The University of Georgia’s Complex Carbohydrate Research Center (CCRC) has been an international leader in carbohydrate science for over four decades, advancing cutting-edge research across biofuels, biomedical sciences, new materials, and other fields. To produce this caliber of work, CCRC relies on state-of-the-art instrumentation—and the people who keep it running.
People like Qingsong Cai, a chemical instrumentation manager who has been integral to CCRC’s operations for over a decade. Cai provides technical expertise for some of the most advanced instrumentation in the world. He can also install, calibrate, maintain, and repair such equipment as high-end mass spectrometers,chromatography systems, and ultra-high vacuum technology.
“I was drawn to UGA for its vibrant research community here—especially the multidisciplinary approach at CCRC, blending chemistry, biology, and analytical science,” he said. “It’s a place where technical staff don’t just keep machines running—they contribute to advancing cutting-edge research.”
Cai brings 18 years of experience with complex lab instruments to CCRC and a passion for empowering scientific discovery. Over nearly two decades in the field, he’s developed an advanced skillset in instrumentation and systems design, with an emphasis on solving complex problems to serve research goals.
This kind of work is often outsourced by research institutions, but CCRC has strategically kept it in-house to streamline operations, cut costs, and ensure maximum precision and accuracy across its research efforts.
“The type of research the CCRC does in glycoscience requires a wide array of advanced equipment,” said Carl Bergmann, special advisor to the vice president for research. “It’s essential that we are able to keep this equipment up and running so our researchers don’t get stuck with setbacks in their work. We couldn’t do this without engineers like Qingsong.”
Cai’s contributions are immeasurable, Bergmann said. Without him, CCRC would need to rely on manufacturer’s service contracts, which typically cost 5%-10% annually of the equipment’s purchase price. With around $100 million in instrumentation at CCRC, that means the center would spend approximately $5 million to $10 million—each year—on service alone.
But cost isn’t the only concern. In-house engineers also accelerate maintenance and repairs, avoiding delays that could stall critical research. If CCRC had to depend on service contracts, researchers would likely wait weeks for some instruments to come back online.
Most research projects don’t have that kind of time to spare. CCRC Associate Director Parastoo Azadi, for example, oversees analytical services and training at the center. Her team analyzes the structural characterization of carbohydrates for service contracts with academic, governmental, and industry partners. Among other things, her lab assesses carbohydrate-based drugs for the pharmaceutical industry so they can be approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.
“The researchers we’re working with cannot wait a few weeks or a few months for the data we’re generating,” she said. “I need someone who is available to ensure our instruments are always running properly—and to fix things quickly, if there’s ever a problem.”
Cai’s work also ensures data accuracy, Azadi explained. Her lab examines complex carbohydrates from plants, microbial bacteria, and even diseases, including cancer and Alzheimer’s. The research is highly sensitive due to the complexity of the materials.
“In order to analyze complex carbohydrates, we need high-end instrumentation that can give us the most detailed structure of the carbohydrates,” Azadi said, adding that complex carbohydrates are known for having a lot of heterogeneity, which makes it more challenging to identify and analyze the details. “Our instruments need to be calibrated so they are sensitive and capable of generating a high volume of accurate data, 24/7. We want our partners to know that they can count on us to produce efficient and accurate work.”
Cai has finetuned his ability to maintain advanced instrumentation through a doctoral degree in environmental toxicology and 18 years in the field, including 12 at CCRC. He was drawn to this career after recognizing how much science relies on dependable and accurate instrumentation.
Through hands-on troubleshooting and collaboration with scientists and vendors, he’s developed a skillset that allows him to service equipment from manufacturers based around the globe. When a problem arises, he’s got the knowledge and experience necessary to troubleshoot and quickly identify the root cause.
“We’ve developed a maintenance program that involves a daily review of equipment, so we can pinpoint what might need attention and reduce any possible downtime,” Cai said. “When instruments break down, experiments stall—and I take pride in minimizing that downtime and saving costs.”
