We hope everyone who attended M&M 2019 had a great time. Ru-Ching caught up with some local CMMS members enjoying the conference.

Yianni Tousimis, Ru-Ching Hsia, Hyun Park

Emma Bullock

Rhonda Stroud

Rhonda Stroud

Following the annual “Current EM Techniques Workshop” at UMB, CMMS hosted a joint dinner followed by 2 excellent talks given by Dr. Rhonda Stroud (US Naval Research Laboratory, MAS President) and Dr. Jiwen Zheng (FDA/Center for Devices and Radiological Health).

Dr. Rhonda Stroud described her research on the isotopic composition of interplanetary dust particles and micrometeorites and how it aids our understanding of the primitive astromaterials in the early solar system.

Dr. Jiwen Zheng described how electron microscopy research at FDA is used for testing generic drug products and for evaluating medical devices such as the coatings on guidewires surrogates.

Dr. Rhonda Stroud described her research on the isotopic composition of interplanetary dust particles and micrometeorites and how it aids our understanding of the primitive astromaterials in the early solar system.

Dr. Jiwen Zheng described how microscopy research at FDA is used for testing generic drug products and evaluating medical devices such as the coatings on guidewires surrogates.

On Tuesday March 5th, members of the Chesapeake Microscopy & Microanalysis Society gathered at the Carnegie Institution of Science for the CMMS Spring Dinner. Catering was Mediterranean food provided by Mezze, and during dinner informal talks were given by each of the Board of Directors about their role gathered at the Carnegie Institution of Science for the CMMS Sprig Dinner. Following dinner, the group adjourned to the adjacent seminar room to listen to two talks. Catering was Mediterranean food provided by Mezze, and during dinner informal talks were given by each of the Board of Directors about their role in the Society. Following dinner, the group adjourned to the adjacent seminar room to listen to two talks.

The first talk was by Gary Bauchan from USDA ARS on the parasitic Varroa mites feeding on honey bees, and how cryo-SEM, TEM and Confocal techniques revealed that the mites feed on bee fat, not their blood as previously thought. He even brought along a 3D printed mite scaled up to human size, to give us an idea of what it would be like to be attacked by one ourselves!

The second talk was by Andrew Steele of the Carnegie Institution of Science, who told us about Martian meteorites, and how they can be used to help us search for life on Mars. While no life has yet been detected on the Red Planet, meteorite samples of the Martian surface can tell us about the presence of water and organic compounds that could have potentially formed the building blocks of life on Mars.

Carnegie scientist Andrew Steele explains his instument on the Curiosity Rover

USDA ARS scientist, Gary Bauchan, explains new research describing the feeding behavior of Varroa mites on Honey Bees

We had a great turnout for the CMMS tour of the Billing’s Microscope Collection at the National Museum of Health and Medicine on December 7, 2018. Part of the museum is open to the public and there were many interesting medical specimens and instruments on display.

CMMS was able to arrange a private behind the scenes tour of the more rare microscopes in the NMHM storage facilities. A few of the notable microscopes we observed include one of Roberts Hooke’s original microscopes, replicas of Leeuwenhoek microscopes, and a TEM captured during WWII, among many others. While we were not permitted to take pictures of the microscopes, they were certainly stunning to observe.

Following the 1.5 hr tour, we grouped back up at McGinty’s Pub in Silver Spring for appetizers and drinks, generously provided courtesy of ThermoFisher. A great time was had by all, and we look forward to organizing similar events in the future.

Sincerely,
Your CMMS Officers

We hope everyone had a great time at M&M 2018 in Baltimore MD. It was a busy week full of excellent presentations, equipment demos, training, dinners and more. Your CMMS officers were spotted getting down to business at the MSA Local Affiliate Society meeting.

Welcome to M&M 2018, Baltimore, MD

CMMS officers were spotted getting down to business at the MSA Local Affiliate Society meeting

There were big crowds at the MSA poster session with rows and rows of posters, too many to count, and a multitude of engaging vendors on the expo floor.

Big crowds at the MSA poster session

Rows and rows of posters, too many to count.

A multitude of engaging vendors on the expo floor.

We hope everyone submitted micrographs to the MSA Micrograph Competition, if not be sure to submit one next year. The competition was tough, but CMMS member, Gary Bauchan from USDA ARS, won second place for his SEM image of the “Coffee Drinking Mite”.

MSA Micrograph Competition contained tons of excellent images.

LT-SEM image of the “Coffee Drinking Mite”, by CMMS member Gary Bauchan from USDA ARS, won second place in the 2018 MSA micrograph competition.

CMMS member, Gary Bauchan from USDA ARS, won second place for his LT-SEM image of the “Coffee Drinking Mite”

The CMMS Meet & Greet at the Pratt Street Ale House was a huge success, it served as a convenient opportunity for local CMMS members to converge and casually talk. CMMS provided dollar-off drink coupons to all the attendees.

The CMMS Meet & Greet at the Pratt Street Ale House was a huge success

CMMS members at the CMMS Meet and Greet at M&M 2018, at the Pratt Street Ale House

Huge thanks to the Pratt Street Ale House for opening their private bar for the CMMS Meet and Greet

These were just a few of the many highlights of M&M 2018, thank you all for attending, we hope everyone had a great time. Stay tuned for more upcoming CMMS events, as we work to grow and expand this society. We are planing to host another social event and membership drive in December.

Sincerely,
Your CMMS Officers