The Washington Chromatography Discussion Group is merging into the Washington-Baltimore Mass Spectrometry Discussion Group in 2023. You can read more about the Chromatography Group on the History page.

The Washington Chromatography Discussion Group (WCDG) began in the early 1960s as an informal group of gas chromatographers who gathered to exchange ideas related to separation science. In 1965, the group, comprised of distinguished scientists from government, academia, and industry, formally became known as the “Washington Area Gas Chromatography Discussion Group”. The first president was M. Beroza, and president-elect and program chairperson was I. Hornstein, both from the USDA. The group met once a month from September through June in several locations throughout the area to hear an invited speaker and share information. As the group gained popularity, its activities included seminars, dinners, short courses, and symposia. By 1970, HPLC had become a viable technique so the group’s name was changed to the more encompassing “Washington Chromatography Discussion Group.” The group’s meetings were held regularly at one location, the office of Hewlett-Packard in Rockville, Maryland, and instrument manufacturers began sponsoring a light dinner before each meeting. Meetings were later held at the U.S. Pharmacopeia in Rockville and then at the Institute for Bioscience and Biotechnology Research in Rockville.