Dear participants of the international xenon symposium XeMAT 2018, after the very productive and successful conferences in Sestri Levante, Italy (2000), La Colle-sur-Loup, France (2003), Ottawa, Canada (2006), Ruka-Kuusamo, Finland (2009), Dublin, Ireland (2012), and Dresden, Germany (2015), in May, 2018 we will gather in the birthplace of the United States, the city of Philadelphia! We will discuss the latest research involving xenon, particularly the use of xenon/hyperpolarized noble gases in magnetic resonance. The scientific program of XeMAT 2018 will include roughly 30 oral presentations and many posters! A link to conference registration is provided here.

XeMAT 2018 takes place in the chemistry buildings at the University of Pennsylvania (UPenn). UPenn was established in 1740 and Benjamin Franklin served as first president of the institution from 1751-1755. In 1765, the Medical School was established by John Morgan. One faculty member of this new school was Benjamin Rush, the only signer of the Declaration of Independence to hold a medical degree. Rush was appointed Professor of Chemistry at the College in 1769. The following year, Rush published “A Syllabus of a Course of Lectures on Chemistry”, the first American text on the subject. In 1872, the University moved from Center City to its current home in West Philadelphia. This resulted in expansion and restructuring that led to the formation of the Department of Science. The Department of Chemistry dates its formation to 1874.

Today, the University of Pennsylvania is a prominent member of the Ivy League and is #10 in the 2018 World University rankings. The Chemistry Department, with 30 research-active faculty, is ranked among the top-20 chemistry departments in the United States, and is a leading producer of Ph.D. graduates among private universities. UPenn is providing generous financial and logistical support in hosting XeMAT 2018.

In addition to a stimulating scientific program at UPenn, the conference will provide a unique social program with opportunities to explore Old City Philadelphia–the neighborhood known as America’s most historic square mile. We look forward to welcoming you to Philadelphia!