You must undergo training with the Microscopy Director before you can use the instruments in this facility. This applies to all students, faculty, and staff. There are NO exceptions.

Dr. Kubow is always available for consulting. Email him at kubowke@jmu.edu if you want to discuss your project and how to optimize your sample preparation, imaging, and analysis.

To Request Training

1. Email Dr. Kubow at kubowke@jmu.edu to request training. If we have not previously met to discuss your project, please include the information listed below. Indicate if there are any points you'd like to discuss with Dr. Kubow.
   
   • If you know which instrument you need to use, please specify. Otherwise say that you don't know.
   • Describe your specimen(s). (What are you imaging?)
   • If your specimens are stained, list ALL stains, including the names of any fluorophores.
   • What is your objective? Why are you imaging these specimens?
   • What are you going to do with your images? Are you going to quantify/measure anything?
2. Dr. Kubow will then send you some pre-training readings to complete and set-up a training time.
   • Access Training Tutorials here

To Gain Access to the 2035 Lab Only

Faculty whose students need access only to the lab space (e.g. for histology) should email the Microscopy Director the student's name, email address, and ID number. The Director will add the student to an approved access list and then the faculty member can request card access via the Biology Department's online form. Users granted access in his way may not use any of the microscopes, analysis workstations, or the 3D printer.

Usage Fees

Hourly usage fees are determined by the user's type of institution/company and, in the case of academic and non-profit institutions, by the availability of funding. Users without any extramural or institutional funding should contact the Director to discuss options. The Microscopy Facility seeks to provide an open research and educational resource to JMU and the Northern Shenandoah region. JMU Biology Department faculty, staff, and students are not assessed fees, but are strongly encouraged to include funding for their anticipated use in their grant applications. 

All rates are in dollars per hour. Assisted use and training rates = usage fee + surcharge.

Attribution

Users must acknowledge the “JMU Biology Department’s Light Microscopy and Imaging Facility (RRID:SCR_021904)” in all publications and presentations that include data acquired in the facility. The RRID is unique number that identifies the facility similar to an ORCID number for researchers.