# Blair McMaster

> New Zealand chemist, computer programmer and analyst

**Wikidata**: [Q128797343](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q128797343)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/blair-mcmaster

## Summary
Blair McMaster was a New Zealand chemist, computer programmer, and analyst. He is primarily recognized for his academic research in mass spectrometry and his professional transition into the field of software engineering.

## Biography
- Nationality: New Zealand
- Education: Christ's College, Christchurch; Bachelor of Science (Honours), University of Canterbury (1969); Doctor of Philosophy, University of Canterbury (1972)
- Known for: Research on substituent effects in mass spectra and professional work in computer programming
- Employer(s): University of Canterbury (Affiliated)
- Field(s): Chemistry, Computer Programming, Software Engineering

## Contributions
Blair McMaster contributed to the field of chemistry through his specialized research into mass spectrometry. In 1972, he completed his doctoral thesis at the University of Canterbury titled "Substituent effects in the mass spectra of substituted benzils." This work, conducted under the supervision of doctoral advisor Graeme Wright, provided a detailed analysis of how chemical substituents influence the fragmentation and spectra of benzils. 

In addition to his scientific research, McMaster developed a career as a computer programmer and analyst. His professional activities spanned the disciplines of software development and software engineering, applying analytical methodologies from his scientific background to the creation and maintenance of computer software. His academic work remains a part of the NZThesisProject, a focus list of significant New Zealand doctoral research.

## FAQs
### Q: What was Blair McMaster’s primary academic contribution?
A: Blair McMaster is known for his doctoral research on the mass spectra of substituted benzils, which he completed at the University of Canterbury in 1972. His work investigated the chemical properties and substituent effects of these compounds.

### Q: What were Blair McMaster’s professional occupations?
A: He was a multi-disciplinary professional who worked as a chemist, a computer programmer, and a systems analyst. His career involved both laboratory-based chemical research and software engineering.

### Q: Where was Blair McMaster educated?
A: He attended Christ's College in Christchurch before earning a Bachelor of Science (Honours) and a PhD from the University of Canterbury in New Zealand.

## Why They Matter
Blair McMaster represents the intersection of traditional chemical research and the evolution of computer science in New Zealand. His doctoral work at the University of Canterbury contributed to the foundational understanding of mass spectrometry, a critical tool in analytical chemistry. By transitioning into programming and analysis, McMaster exemplified the movement of highly trained scientific researchers into the technology sector, bridging the gap between physical sciences and software engineering. His legacy is preserved through his academic contributions to the New Zealand scientific record and his professional impact as a software practitioner.

## Notable For
*   **Doctoral Research:** Author of the 1972 thesis "Substituent effects in the mass spectra of substituted benzils."
*   **Academic Pedigree:** Earned a PhD from the University of Canterbury under the guidance of noted advisor Graeme Wright.
*   **Interdisciplinary Career:** Successfully integrated a background in chemistry with a professional career in computer programming and analysis.
*   **NZThesisProject:** His work is recognized as a significant academic contribution within the focus list of New Zealand's doctoral research projects.

## Body
### Academic Background and Chemistry Research
Blair Nicholas McMaster (also known as B. N. McMaster) began his formal education at Christ's College in Christchurch. He later attended the University of Canterbury, where he achieved the following milestones:
*   **Bachelor of Science (Honours):** Awarded on May 8, 1969.
*   **Doctor of Philosophy:** Awarded on October 30, 1972.

His doctoral research, "Substituent effects in the mass spectra of substituted benzils," focused on the behavior of chemical compounds under mass spectrometric analysis. This research was supervised by Graeme Wright and is archived under the handle http://hdl.handle.net/10092/6085.

### Professional Career in Computing
Following his academic training in chemistry, McMaster transitioned into the technology sector. He worked as a:
*   **Programmer:** Writing and developing computer software.
*   **Analyst:** Evaluating and designing complex computer systems.
*   **Software Engineer:** Practicing the systematic application of engineering approaches to software development.

### Affiliations and Death
McMaster maintained a long-standing affiliation with the University of Canterbury, the institution where he completed his higher education. He was a citizen of New Zealand throughout his life. Blair McMaster passed away on August 1, 2024, in Avonhead, New Zealand.

## References

1. [Source](https://www.legacy.com/nz/obituaries/the-press-nz/name/blair-mcmaster-obituary?id=55807252)
2. [Source](https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/CHP19651207.2.76)
3. [Source](http://hdl.handle.net/10092/6085)