The Division of Mass Spectrometry of the Italian Chemical Society

The Division of Mass Spectrometry (DSM) is one of the eleven Divisions of the Italian Chemical Society. It has a long history: its origin can be found in 1971 when the “Group of Mass Spectrometry” was founded and it became a “Division” in 1984.

"The Division aims in gathering mass spectrometry experts to favorite dissemination and strengthening of the scientific, technological and educational topics of this discipline through publications, conferences, training courses, workshops and other initiatives, also in connection with other institutions operating in the same or related frames"(Article 1 of the Regulations).

The Division of Mass Spectrometry has a President and a Directive Board who are in charge for three years. It also has a delegate in the Young Group of the Italian Chemical Society.
In the period 2008-2010, the Division the Division has set as its four priority areas within which to design, promote and implement its activities:

1. TRAINING: training in mass spectrometry is a primary aim to be pursued. To a more and more sophisticated instrumentation, unfortunately, an adequate culture does not always correspond. The era of the "click and the spectrum is made" still prevails in too many areas. It is therefore necessary to promote, disseminate and strengthen the culture of mass spectrometry so that all those who work in mass spectrometry will have full knowledge of the discipline, in order to properly carry out the experiments, to correctly interpret the data, and to design new experiments.
   For this reason, DSM organizes MS schools and courses also in collaboration with other institutions.
2. UP-TO-DATE: given the rapid changes that mass spectrometry has, a continuous scientific, technological and instrumental updating is needed. The update is done through the organization of congresses, conferences and workshops also in collaboration with other institutions and European societies of mass spectrometry.
3. NATIONAL AND INTERNATIONAL CONTEXT: DSM carries out its activity in a national context, in collaboration with other SCI parts, with universities, public and private research institutions, and in an international context, in collaboration with mass spectrometry Societies of other countries.
4. ATTENTION TO YOUNG PEOPLE: great attention is paid to young people through the establishment and awarding prizes awarding prizes, scholarships, grants and mobility fellowships.

In 2010, DSM has organized conferences, schools, seminars, workshops on various topics. All of them have had a good success.
The following awards have been given: DSM award for the activity in mass spectrometry; DSM award for young people working in the field of mass spectrometry; DSM mobility grants for young people and several fellowships including registration and full board for the participation of young people at conferences.
DSM has more than 400 members of which about 80 are junior people.

A substantial number of active members is a cultural enrichment and an important foundation for the growth and strengthening of the culture of mass spectrometry in Italy, as well as of the Division of Mass Spectrometry, both in a national and an internationally frame.

The DSM President and its Directive Board consider the creation of a climate of peaceful dialogue and discussion, and the continuous exchange with all members as a priority, so that each member does not delegate to others, but feel him/herself as an active part in the full consciousness to play an irreplaceable role inside the Division of Mass Spectrometry.

The contribution and commitment of each member, in a spirit of peaceful and honest collaboration, synergy and sharing of objectives with the Presidency and the Directive Board are necessary to pursue and implement any project action within our Division.