The Arizona Imaging and Microanalysis Society hosts an annual conference every spring. This annual meeting provides a forum for members to discuss research and exchange ideas, as well as an opportunity for learning about new techniques and concepts. We encourage anyone who works with microscopy to sign up as an AIMS member. Registration for the conference is separate and you can register through this link.
Scientific Poster Session: Undergraduate and graduate students who use microscopy in their research are invited to submit an abstract and present a poster. There will be four microscopy poster awards each in the categories of Physical or Biological Sciences. The awards will be for 1st ($150), 2nd ($100) at the Graduate/Postdoc level and 1st ($150), 2nd ($100) place at the Undergraduate level. Poster abstracts must be submitted by April 6, 2026. Poster format guidelines.
Image Contest: We will be hosting our annual image contest that will take place during the conference on April 17th. There will be awards for 1st ($75), 2nd ($50) and one determined by popular vote ($25). Use this LINK to submit your images. Image Contest Flyer. These must be submitted my Apr 10, 2026. Image contest rules.
Professional Development and Training Workshop: On Monday April 16, 202, there will be an all day Image Processing Workshop that will will introduce researchers to best practices in processing data and image files from microscopy experiments, including Cryo-EM, TEM, and Light Microscopy using multiple software tools. Ethical considerations and responsibilities for data handling will also be discussed. Must RSVP by April 6, 2026. Registration is required. Please use this Registration Link.
Important Deadlines:
Poster Abstract Deadline: April 6, 2026
Image Contest Deadline: April 10, 2026
Workshop Registration Deadline: April 6, 2026
2026 AIMS Conference
April 17, 2026
Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ
Sky Song I & II (Map)
Travel Details [Including Hotel discount information]
AIMS Announcement Flyer
AIMS Winter Newsletter
AIMS 2026 Program
AIMS 2026 Abstract Guide
Check–In
|8:00AM – 8:45AM|
Opening remarks Page Baluch – AIMS President
| 8:45AM – 9:00AM |
Cryogenic Low Dose Imaging for Structure Determination
Dewight Williams, PhD, Research Scientist, Eyring Materials Center, Arizona State University
| 9:00AM – 9:40AM |
Low Dose In Situ and Multiscale Cryo Microscopy on Solid-Liquid Interfaces
Katie Jungjohan, PhD, Group Research Manager III-Materials Science, National Laboratory of the Rockies
| 9:40AM – 10:20AM |
Morning Break/Student Posters/Visit Vendors
| 10:20AM – 11:20AM |
Volume Electron Microscopy: A Nanoscale Window into 3D Cell Biology
Kedar Narayan, PhD, Group Leader and Senior Scientist at the National Institutes of Health
| 11:20AM – 12:00PM |
Microscopy Core Facilities in Arizona
| 12:00PM – 12:15PM |
Buffet Lunch
| 12:15PM – 1:15PM |
Cryo-FIB/(S)TEM of Low-Z, Hydrated, and Beam Sensitive Materials
John Watts, PhD, Scientist and Electron Microscopist, Center for Integrated Nanotechnologies (CINT), Los Alamos National Laboratory
| 1:15PM – 2:00PM |
Vendor Lightening Talks
| 2:00PM – 2:45PM |
Break/Student Posters/Vendors
| 2:45PM – 3:15PM |
4D-STEM
Peter Ercius, PhD, Staff Scientist, National Center for Electron Microscopy, Molecular Foundry, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory
| 3:15PM – 3:55PM |
Cross Platform Techniques in Studying the structure of Plastid Membranes in Various Angiosperm Lineages
Jess Warren, Postdoctoral Researcher, Arizona State University
| 3:55PM – 4:20PM |
Awards and Closing Remarks
| 4:20PM – 4:45PM |