6th Annual Women in Microscopy Conference Draws Global Audience
The 6th Annual Women in Microscopy Conference, held on March 6, 2026, brought together more than 200 attendees from around the world for a day of insight, discussion, and connection. Hosted by the NUANCE Center in collaboration with the Microscopy Society of America (MSA) Student Council and the MSA Early Career Committee, the event continues to grow as a key gathering for the microscopy community.
The program featured a keynote address by Dr. Berit Goodge, Minerva Group Leader at MPI-CPfs and incoming Assistant Professor at Cornell University School of Applied and Engineering Physics, presenting her talk, “Atomic Architecture: pushing the limits of high-resolution STEM for insight and innovation in quantum materials.”
Joining us as part of the career panel, were Sarah Brown, Assistant Technical Director, Materials Preparation & Measurement Laboratory (MPML) at the University of Chicago, Sandhya Susarla, Assistant Professor, School for Engineering of Matter, Transport and Energy, Arizona State University, Maria Vratsanos, Senior Research Engineer, Electron Microscopy Group – Corporate Research Analytical Lab, 3M, and Alexis Williams, R&D Associate Scientist, Oak Ridge National Laboratory in the Center for Nanophase Materials Sciences (CNMS). The panel complemented the keynote by bringing together professionals from academia, industry, and national laboratories to share practical advice and honest reflections on navigating career paths in microscopy. The discussion sparked strong engagement, particularly among students and early-career researchers.
With participants joining from across the globe, the conference highlighted the strength and reach of the microscopy community. The high level of attendance and participation reflects continued interest in opportunities to connect, learn, and exchange ideas.
A recording of the keynote is now available on the NUANCE Center’s YouTube channel, extending the impact of the event beyond the conference itself.
The success of this year’s conference reflects the energy of its participants and the ongoing commitment of its organizers.