Training

The Facility Core provides a number of one-on-one training opportunities for SWEHSC faculty, staff, students and post-docs. These can be formal training opportunities related to a specific instrument/technique, or informal explanations tailored to a specific research question.

Instruments

Mr. Cromey has specific expertise in light, confocal, superresolution, and electron microscopy, as well as image analysis and time-lapse imaging of live cells. He can provide the following types of instrument-specific training:

  • Laboratory light microscopes - There are a number of very nice light microscopes in research labs that are often poorly used, dirty, and mis-aligned. Mr. Cromey can teach your lab staff how to care for, and align, your lab microscope so that it is used properly and will last for a long time. No cost for the laboratories of SWEHSC investigators.
  • UACC Spinning disk confocal (Nikon) - Mr. Cromey previously managed this instrument and can provide hands-on support for SWEHSC users. 
  • RII Zeiss LSM880 confocal microscopes - Mr. Cromey can provide hands-on support and training for SWEHSC users on these microscopes.
  • Light Microscopes and Image analysis workstations - Learn how to use these instruments to acquire images for a specific research purpose or for performing an image analysis experiment. The Leica DMI6000 costs $12/hr to use (2022), the image analysis workstation is freely available. There is no cost to SWEHSC investigators for any additional off-microscope consultation.
  • Electron microscopy - while Mr. Cromey does not provide instrument training for the TEM, he does have 15 years of electron microcopy experience that users can tap into when preparing and interpreting their experiements. 
  • Superresolution Structured Illumination Microscope (SR-SIM) - Mr. Cromey manages this instrument and provides all the training and technical support. New users learn about the optics and mathematics behind this technique. The cost for training is $98/hr (approximately 4hrs) and then regular use is $48/hr (2022).
  • Other instrument training (not specifically provided by the Cellular Imaging Resource) - Interested users can contact the other facilities (Flow Cytometry, TACMASR) associated with the Resource to receive training directly from the staff in those facilities. There are fees associated with the training and/or equipment use, follow the web links to learn more details.

Please note: since RII pays a portion of Mr. Cromey's salary, there is a personel/training charge when using the RII cores, along with the standar hourly usage fees. Using the SWEHSC subsidy account for such charges reduces the cost for the invesigator.

Digital Imaging

  • Introduction to Scientific Digital Imaging - A four hour workshop that has traditionally been given annually. We are currently in the process of transitioning this workshop to an on-line learning platform so that it can be available year-round.
  • Digital imaging software - Learn how to correctly use Adobe Photoshop to process digital images and set up figures for publications. No cost for the laboratories of SWEHSC investigators.
  • Digital imaging ethics - Take advantage of Mr. Cromey's expertise in this area. Allow us to teach you, your students, staff and post-docs how to correctly work with digital images. You can review a list of image ethics guidelines (Digital Imaging: Ethics) and Mr. Cromey was a contributing author for the Online Learning Tool for Research Integrity and Image Processing (a case-study based learning tool, this site was funded by a grant from the US Office of Research Integrity).

Other ways to learn more

Visit our award winning Microscopy & Imaging Resources pages (now on the UA Microscopy Alliance), or browse our long list of PDF tutorials, tip sheets and handouts (now on the UA Microscopy Alliance).

The following opportunities are not specific to the Cellular Imaging Resource, but are available on the UA campus:

  • Microscopy-related workshops & seminars are announced regularly on the UA Microscopy Alliance website (a project developed and supported by Mr. Cromey).
  • Fundamentals of Light Microscopy & Electronic Imaging - CMM 565A This is a lecture/hands-on course that teaches the essential principles and applications of light microscopy and electronic imaging.  By the end of the course, you will be able to use and adjust a research microscope for various modes of light microscopy. Instructor: Dr. Padilla-Rodriguez.
  • Human Histology - CMM 410/510 (3 units, taught during summer pre-session), This course will provide pre-health science professions students as well as students planning a career in biomedical research with essential background in functional morphology of human tissues and organs. Instructor: Dr. Amerongen
  • Pathology 515 - (spring semester) The course is designed for graduate students training for a career in biomedical research. The goal of the course is to expand and extend the student's knowledge of normal structure and function, into the realm of disease processes. Instructor: Dr. Breihl.
  • UA Computer Based Training (CBT) - free (to UA affiliates with a UANetID) on-line training videos for a wide variety of software (including Photoshop, Illustrator, Corel and Paintshop Pro). A broadband connection is required. As part of the campus license for Adobe Creative Cloud, campus users have access to a large collection of tutorials for users of Adobe Creative Cloud. The UA's Edge learning includes a subscription to LinkedIN Learning, which includes thousands of courses, with many on familiar software titles.
  • UA Office of Student Computing Resources - free access to multimedia equipment for UA faculty, staff & students, with access to knowledgible staff. Also, there is also a Gear-to-Go center, where campus users can check out video cameras, lighting, DSLRs, etc.