Inside the Microscopy Core Lab

From left to right: Melanie Gaurre, Anthony Branco, Miguel Matos, Mohammed Bagheri Kashani, Porvajja Nagarajan

Imagine an environment where access to learning on high-end instrumentation, world-class expertise, and innovative research is just a walk across campus away. For students at UMass Lowell, this is their reality with the Core Research Facilities (CRF).

Home to the Microscopy Core Lab (MCL), CRF hosts a community of microscopy researchers and learners alike. Offering a variety of microimaging and microanalysis solutions, the lab is a hub to launch the next generation of microscopists and materials scientists. 

Led by Dr. Anna Maria Routsi, Lab Manager, and Miguel Matos, Senior Microscopy Technologist, students are enriched in an immersive learning environment. Recently listed as a Carnegie Research 1 University, UMass Lowell is one of the country’s top research institutions – with just 7% of four-year universities receiving the designation.

Built on the CRF mission to prepare students as the next generation of researchers, hands-on training is a central pillar for students to build skill sets that uniquely position them for future success and independence in their field. Witnessing students’ growth at the Core Microscopy Lab is the single-most rewarding experience for Dr. Routsi, “It’s incredibly fulfilling to watch students achieve milestones like their first publication, conference presentation, and seeing the results of their microscopy work featured in graphic abstracts – helping build their professional brand”.

Serving as a “second workspace” for many students, the CRF fosters collaboration, curiosity, and connection. So much so in fact, that many students return after graduation in their full-time roles, to use the facilities. For Dr. Routsi, this is a powerful reminder of the connections built and the impact that training and support provided: “Seeing them succeed in their careers, knowing the CRF played a part in their development, is deeply gratifying and reinforces the importance of our mission and the positive influence we have on the professional journeys of those we mentor”.

During a visit to the CRF, the welcoming and focused atmosphere is immediately apparent. In one room, the JSM -6390 SEM sits opposite the high-resolution JEM-2100Plus S/TEM – a cornerstone of the lab’s analytical instrumentation. “Our three JEOL SEMs and JEOL TEM are the heavy lifters supporting our research projects and provide critical insights that drive progress and innovation”, Dr. Routsi shares.

Students are trained to confidently operate high-end instrumentation like the JEM-2100Plus, with training sessions tailored to each student’s research goals. This ensures that they can operate the equipment safely and confidently while obtaining great data. This is a fully comprehensive training experience, “Our training starts with the fundamentals of the method, details of the instrumentation, the operation itself, and even the development of methods tailored to the specific needs of their study. We also focus on troubleshooting common errors and diagnosing potential performance issues”. Once students’ training is complete, they are offered continual support. Simply put, the goal is to “Provide students with the skills and confidence they need to operate the equipment independently, while ensuring their success in their research endeavors.”

This student-first philosophy permeates every aspect of the lab – students aren’t just working on the equipment, they’re mastering it.

Mohammed Bagheri Kashani, Porvajja Nagarajan, and Anthony Branco viewing a sample

The CRF supports a broad range of interdisciplinary projects that often push the limits of resolution, technique, and sample handling of their instruments. An example Dr. Routsi highlights is a recent project focused on Covalent Organic Frameworks (COFs)— crystalline, porous materials made entirely of light elements linked through strong covalent bonds.

The “molecular Lego structures” are highly beam-sensitive, and conventional TEM techniques risk damaging their structure. Leveraging low-dose TEM imaging preserved their crystallinity while revealing key features like periodicity and structural defects. “JEOL’s support – especially from the applications team – was critical in optimizing imaging conditions to ensure reliable data. Having JEOL’s applications engineers consistently by our side allows us to approach these challenges as a team”. Miguel Matos shares, “JEOL systems are built to last.”

With the recent Carnegie R1 classification and the launch of the LINC (Lowell Innovative Network Corridor) initiative, the future of the Microscopy Core Lab is brighter than ever. Dr. Routsi notes that the lab’s future is focused on remaining at the forefront of technological advancements while maintaining the high quality of services provided.

New resources are on the way, with plans to enrich capabilities in microscopy to stay aligned with the latest developments in the field. “The Microscopy Lab is working to expand its capabilities to support the cutting-edge technology of our faculty and partners, enabling us to provide the best tools and support for their innovative research.”

In addition to instrumentation updates, the lab is always finding new ways to build community and celebrate scientific creativity. Just last week, the CRF hosted its first-ever Art in Science Image Competition – sponsored by JEOL USA. The competition invited users to submit micrographs that showcased artistic qualities found within their research.

With exciting projects underway, the CRF continues to foster an environment where research thrives and the next generation of scientists can confidently develop the skills needed to shape the future of scientific discovery.