate in Carlito Lebrilla’s lab at UC Davis. I started to find out what an amazing tool MS was, but it wasn’t actually until the Human Genome was sequenced that I realized that MS was going to play a huge role in my future. I thought at that moment, that we knew all about the genome, so I better learn how to characterize all the proteins our genes encode. That led me to Don Hunt’s lab at the University of Virginia and my future was set in motion.

  2. (2)

    How do you find inspiration and innovation for your research program?

    I find inspiration from many sources. Every time I attend a conference such as ASMS, I get blown away by the work being done by everyone in the field. My colleagues at UPenn and my lab members also give me much inspiration as well, especially with all the creative work they propose and are doing.

  3. (3)

    For new people entering the field of mass spectrometry, what words of wisdom can you provide?

    Just keep working in the areas of MS that you enjoy, whatever they are. Do not listen to anyone that says that this sub-area or that will be the next big thing and you should work in that area. Do not overthink things. Whatever you enjoy, whether proteomics or ion-molecule gas-phase reactions, keep doing it! When you are studying something you love, it does not feel like work at all, and things always work out.

  4. (4)

    You lead a large group with many projects and many people. How do you maintain a work-life balance? How do you de-stress?

    I have four kids, so anything outside of the lab revolves around them and their activities. My daughters all have played softball, and I have coached them every year for the last 10 years (and made the playoffs every year as well!).

  5. (5)

    In your group, does mass spectrometry drive the biology, or does biology drive the mass spectrometry?

    Actually kind of both. While we are interested in specific areas of biology (epigenetics), mass spectrometry plays a huge role in what we can accomplish. There might be specific question that first drives our technology developments, but we have also had the technology open up new areas to investigate as well. It’s a pretty good balance of back and forth, which I enjoy.

  6. (6)

    What aspect of the analytical workflow has the most room for improvement?

    Right now I feel that liquid chromatography (LC) is the most difficult part of the proteomics pipeline (gives us the most troubles). As great as the mass spectrometers are, if you have a bad LC run, they will not be able to make up for it. It would be great if we could get just rid of LC!

  7. (7)

    What special advice do you have for new assistant professors in the field of mass spectrometry?

    When I first started my independent position, I had a senior faculty member give me the best advice. He said “this time right now isn’t your Assistant Professor time, it’s your Super Postdoc time”. What he meant was that I should be still very active in the lab, working myself a lot and training lab members, not just sitting behind my desk writing grants and managing yet. I see many Assistant Professors who transition immediately to that manager role, and do not spend a lot of time in the lab at the beginning of their careers. I feel this is a mistake, as you yourself need to set the tone and pace of the lab, and train students/scientists the way you want them to develop. In the first 3–4 years, you will have the best hands in your lab by far, but hopefully after the first 3–4 years that is not the case anymore because of your early efforts.

Owing to his star status in the field of mass spectrometry, Ben was selected as the recipient of the 2018 Biemann Medal. The Journal of the American Society for Mass Spectrometry is honored to present this focus section to showcase Ben’s contributions and the significant impact of his research accomplishments in the elucidation of the histone code.