Education and Outreach

Women in Microscopy Conference

In 2021, at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, Stephanie Ribet, now a Staff Scientist at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, and I co-founded the Women in Microscopy Conference to create a space where women in microscopy could connect, celebrate their accomplishments, and build a supportive professional community during a time when opportunities for networking and collaboration were limited. The conference was established as a partnership between Northwestern University's NUANCE Center and the Microscopy Society of America (MSA) Student Council and is held annually in recognition of International Women's Day.

What began as a virtual event during the pandemic has remained a successful annual virtual conference, bringing together researchers, students, facility scientists, and industry professionals from around the world. The conference highlights scientific achievements across a broad range of microscopy applications while fostering discussions on mentorship, leadership, career development, diversity, inclusion, and work-life balance.

As a co-founder and organizer, I help shape the conference programming and mission, with the goal of creating an inclusive and empowering environment that supports current and future generations of microscopists. The Women in Microscopy Conference has become an important platform for increasing the visibility of women in microscopy, strengthening professional networks, and building a more connected and supportive scientific community.

Learn more on our website!

Undergraduate Mentorship | SHyNE Resource REU Program

As Technical Director of the NSF-funded SHyNE Resource Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU) program, I have had the privilege of mentoring undergraduate students from across the country on nanotechnology-related research projects. One of the most rewarding aspects of this role is helping students develop the skills necessary to become confident and independent scientists. Throughout the program, I teach students how to read and evaluate scientific literature, communicate their research through scientific writing, and develop effective oral and poster presentations. Each year, I accompany students to the NNCI REU Convocation hosted by partner institutions, where they present their work and engage with a broader community of undergraduate researchers.

In 2021 and 2025, I had the opportunity to directly mentor my own undergraduate researchers, Emily Clinkscales and Collett Akins, guiding them through independent research projects from conception to presentation. Mentorship is one of the most meaningful aspects of my career, and I take great pride in supporting students as they grow into scientists, build confidence in their abilities, and discover new paths for their future careers.

REU 2021

REU 2022

REU 2023

REU 2024

REU 2025

Outreach Activities

Nano Scouts

Each year, I volunteer at the International Institute for Nanotechnology's (IIN) Nano Scout Day, introducing local All-Scouts to the fascinating world of nanoscience and electron microscopy. Through live scanning electron microscope (SEM) demonstrations, students explore everyday objects at microscopic scales while learning how electron microscopy is used to answer scientific questions across fields including materials science, biology, engineering, and Earth and planetary sciences. Inspiring curiosity at an early age and helping young students see themselves in STEM careers is one of the most rewarding aspects of my outreach efforts.

Future's Unlimited!

As part of Oakton College's Futures Unlimited program, I led an interactive workshop titled MicroWorlds Unveiled: Exploring Natural and Engineered Materials with Electron Microscopy for middle and high school students interested in STEM careers. With support from Hitachi High-Tech, we brought a tabletop scanning electron microscope to the event, giving students the opportunity to operate the instrument and explore a wide variety of natural and engineered materials firsthand. Inspiring young scientists through hands-on learning is one of the most rewarding aspects of my career, and I am passionate about making advanced microscopy accessible to the next generation of researchers.

Educational Videos

Tech Talks and Workshop Talks

Introduction to the Hitachi SU8700 SEM

Choosing the Best SEM

Wavelength Dispersive X-ray Spectroscopy

Intro to EBSD (Workshop)

In-situ Heating and Cooling in SEM

Wierd Science Panel - C2E2

In 2023, I participated in Weird Science! Blurring the Line Between Science Fiction & Fact, a science communication panel hosted by RexTooth Studios at Chicago Comic & Entertainment Expo (C2E2). Alongside scientists from Northwestern University and the Field Museum, we explored how real scientific discoveries inspire science fiction and how emerging technologies are transforming our understanding of the world around us. I discussed the role of scanning electron microscopy in revealing hidden microscopic worlds and shared how advanced imaging techniques allow us to study materials ranging from meteorites to planetary building materials. Events like this are one of my favorite ways to make science more accessible and engage broader audiences beyond traditional academic settings.

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