FOREWORD TO THE 10TH INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE OF THE NUCLEAR ANALYTICAL METHODS IN THE LIFE SCIENCES (NAMLS-10)

The 10th International Conference of the Nuclear Analytical Methods in the Life Sciences (NAMLS-10) was held in the Grand Ballroom of the Swissotel Nai Lert Park, Bangkok, Thailand during 15–20 January 2012. This series of international conferences are organized to promote the development and application of nuclear and related analytical methods in the life sciences. Previous NAMLS conferences were held in Amsterdam (1967), Bled (1972), Vienna (1978), Gaithersburg (1989), Prague (1993), Beijing (1998), Antalya (2002), Rio de Janeiro (2005), and Lisbon (2008). There were 147 participants at NAMLS-10 from 24 countries of every continent, near and far. The conference comprised 54 oral presentations by invited experts as well as speakers of selected contributed papers and of 58 posters. Out of a total of 112 contributions, 45 manuscripts have been selected for publication in this special issue of the Journal of Radioanalytical and Nuclear Chemistry. After the grand opening, the conference began with a presentation of eulogy by Dr. Jan Kucera to Prof. Dr. Julian Hoste for his pioneering contribution to nuclear analytical and radiochemistry. Dr. Emron Wasantawisuthi then delivered a statement of appreciation for Dr. Robert Parr in recognition of his 35 years of distinguished contributions to strengthen technical and scientific capacity building of nuclear analytical chemistry in developing countries through the implementation of numerous IAEA projects. On this 10th anniversary of NAMLS conferences the International Committee of the NAMLS and Thailand’s NAMLS organizing committee took the opportunity to honor Dr. Parr who can be considered as the father of NAMLS. An award was also presented to Dr. Moumita Maiti of the Saha Institute of Nuclear Physics, India for the best young nuclear scientist. She presented her work on ‘‘Nuclear and Chemical Data for Life Sciences’’. Some of the topics presented covered broad area of Human and Animal Health, Human and Animal Nutrition, Environmental Studies Agriculture Quality and Metrology Methods and New Instrumentation Forensics Fukushima and Nuclear Power. The conference ended by a special speech from Dr. Daud Mohamad, Deputy Director General, Department of Nuclear Sciences and Applications of the IAEA, on ‘‘Atoms for Peace: Meeting Basic Human Needs through Science and Technology’’ delivered by Dr. Qu Liang, Director of the Joint IAEA/FAO Division, IAEA. Since NAMLS-10 was held in the Asia Pacific region, it gave the young professionals in the field an opportunity to attend the conference. Thanks also to IAEA for the financial assistance which helped in part the cost for some of the young researchers from every corner of the world to attend the conference. Poster sessions were also very interesting. Best student oral and poster presentation awards were given. Two committees reviewed oral presentations, interviewed the authors of posters, and selected young meritorious researchers for the student awards. The organizing committee wishes to thank Prof. Dr. A. Chatt for his kind contribution for the award as well as to the selection committee. During the 6-day conference, the participants from all over the world had a chance to meet and discuss research of mutual interest. It started during the poolside reception in the evening on the first day of the conference. The poster sessions also provided a great chance for young as well as the experts in the area to exchange their ideas extensively. The participants also had a chance to see the traditional Thai cultural heritage during the visit to Floating Market and the Sanctuary of Truth with hand carving teak house.