An interview with
Dr. Katharina Hohenwallner | Field Application Specialist
“A scientist in his laboratory is not a mere technician: he is also a child confronting natural phenomena that impress him as though they were fairy tales.”
– Marie Curie
1) What is your role at Plasmion?
I am a Field Application Specialist and joined the company in December 2024. My role bridges laboratory work and direct customer engagement – I perform demonstrations, support customers, and develop applications for SICRIT® and HaVoc.
2) What skills are particularly valuable for your work at Plasmion?
I think one of the most valuable skills I bring is my genuine fascination with the technology, as well as a willingness to try new things. My PhD experience taught me how to handle challenges and adapt when things don’t go as planned, which is essential in application development.
3) What do you value most about working at Plasmion?
I value many things at Plasmion, especially the great teamwork, open discussions, and strong support among colleagues. Beyond that, I love the drive for innovation, the excitement of pushing mass spectrometry into new areas, and the outside-the-box thinking that makes every day exciting. It’s simply fun to work here!
4) Which unexpected customer request or use case surprised you the most?
I’m continually surprised by how creatively customers use SICRIT®: from honey authentication to combat food fraud, to asthma research using the Breath Module in the context of urban air pollution, to rapid synthesis control with the GC-SPME module, or real-time aroma profiling during the roasting of coffee beans … or even marshmallows! It really shows that new technologies often create the greatest value in areas where they weren’t originally intended to be used.
5) What is the most common mistake when using your product?
In terms of day-to-day operation, there are surprisingly few issues, SICRIT® is very straightforward to use. The most common “mistakes” are fairly trivial (the source not being switched on, or not mounted gas-tight). The bigger challenge is technical understanding: SICRIT® is extremely versatile, which is a huge advantage once users fully grasp its capabilities. When used correctly, it enables some very exciting and successful projects.
6) How often do you have to mediate between technical feasibility and customer requirements?
Very often. Many customers initially only see a small part of what’s possible. My role is to listen carefully and then suggest the right setup. Especially in the LC-MS environment, the focus is often on increasing sensitivity. However, the real added value of SICRIT® frequently lies in expanding the analytical panel, for example enabling non-target screening. And when something isn’t (yet) possible, our R&D team often manages to make the impossible possible.
7) Which soft skills are just as important as technical expertise in your job?
Listening, developing a genuine understanding of the problem, and having strong interpersonal sensitivity. Trust and reliability are just as important as technical know-how. And yes, having a bit of structure helps too (I’m still working on that 😉).
8) What has been your most valuable “aha” moment in the field?
Realizing that what customers say they want isn’t always what they actually need. The best ideas often emerge only after asking the right follow-up questions.