http://confocal-microscopy-list.275.s1.nabble.com/Janelia-conference-for-imaging-cores-some-pointers-tp7587488p7587501.html
For what it's worth, the only fair method I could come up with for selecting attendees to our tissue clearing workshop was a lottery.
We've found we always have an excellent group of interesting people with a lot to offer in the discussion periods.
In addition, you've already assembled a great selection of leaders in the field in the list of invited attendees, so I don't think you'll lack for innovative people!
> On Oct 27, 2017, at 4:11 PM, Chew, Teng-Leong <
[hidden email]> wrote:
>
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> Hi all,
>
> Thank you very much for the overwhelming interest to this meeting:
>
https://www.janelia.org/you-janelia/conferences/frontiers-microscopy-technologies-and-strategies-bioimaging-centers-network>
> I quickly browsed through the abstracts we have received and based on the questions from a few prospective applicants, I thought I would clarify what we would be looking for in these applications.
>
> We are specifically seeking applicants who could contribute something novel to the conference. What I mean by that are the following do’s and don’ts:
>
> Don’ts
> 1. Don’t submit an abstract that reads like a CV or a core facility description. Abstracts that go down a laundry list of “I have 5 confocals, 3 EMs, and 500 users in a 3000 square feet space” are not going to get accepted.
> 2. If you discuss open access, you cannot simply say “20 labs from a nearby institution also use my facility”.
> 3. For data handling, don’t simply say “I have ~200 TB of storage space, folks can use it for free or for a fee”.
> 4. Don’t say my university IT department provides storage for a fee (it may be true); nobody cares. Have they built something special for you?
> 5. Do not address all the issues listed on the website in one abstract. Pick 1-2 issues that set you apart.
> 6. Don’t whine about problems you are facing – state the challenges you face in the form of opportunity for improvement. Wishing you could have more money is not a strategic solution.
> 7. Do not attempt to re-explain the importance of core facilities to your fellow core facility directors.
> Almost everyone in the audience faces these issues, so you are not contributing anything new if you say something like the above. If you don’t want to hear these same issues for three straight days, don’t submit these kinds of abstracts.
>
> Do’s
> 1. State clearly what makes your core facility unique compared to 1,000 other cores worldwide
> 2. Articulate how you deal with open access challenges – biosafety handling, animal transfer, data transfer, lodging, equitable fee structure etc
> 3. State how you deal with big data challenge – how you deal with cloud computing and data transfer rate if you offer extensive open access
> 4. State your problems in running the core and how you would like these problems solved strategically
> 5. Describe unique method development (for technical abstract)
> 6. Describe unique algorithm or data analysis strategy (for technical abstract)
> 7. Describe unique probes developed/tested in your core (for technical abstract)
> 8. Describe any unique experience in dealing with manufacturers. Demo’ing an instrument is not unique; helping your users get to a company demo site is not unique.
> 9. Describe your unique educational outreach. Running a microscopy course to talk about N.A. or confocal is not unique, organizing a workshop event sponsored by a bunch of companies is not unique. On the other hand, if you run a world-class workshop (accessible to non-local attendees) on tissue clearing/expansion microscopy/computer vision or how to build a microscope from individual parts, we are more likely to want to hear about it.
> 10. Share your innovative strategy/experience in fundraising
> 11. Share your creative approach in working with the university leadership to help build up your imaging center.
> 12. Share how your regional institutions have formed a local alliance to better serve the community
>
> In a nutshell, we look for those who have something unique to contribute as we begin to build up an international community of imaging centers – for collaboration, data sharing, lobbying for funding, technology dissemination. You should show that you have something (expertise or experience) unique to contribute to this alliance. Don’t reiterate routine efforts that are expected for a decent core facility.
>
> Again, if you have unique experience with any other issues not listed, bring it up.
>
> Keep your abstract focused. Don’t discuss too many issues. Regular talks are only 15 min each.
>
> Feel free to e-mail me with any question you may have. I am happy to work with you. Really looking forward to seeing some familiar faces and meeting new colleagues!
>
> Regards,
> Leong
>