http://confocal-microscopy-list.275.s1.nabble.com/Janelia-conference-for-imaging-cores-some-pointers-tp7587488p7587507.html
Funding (either internal or external) will indeed be an important topic at this conference. As I have mentioned, not only will shared instrumentation grant strategy be discussed, I am hoping to also discuss the strategy on how to leverage S10 to bolster imaging centers, how to talk about support with your institutional leaders etc. For the international attendees, I also understand that this is a bit US-centric. I think exchanging notes about how everyone work under their local constraints would be quite inspiring. Craig brought up a very important point –that funding agencies and institutions care more about shinny toys than about staffing the equipment with real talents. These seem like intractable issues that face almost everyone, everywhere. This is the kind of discussion we should have. I think as a group we can come up with a memorandum (or a paper) to advise those who hold the purse strings.
Fred asked: “Still unclear what is the purpose of the Janelia Conference- to showcase a few sexy cores and experimental microscopy rigs (which no one else has), or to have a serious discussion on the problems and issues facing cores with emphasis on solutions?”
Both imaging technologies and problems and issues facing cores will be covered. They shouldn’t have to be mutually exclusive topics. I think your impression about the technology talks is perhaps a bit misguided. The reasons why some of the instruments or technologies (scopes/probes/algorithms) are showcased is because they represent the upcoming tools that will at some point be at your facility. Not of all them will be suitable, but having advance knowledge of these would help with your planning (data handling, sample prep etc). There are also technologies (such as methods, probes and algorithms) that are pretty much ready to be disseminated, and those will be covered as well. Knowing the implications and challenges of these emerging technologies will help us anticipate what kind of support/funding/staff we may have to request in the future as soon they become commercially available.
Still unclear what is the purpose of the Janelia Conference- to showcase a few sexy cores and experimental microscopy rigs (which no one else has),
or to have a serious discussion on the problems and issues facing cores with emphasis on solutions?
We have MAD SSCi, but the microscopy core presence was rather minimal in last couple of meetings that I had attended.
Fred E. Indig, Ph.D.
Tel. 410-558-8173
: listserv archives. confocalmicroscopy
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are social and political, rather than technical. Janelia is amazing at
the use of many amazing techniques. For most core managers, however, their
running. Core facilities seem glamorous, but tend to be chronically
requirements, or undervalue them. In my career, I have all too often seen
or operate it. I would suggest that the most valuable information for core
appropriately in training and staff. This is a tough sell as it doesn't
foundation upon which such papers are built. Getting this across to the
: listserv archives. confocalmicroscopy
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: listserv archives. confocalmicroscopy
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> 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:
>
> *****
> To join, leave or search the confocal microscopy listserv, go to:
>
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> Post images on
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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
>
> *****
> To join, leave or search the confocal microscopy listserv, go to:
>
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> Post images on
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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
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> 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
>
>
>
>
>
>
>