Professor Knut Irgum heads the separation science group at Department of Chemistry, Umeå University, Sweden. His interests are best described the borderland between analytical and materials chemistry, with focus on and separation science and his publications range from trace gas analysis via mechanisms and reagents for peroxyoxalate chemiluminescence to synthesis of stationary phases for liquid chromatography. The focus of the group’s work has in recent years been development of new materials for hydrophilic interaction chromatography (HILIC) and assessment of the mechanisms developing selectivity in HILIC. This research has resulted in the development of numerous new materials carrying a variety of hydrophilic (including sulfobetaine zwitterionic) ligands, several of which have been commercialized. Professor Irgum has published more than 80 peer reviewed scientific papers and two book chapters within the areas of interest. His entrepreneurial achievements have been awarded by the Baltic Group Entrepreneurial Achievement Prize.