Member Spotlight: Meet Mikael Fabritius

Mikael Fabritius is a postdoctoral researcher in the Food Sciences unit at the University of Turku, Finland. His expertise lies in method development for liquid chromatographic and mass spectrometric applications. His academic career focuses on the deep structural characterization of lipid molecules, particularly triglycerides and phospholipids in natural fats and oils.

Research Focus
Mikael’s current research involves developing a tandem mass spectrometric analysis method to identify the positioning of fatty acids within phospholipid molecules. His work aims to expand analysis methods beyond phosphatidylcholine to other phospholipid classes such as phosphatidylethanolamine and phosphatidylserine. These advancements could unlock new understandings of nutritional and biological properties.

Advancements in the Field
Mikael is particularly excited about the latest innovations in mass spectrometry, including alternative fragmentation mechanisms that provide deeper structural insights. Machine learning applications are also aiding in deciphering complex lipid data, opening new doors for lipid research.

AOCS Annual Meeting
Mikael has attended the AOCS Annual Meeting twice, finding it an invaluable opportunity to network with leading experts and explore a balanced program of fundamental research and industrial applications. These meetings have supported his research and allowed him to gain new insights from the lipid science community.

Future Directions
He is excited about advancing the characterization of phospholipids to determine the precise positioning of fatty acids, which could have profound implications for understanding their nutritional and biological roles.