NEWS Advanced and well-functioning research infrastructure is crucial for the University's attractiveness and for conducting high-quality research. For an entire day, researchers and other actors gathered to share information about existing infrastructures and inspire new collaborations.
Around 170 people from different labs, departments and disciplines participated.
Image Mattias Pettersson
The infrastructure day was an appreciated forum for researchers to meet and learn more about each other's work.
Image Mattias Pettersson
Alice Kempe from the Kempe Foundations and Associate Dean Anna Arnqvist participated in the mingle at the end of the day.
Image Mattias Pettersson
Panel debate with pro-vice-chancellor Katrine Riklund, Alice Kempe, Ove Nilsson from UPSC, Anna Ramnemark from Region Västerbotten and Oliver Bilker from MIMS.
Image Mattias Pettersson
Those who wished to could present their infrastructure in front of large audience in Rotundan.
Image Mattias Pettersson
During the breaks the participants had the opportunity to mingle in Brashörnan with both new and well-known colleagues.
Image Mattias Pettersson
One of many possible sources for researchers is NorthPop, a large population study.
Image Mattias Pettersson
Nina Norgren, WABI, in conversation with Linda Sandblad, UCEM. Linda Sandblad gave a talk about SciLifeLab in the afternoon.
Image Mattias Pettersson
35 posters with information about various infrastructures were on display.
Image Mattias Pettersson
Both lunch and dinner were served in Brashörnan.
Image Mattias Pettersson
The aim of Research Infrastructure Day was to showcase the breadth of infrastructure.
Image Mattias Pettersson
Around 170 people from different labs, departments and disciplines participated.
The infrastructure day was an appreciated forum for researchers to meet and learn more about each other's work.
Alice Kempe from the Kempe Foundations and Associate Dean Anna Arnqvist participated in the mingle at the end of the day.
Panel debate with pro-vice-chancellor Katrine Riklund, Alice Kempe, Ove Nilsson from UPSC, Anna Ramnemark from Region Västerbotten and Oliver Bilker from MIMS.
Those who wished to could present their infrastructure in front of large audience in Rotundan.
During the breaks the participants had the opportunity to mingle in Brashörnan with both new and well-known colleagues.
One of many possible sources for researchers is NorthPop, a large population study.
Nina Norgren, WABI, in conversation with Linda Sandblad, UCEM. Linda Sandblad gave a talk about SciLifeLab in the afternoon.
35 posters with information about various infrastructures were on display.
Both lunch and dinner were served in Brashörnan.
The aim of Research Infrastructure Day was to showcase the breadth of infrastructure.
Research Infrastructure Day was organized on March 15 by the Faculties of Medicine and Science and Technology at Umeå University.
“The aim is to highlight the importance of access to the right infrastructure to be able to carry out the planned research. It is also about showing the infrastructure map, both in terms of organization, how to find the infrastructures, where different decisions are made and the funding opportunities, which can come from different sources,” says Anna Arnqvist, Associate Dean for research at the Faculty of Medicine.
Infrastructure is a broad term that covers everything from instruments, such as microscopes and lasers, to, for example, databases, biobanks and research facilities.
“This day is a very good opportunity to show the breadth of research and research infrastructure at Umeå University” says Marja-Liisa Lammi Tavelin, strategist at the Clinical Research Center at Region Västerbotten.
She was one of about 170 participants during the day, and one of many who took the opportunity to present their infrastructure through a three-minute pitch in Rotundan. During the breaks, there were also 35 posters available for viewing.
Anna Gustavsson, senior research engineer at the Department of Plant Physiology and Umeå Plant Science Centre, UPSC:
"It is a great opportunity to learn new things and get information about what is available. The equipment is quite expensive, so it's good if you can share it. Our multiphoton cost eight million. It is also an opportunity to showcase your own infrastructure."
Jan Karlsson, professor at the Department of Ecology and Environmental Science and director of the Climate Impacts Research Centre, CIRC:
"It's great. For me there is a lot that is new, so it is good to get an overview. There may be an infrastructure in the neighboring office that you didn't know existed. We could make better use of the existing infrastructure."
Andras Gorzsas, senior research engineer at the Department of Chemistry and manager of the Vibrational Spectroscopy Core Facility, ViSp:
"I think it is very informative and should be done more regularly. I really enjoyed the pitches. But I would like a general overview, because if you are not in the system, it is difficult to know what it is about. And more time for discussion."
Hinduja Bhuvanendran, PhD student at the Department of Physics:
"Everybody is interested in different things so it would be good if it could be grouped so that you can choose what you want to listen to. I'm here to talk to Andras Gorzas and hear more about his infrastructure."
Image Sara-Lena Brännström
Sara Henriksson, senior research engineer at Umeå Center for Electron Microscopy, UCEM:
"I think it has been good. It's nice to see what other infrastructures exists. Otherwise, you usually only use the ones at your own faculty."
Image Sara-Lena Brännström
Anna Gustavsson, senior research engineer at the Department of Plant Physiology and Umeå Plant Science Centre, UPSC:
"It is a great opportunity to learn new things and get information about what is available. The equipment is quite expensive, so it's good if you can share it. Our multiphoton cost eight million. It is also an opportunity to showcase your own infrastructure."
Jan Karlsson, professor at the Department of Ecology and Environmental Science and director of the Climate Impacts Research Centre, CIRC:
"It's great. For me there is a lot that is new, so it is good to get an overview. There may be an infrastructure in the neighboring office that you didn't know existed. We could make better use of the existing infrastructure."
Andras Gorzsas, senior research engineer at the Department of Chemistry and manager of the Vibrational Spectroscopy Core Facility, ViSp:
"I think it is very informative and should be done more regularly. I really enjoyed the pitches. But I would like a general overview, because if you are not in the system, it is difficult to know what it is about. And more time for discussion."
Hinduja Bhuvanendran, PhD student at the Department of Physics:
"Everybody is interested in different things so it would be good if it could be grouped so that you can choose what you want to listen to. I'm here to talk to Andras Gorzas and hear more about his infrastructure."
Sara Henriksson, senior research engineer at Umeå Center for Electron Microscopy, UCEM:
"I think it has been good. It's nice to see what other infrastructures exists. Otherwise, you usually only use the ones at your own faculty."
The program consisted of several speakers, including Alice Kempe, Chair of the Kempe Foundations, which is a major financier of infrastructure at Umeå University. She highlighted the importance of having a good organization, being well prepared and submitting your application as early as possitble – but also having a plan for the future.
“Always dream. Make sure you are ready when there is suddenly an opportunity for money. In order not to lose time you should have a list in your back pocket the whole time,” says Alice Kempe, who participated in the afternoon panel debate on collaboration and future infrastructure and organizational needs.
“I think there is a lot more to do when it comes to coordination between SLU and Umeå University regarding infrastructure. It’s good to meet and discuss, but I also think we need to go to more concrete action,” says Ove Nilsson, director of the Umeå Plant Science Center, UPSC.
Christina West and Magnus Domellöf presented NorthPop.
ImageMattias PetterssonAnother participant during the day who got the chance to give a short pitch was Christina West from NorthPop. It is a research study involving 10 000 families, and the goal is healthy and prosperous children.
“This day has provided a unique opportunity to gather. We have a large database and a biobank, which more people could take advantage of. A lot of research is multidisciplinary, and you need to meet,” says Christina West.
This was the first time Research Infrastructure Day was organized. Whether it will be continued is not yet decided.
“We are delighted that so many people came and that everyone was so active and committed. There will be a continued need for an exchange of knowledge on these issues, but the question is what form it should take,” says Johan Olofsson, Associate Dean for research at the Faculty of Science and Technology.