New Electron Microscopy Facility Opens at Upstate, Filling a Critical Gap in Research Capabilities
Now open; Upstate is home to a new core facility offering electron microscopy services. The TEM core not only houses a transmission electron microscope, but preparation equipment and facilities to make sure samples are prepared correctly and efficiently.
Iwona Koenig, PhD, speaks at the opening lecture for the new TEM core at SUNY Upstate, offering CNY simplified access to electron microscopy.
Iwona Koenig, PhD says this is a facility she found was missing from central New York when she arrived at SUNY Upstate. “I decided I needed electron microscopy so much that if a core didn’t exist, I needed to make one happen.” Koening is currently an assistant professor of Microbiology and Immunology, whose lab focuses on how the activation and potential dysregulation of the innate immune system contributes to the onset and progression of autoimmune diseases.
Koenig has teamed up with co-director William Spencer, PhD, who recently joined the Center for Vision Research as an assistant professor and has previous experience with electron microscopy. Rounding out the team is Benjamin Zink, who will serve as the facility’s technical director and brings a wealth of experience.
Upstate TEM core Co-directors of the TEM core William Spencer, PhD (far left) and Iwona Koenig, PhD (far right) with technical manager Benjamin Zink.
Creating an electron microscopy facility was one of the priorities outlined in the Research Strategic Plan in 2021. “It’s always a great day when we get to open a new, impactful research core,” says Vice President for Research Dave Amberg. “This is another priority of the Research Strategic Plan that is now completed, thanks to the hard work of Dr. Iwona Koenig."
If you’re interested in learning more about what the facility offers or getting in touch about utilizing their services, reach out to Benjamin Zink at ZinkB@upstate.edu, and visit their website here.