Accessing the EM Facility

Accessing the Electron Microscopy Facility at Trinity College

What is the user base for Trinity's EM Facility?

Trinity's EM Facility exists primarily to enhance the science experience for its student and faculty body. A significant component of its mission includes outreach to the larger community.

How can Trinity Faculty access the EM Facility?

Trinity science faculty are automatically granted access to the EM Facility, and should regard it as an extension of their own laboratory and research tools. Naturally, the tools are specialized and their use requires instruction. This is provided readily by the Director, Ann Lehman.

	Access includes use of the EM Facility's instrumentation laboratories, which house the electron microscopes, the darkrooms, the sample prep labs, and the digital image processing computers in LSC and McCook.
	Instruction in every aspect of EM - from sample prep to microscope operation to data capture and interpretation - is provided by means of the summer workshops or by setting up individualized sessions with Ann Lehman, the Director.
	Ann will work with faculty to develop and run EM lab modules to enhance regular science courses. These have been successfully set up for Bio473, Engr232, Chem155, and others.
	Faculty who have research students are encouraged to become involved with the Facility, and to direct their students to take one of the half-semester dedicated EM courses, and then continue to collaborate in their students' use of the EMs here.
	Other opportunities for access also exist - please inquire!

How can Trinity students access the EM Facility?

Students at Trinity can experience the EM Facility in several ways.

	One way is indirectly, in demonstrations and lab exercises associated with certain science courses that have associated EM lab modules (such as Bio473, Engr232, Chem155 and others).
	To experience these powerful tools more intensively, students may sign up for courses such as Bio210 (Scanning EM) or Bio220 (Transmission EM). Although offered under the aegis of the Biology Dept, these intensive half-semester courses are specifically adapted for the interests of the students who enroll, and address both materials and life sciences.
	Once one or both courses have been successfully completed, students may continue to access the EM Facility through the academic year as well as during the summer, with additional mentoring from the Assistant Director, as for example in pursuing research with interested faculty advisors.
	In certain cases, freshmen may experience the Facility through the Interdisciplinary Science Program.
	Occasional summer workshops offer another avenue for learning to use the EM Facility.
	Other opportunities for access also exist - please inquire!

Are off-campus users permitted to use the EM Facility?

Yes, by means of two basic mechanisms.

First, the EM Facility is involved in traditional research collaborations with other colleges and universities, including Yale U, Southern CT State U, UConn-Storrs, and Sarah Lawrence College, which have resulted in prize-winning poster presentations at the local and national level as well as peer-reviewed publications, most authored together with students.

Second, outreach programs are encouraged to contact the Director, Ann Lehman, regarding learning opportunities for HS teachers and others - for example, in Professional Development workshops offered in conjunction with The Learning Corridor in Hartford. Semester-long high school student experiences have also been offered - for example, through Glastonbury HS. Tours may be arranged for interested students and their teachers.

Further questions?

Interested users should contact the Director, Ann Lehman, regarding opportunities for using the EM Facility.