The deadline is September 30, 2018. For instructions on the nomination process and submission of a nomination, please click here. For further information or questions please contact [email protected].

MSA 2019 Major Society Awards: Nominations Now Open.

The Microscopy Society of America (MSA) is now accepting nominations for the 2019 MSA Society Awards. The Society awards consist of eight separate awards honoring individuals in the microscopy field. You can find out more about the awards and the nomination process on the MSA website. Please note that all nominations are submitted online and must be completed by the deadline of October 31, 2018. For further information or questions please contact [email protected].

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MSA StC Student Spotlight

We had the chance to catch-up with Josh Vincent in Baltimore, MD at M&M

 2018. Josh is a Ph.D. student at Arizona State University. He filled us in on his research and involvement in MSA.

 

Academic Background:

I am entering my third year as a doctoral student in the Peter Crozier Research Group at Arizona State University. I earned my Bachelor degree in Chemical Engineering at University of Maryland.

 

Current Research Focus:

My research focuses on the development and application of operando transmissionelectron microscopy to elucidate atomic-level structure-reactivity relations in heterogeneous catalysts. The catalyst system I study consists of Pt nanoparticles supported on CeO2. I'm interested in the atomic structures that form and dynamics that occur at the Pt/CeO2 interface during catalysis.

 

MSA Involvement:

At M&M 2018, I presented my awarded work titled "Atomic-resolution Operando Observations of Pt/CeO2 Catalysts Performing CO Oxidation". I also gave another talk on work I've been doing to synthesize Pt/CeO2 catalysts with high activity. There are several Focused Interest Groups (FIGs) in the MSA, including the Electron Microscopy in Liquids and Gases FIG, of which I am an active member. This year, I was one of the co-organizers of PMCx62: Challenges and Opportunities for In Situ and Operando Microscopy in Liquids and Gases, which was hosted by the FIG. Being a co-organizer was a lot of fun and great professional experience.

 

I also participated in the 2nd PMCx60 pre-congress meeting for students, postdocs, and early-career professionals, organized by the MSA StC. Like last year, this year's PMCx60 brought science, career advice, and professional networking together in a forum focused on students. I think that there's a burgeoning sense of community among young microscopists that are involved with PMCx60 and the StC.

 

Advice to New Graduate Students:

Challenge yourself to grow. Find a mentor that you work well with and learn as much from them as you can. Be open to new experiences - including meeting new people.

 

My research is motivated by my interests in clean energy and sustainability. I love microscopy, but if I weren't doing a PhD, I would be working on another project centered around sustainability - most likely sustainable agriculture. During college, I volunteered on a sustainable farm for a few months. I could see myself doing that again. I love outdoor activities, e.g. climbing!

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MSA Student Council- 2018 Elections and Successful Pre-Meeting Congress

The Student Council features offices that parallel those of the MSA Executive Committee and the major standing committees of the Society. The officers were elected on August 7 by the students in attendance. All Student Council officers must be students at the time of their election, but serve their terms to completion even if graduating in the interim.

 

The new members of the Student Council are: Cameron Varano, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University (President); Erica Stevens, University of Pittsburgh (President-Elect); Janet Gbur, Case Western Reserve University (Past-President); Jackson Spurling, The University of Tennessee Knoxville (Secretary); and Kartik Venkatraman , Arizona State University (Treasurer). In addition, Ethan Lawrence of Arizona State University was appointed Chair of the Student Council Program Committee, and is principal organizer of the third Pre-meeting Congress (PMC) for Students, Postdocs, and Early-career Professionals, designated PMCx60, which is organized by student leaders.

 

"I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate the MSA Student Council and all MSA student members on the occasion of the first anniversary of the formation of the Student Council," said MSA President Bob Price. He noted, "The progress [the] group has made in only one year is truly outstanding. From the success of PMCx60 and M&M social events to the regional work being done with students and the Local Affiliate Societies, the networking you have provided for the student microscopy and microanalysis community has significantly advanced the mission of MSA."

The second annual PMCx60 featured a dynamic program with plenary lectures by Dr. Mary Scott from the Materials Science Department at University of California Berkeley and Dr. Lena Kourkoutis from the Applied and Engineering Physics department at Cornell University and the 2018 recipient of the Burton Medal- and invited lectures by 15 M&M Student and Postdoctoral Scholar Award winners. This year had a record breaking 68 registrants. Our speakers and poster presenters represented 10 countries and 5 continents. The event included a career networking luncheon and welcome social and closing reception. "As a second-time Program Chair I can attest to the fact that organizing this meeting has been a great professional development experience, so I can only encourage any students or early-career people to get involved in organizing the PMCx60 or with service to the society via the MSA Student Council," said William Bowman, PMCx60 Chair, "PMC provided the opportunity for attendees to make new connections with peers and colleagues, and to participate in the vibrant community of students and early-career professionals at M&M 2018."

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MSA Student Council Appoints New Program Chair

MSA Student Council is proud to announce the appointment of Ethan Lawrence to Program Chair. He is a Ph.D. student at Arizona State University in the Materials Science and Engineering program and his current research is focused on in situ techniques using ETEM to correlate structural evolution during hydrocarbon reforming to carbon deposition processes. He is looking forward to planning the Pre-meeting Congress for Students, Postdocs, and Early-career Professionals (PMCx60) and his two years of experience as Student Council Treasurer and PMCx60 Social Chair provide the leadership necessary to grow the Student Council's premier event.

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MSA Student Council - Call for Applications Extended for Regional Liaisons

MSA Student Council is extending the Call for Applications for Regional Liaison Chair and Regional Liaisons through October 1, 2018.

 

The Regional Liaison Chair will coordinate efforts of the Regional Liaisons and lead the student membership campaign. The Regional Liaisons will focus on promoting MSA Student Council, developing relationships with undergraduate and graduate students and Local Affiliated Societies in their region, and encouraging involvement in MSA Student Council activities at the annual meeting, Microscopy and Microanalysis. A map of the regions associated with each liaison are shown below. Extended opportunities are also available for international students interested in serving as a liaison for their country. Please email MSA Student Council for details.

A description of the roles for the Regional Liaison Chair and Regional Liaison appointed positions can be found on the MSA Student Council website, Responsibilities page. All positions serve a one-year term.

 

Graduate and undergraduate students that are members of MSA are encouraged to apply. TheCall for Applications letter can be accessed on the MSA Student Council website, Responsibilities page. Application materials must be submitted by October 1 to [email protected].

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PhD Pathways Career Panel

Deciding on a career path can be difficult, especially without understanding all of the possibilities. The MSA Student Council invites all PhD students and postdocs to participate in an interactive webinar with invited panelists from a variety of careers with both biological and physical science backgrounds. Panelists will describe their own career paths and answer questions from participants. Sign up to receive reminders, submit questions in advance of the webinar, and join via Zoom on October 8, 2018 at 1 PM EST. You do not have to sign up to join us on the day of the webinar.