staRdom: Spectroscopic Analysis of Dissolved Organic Matter in R
staRdom on GitHub

Mastering EEM-PARAFAC with staRdom in R

An Intensive Online Seminar from May 7th to June 29th 2026
From Raw Spectra to Validated Biogeochemical Insights

Join Matthias Pucher (main developer of staRdom, ecosight e.U., Austria) and Daniel Graeber (Aquatic Ecosystem Analysis and Management, UFZ, Germany) for an intensive, hands-on seminar designed to master the complexities of dissolved organic matter analysis using the staRdom package in R.

Master the complete EEM-PARAFAC workflow by turning raw fluorescence and absorbance data into validated biogeochemical insights using staRdom in R. This seminar bridges the gap between complex lab measurements and reproducible reporting, guiding you through every correction, model diagnostic, and validation. Whether you’re a coding novice or a seasoned researcher, you’ll gain the technical rigor to extract the true story from your dissolved organic matter samples.

staRdom EEM PARAFAC porcess

Course goals

Part 0: R Fundamentals (Optional Foundation)

Goal: Transition from installation to independent data manipulation.

  • Environment & Syntax: Configure RStudio, manage packages, and master core R syntax (objects, indexing, and functions).
  • Data Wrangling: Import, transform, and reshape datasets between wide and long formats.
  • Visualization: Construct multi-layered plots using ggplot2 to inspect data structures.

Part 1: DOM Theory & Data Ingestion

Goal: Understand the „why“ behind the data before processing.

  • Theoretical Core: Define DOM properties and the rationale for using PARAFAC over simpler methods like PCA.
  • Data Integration: Import EEM and absorbance files, ensuring wavelength alignment and grid consistency.

Part 2: The staRdom Preprocessing Pipeline

Goal: Clean raw signals into research-ready data.

  • Correction Suite: Apply blank subtraction, Raman normalization, scattering removal, and IFE corrections.
  • Data Repair: Identify artifacts and apply appropriate interpolation to missing regions.
  • Optical Indices: Extract and interpret absorption slopes (S275−295​), peak picking, and fluorescence indices (HIX, BIX, FI).

Part 3: PARAFAC Modeling & Validation

Goal: Build and defend a robust mathematical model.

  • Model Construction: Calculate and evaluate PARAFAC models with varying component numbers.
  • Rigorous Validation: Use Core Consistency (CCD), residual analysis, and Split-half validation to confirm model stability.
  • Interpretation: Assign component identities based on known fluorophore signatures and global databases.

Part 4: Project Synthesis & Reproducibility

Goal: Apply the workflow to real-world data and professional reporting.

  • Critical Reflection: Identify noise sources, recognize causes of model instability, and detect potential flaws in comparative interpretation.
  • Personal Data Lab: Link metadata, troubleshoot naming conflicts, and refine models using participant-provided datasets.
  • Automated Reporting: Generate a complete, reproducible RMarkdown report including diagnostic plots and exported model files.

Course Schedule

All sessions are held from 9:00–11:00 CEST and repeated at 17:00–19:00 CEST to provide flexibility across time zones. You may attend whichever slot suits you best. Sessions are scheduled for the following dates:

30. 04. 2026Registration closed
Register & payed/cleared before your 1st Session.
07. 05. 2026R basics & requirements (part 0)
11. 05. 2026DOM domain knowledge (part 1)
14. 05. 2026R basics & requirements (part 0)
18. 05. 2026staRdom preprocessing (part 1 and 2)
01. 06. 2026Indices & absorption parameters (part 2)
08. 06. 2026PARAFAC modelling (part 3)
15. 06. 2026Full workflow with data (part 3)
22. 06. 2026Reporting (part 4)
29. 06. 2026Reflection (part 4)

Registration & fees

To ensure a high-quality, interactive learning environment with personalized troubleshooting, registration is organized into the following tiers. Please select the category that matches your primary affiliation.

Participant CategoryFull Seminar (incl. R intro)Core Seminar (staRdom)
Academic (Faculty, Students, Postdocs)800 €800 €
Professional / Private Sector1,350 €950 €
Equity Rate (L&LMIC Participants, details below)600 €600 €

Payment Methods: We accept international bank transfers via SWIFT/SEPA and all major credit cards through Stripe. All bank transfer and currency exchange fees must be covered by the participant. Please ensure the full invoice amount reaches our account.

A Certificate of Attendance will be issued to all participants who are present for at least 80% of the live seminar sessions.

Prices are subject to statutory VAT for private consumers and non-tax-exempt organizations within the EU. The final amount will be calculated based on your local tax rate during invoicing.

Equity & Inclusion

We are committed to making advanced analytical training accessible to the global research community.

  • Eligibility for Equity Rate: This rate is available to participants whose affiliated company or institute is located in a country classified as a „Low Income“ or „Lower Middle Income“ economy.
  • Verification: We use the OECD DAC List of ODA Recipients as our qualifying standard. If your country of residence/affiliation is on this list under the Low or Lower-Middle income categories, you are eligible for the 600 € flat rate.

Registration form

Register until April 30th 2026!

If you have specific questions about the curriculum or billing, feel free to reach out to us at matthias@stardom.earth. We’re happy to help!

Registration closed!

    * Fields marked with a star must be filled.

    Personal and contact information

    Affiliation & Billing Details



    Course Package & Fee
    Please select your registration tier*

    Payment method

    Technical Background & Participant Survey
    What is your experience level with R?

    Have you used staRdom or other EEM/PARAFAC software before?

    What is your primary research focus?

    Terms & Consent


     General Terms and Conditions. I understand that my registration is only finalized once the course fee is received in full.

    Immediately after signing up, you will receive a brief confirmation email; we will then follow up with your official invoice by the next business day. Your seat is secured, and access to the course materials will be provided, upon receipt of full payment.

    Technical Requirements

    To ensure you can follow the live coding sessions and participate in the hands-on troubleshooting, please ensure your setup meets the following requirements:

    Hardware & Connectivity

    • Audio & Video: A stable internet connection, a working microphone, and a webcam are required for the interactive sessions.
    • Processing Power: As PARAFAC modeling can be computationally intensive for larger datasets, you might not be able to reproduce some of the more complex analyses in real-time if your computer is slow. However, following the core content of the session will not be a problem, and there will be dedicated time between sessions to catch up on long-running calculations.

    Software Setup

    Participants must have the following installed and verified at least one week prior to the start date:

    • R (Version 4.2 or higher): Download from CRAN
    • RStudio Desktop: Download from Posit
    • Essentials: You will receive a „Preparation Tutorial“ upon registration. Following this tutorial to install R, RStudio, and all necessary dependencies is required to ensure a smooth start. Participants joining the course directly at the staRdom/PARAFAC module must ensure that the package and its dependencies are fully functional on their system in advance.

    Note: We will provide a Standardized Dataset for all participants to ensure that you can complete the full workflow successfully.

    Contact and support

    If you have any remaining questions, feel free to reach out to us at matthias@stardom.earth. We’re happy to help!