http://confocal-microscopy-list.275.s1.nabble.com/Janelia-conference-for-imaging-cores-some-pointers-tp7587488p7587505.html
I 100% agree with Craig's point of view. The success story of the Facilities or Center in the university set up is based on the intuitional support to keep the staffs to run the facility. Janelia is completely a different operational set up compared to the university.
The manager has no financial power to run the facility. It is possible that if the manager or the center directors have the resources to write their own research grants to run the facility.
Dr. Ammasi Periasamy
Leong et al, I think that the greatest problems faced by core facilities are social and political, rather than technical. Janelia is amazing at solving practical imaging problems through engineering, and has spearheaded the use of many amazing techniques. For most core managers, however, their concerns more revolve around keeping their staff paid and the equipment running. Core facilities seem glamorous, but tend to be chronically underfunded when it comes to maintaining a cadre of high-quality staff.
Host organisations seem all too willing to fund the acquisition of the latest, greatest technology but usually don't consider staffing requirements, or undervalue them. In my career, I have all too often seen very expensive equipment gathering dust for want of personnel to maintain or operate it. I would suggest that the most valuable information for core managers would be strategies to convince stakeholders to invest more appropriately in training and staff. This is a tough sell as it doesn't directly lead to high impact papers getting published, but it provides the foundation upon which such papers are built. Getting this across to the purse-string holders is difficult, and I would like to hear how core managers went about this.
> *****
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> *****
>
> Hi Tim,
>
> Yes, there will be an abstract book, in PDF.
>
> I am not sure if it will capture the full flavor though as there will
> be a lot of hands-on or up-close experience with the AIC instruments
> and also the instrument design & fabrication center here.
>
> We are trying to figure some other alternatives out. Stay tuned!
>
> Regards,
> Leong
>
> On 10/31/17, 9:07 AM, "Confocal Microscopy List on behalf of
> Feinstein, Timothy N" <
[hidden email] on behalf of
>
[hidden email]>
> wrote:
>
> *****
> To join, leave or search the confocal microscopy listserv, go to:
>
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http://www.imgur.com and include the link in your
> posting.
> *****
>
> Q – is there any plan to publish abstracts from the meeting? I
> expect the discussion to be interesting and valuable for a great many people.
>
> Best,
>
>
> Tim
>
> Timothy Feinstein, Ph.D.
>
>
>
> On 10/31/17, 12:02 AM, "Confocal Microscopy List on behalf of
> Chew, Teng-Leong" <
[hidden email] on behalf of
>
[hidden email]> wrote:
>
> *****
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> and include the link in your posting.
> *****
>
> Hi Alison,
>
> Thanks for your question. Upon re-reading my last e-mail, sent
> in haste, I realize that it reeks of arrogance and condescension. So,
> to my beloved imaging community, my sincere apology.
>
> Please allow me to address some misunderstandings about
> conferences in Janelia in general. Many have volunteered to pay for
> their cost of attending the conference and asked us to increase the
> number of attendees. While the enthusiasm is heart-warming, Janelia
> unfortunately does not have mechanism to accept cash/credit card/commercial sponsorship.
> Another reason is because there are limited rooms in the Janelia “hotel”.
> If we start rejecting people based on poor reasons (such as
> first-come-first-serve, lack of expertise, geographical locations,
> etc) then it will be truly unfair to all. So the only mechanism I have
> would be to look for applicants who can contribute.
>
> Contrary to the impression conveyed by my poorly crafted
> e-mail earlier, the conference is aimed to empower busy core
> directors, rather than excluding them. How so? Core directors face
> operational/technical issues daily. Sometimes these problems seem
> uniquely intractable. Bring those problems to the conference, let’s
> find common solutions. It is designed for those who really have unique
> experience (positive or otherwise). While many would prefer a didactic
> workshop wherein the “experts” talk while the rest listen, I like to
> mix things up – some technical notes on the frontiers of imaging
> technologies, discussion of common problems, hands-on time and
> learning session about Janelia’s instruments, how to apply for
> instrument grants, how to brand your core, how to talk to your
> university leadership, as well as opportunity to openly discuss
> funding gap with representatives from various funding agencies. In
> that sense, this conference is unique. I just want everyone who has a
> voice or anything to share with the community to attend – I cannot think of a better “filtering” mechanism.
>
> I frankly do not know if the format will work. This is the
> first time we have ever run a conference solely for core facilities.
> Well, Janelia is never risk-averse. This should be a lot of fun if
> everyone brings something to the table – be it the latest and greatest
> in imaging science, or a stubborn and tricky problem you encounter. I
> just don’t think it should be a basic description of your core or
> common things that everyone is doing. I also don’t want anyone to just
> sit passively and listen. Let’s take this opportunity to help shape the community.
>
> It is a difficult agenda to describe, as it covers many
> fronts. In fact, I keep the door ajar on the conference website –
> bring up any topic you think would interest the community. It just
> might get accepted. I remain enthusiastic in answering all your
> questions or critiques. I do want everyone to have the best chance of
> coming to this conference. Don’t be shy, if you are still confused by my rambling, just e-mail me.
>
> Again, please pardon the tone of my previous e-mail.
>
> Regards,
> Leong
>
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Confocal Microscopy List
> <
[hidden email]>
> on behalf of Alison North <
[hidden email]>
> Reply-To: Confocal Microscopy List <
[hidden email].
> EDU>
> Date: Monday, October 30, 2017 at 6:33 PM
> To: "
[hidden email]" <
>
[hidden email]>
> Subject: Re: Janelia conference for imaging cores - some
> pointers
>
> *****
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> and include the link in your posting.
> *****
>
> Dear Leong,
>
> I was a bit taken aback by this most recent message to the
> listserver
> about the upcoming Janelia meeting. I agree 100% that a
> meeting that
> turns into a whingefest or a simple comparison of what
> instruments and
> problems people have would be utterly tedious. However, the
> implication
> of your list of "do's" for the abstract seems rather elitist.
> There are
> many of us who run large, busy core facilities who are
> stretched so far
> just trying to keep our heads above water that we simply don't
> have the
> time or the resources to attempt to achieve something unique or
> cutting-edge on top of controlling the daily chaos. Could you
> please
> clarify the aims of the meeting as well as whether more
> typical core
> facility directors are encouraged to apply? From our
> conversations a
> few weeks ago, when you first discussed the meeting with me, I
> got the
> impression that the meeting was intended for anybody with a strong
> interest in networking and finding solutions to common
> challenges for cores.
>
> Thanks in advance for the clarification!
> All the best,
> Alison
>
> On 10/27/2017 4:11 PM, Chew, Teng-Leong wrote:
> > *****
> >
> > To join, leave or search the confocal microscopy listserv, go to:
> >
> >
https://na01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=> https%3A%2F%2Furldefense.proofpoint.com%2Fv2%2Furl%3Fu%
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> >
> > Post images on
https://na01.safelinks.
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> and include the link in your posting.
> >
> > *****
> >
> >
> >
> > Hi all,
> >
> >
> >
> > Thank you very much for the overwhelming interest to this
> meeting:
> >
> >
https://na01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=> https%3A%2F%2Furldefense.proofpoint.com%2Fv2%2Furl%3Fu%
> 3Dhttps-3A__www.janelia.org_you-2Djanelia_conferences_
> frontiers-2Dmicroscopy-2Dtechnologies-2Dand-2Dstrategies-2Dbioimaging-
> 2Dcenters-2Dnetwork%26d%3DDwIGaQ%26c%3DJeTkUgVztGMmhKYjxsy2rfoWYibK
> 1YmxXez1G3oNStg%26r%3Dy3Gg5KwygGNfgoACnrKLvtQcoFinbJ43lW3fx-6okTk%26m%
> 3DoavXxPdkIOD_02Y1uWIb-d94fomTTDJoVkzOitn5ibQ%26s%
> 3DQlrIXbaI6uCogvIij3BF1cT0jbuj_TEDTscCqNOAyIg%26e&data=01%
> 7C01%7Ctnf8%40PITT.EDU%7Ce6de35a3d979462ad36308d520144b58%
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> 2BfjRmHWsuCvFw5vdfmSFN8%3D&reserved=0=
> >
> >
> >
> > 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
> >
> >
> >
>
> --
> Alison J. North, Ph.D.,
> Research Associate Professor and
> Senior Director of the Bio-Imaging Resource Center,
> The Rockefeller University,
> 1230 York Avenue,
> New York,
> NY 10065.
> Tel: office ++ 212 327 7488
> Tel: lab ++ 212 327 7486
> Fax: ++ 212 327 7489
>
>
>
>
>
>
>