Dr. Richard A Yost

Biography

Dr. Yost is a Professor and Head of Analytical Chemistry at the University of Florida.  He is an internationally recognized leader in the field of analytical chemistry, particularly tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS), and is best known for co-inventing the triple quadrupole mass spectrometer as a graduate student at Michigan State University.

Dr. Yost’s professional activities have focused on research and teaching in analytical mass spectrometry, and his group’s research has reflected a unique balance between instrumentation development, fundamental studies, and applications in analytical chemistry. Their work has led to the development of novel applications mass spectrometry in areas such as metabolomics, clinical, biomedical, pharmaceutical, environmental, and forensic chemistry, and has resulted in over 210 publications and more than 25 patents.  Dr. Yost has supervised the research of over 115 graduate students during his almost 40-year career, and has served as PI or Co-PI on grants and contracts totaling over $50 million of funding.  His research has been recognized with the highest award in his discipline, the 1993 ASMS Award for Distinguished Contribution in Mass Spectrometry, as well as the 2018 MSACL Award for Distinguished Contribution in Clinical Mass Spectrometry.  He currently serves as the President of ASMS, the 7,000-member American Society for Mass Spectrometry.