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Gather in the Garden
Beckman Institute Center Atrium
Contact name: Mollie Stevens
Contact email: mollie@illinois.edu
Contact phone: 217-244-2603
Join members of the Beckman community for informal conversation and coffee in the atrium!
ITG Tech Talk: "Morphological characteristics of the dragonfly wings"
5602 Beckman Institute and on Zoom
Contact name: Teppie Apperson
Contact email: speyton@illinois.edu
Entomology graduate student Siti Fauziyah will present a Beckman Imaging Technology Group Tech Talk at noon Tuesday, March 19. The talk title: "Morphological characteristics of the dragonfly wings." Lunch will be provided to those who register by Thursday, March 14.
Yoga at Beckman
Beckman Institute Room 5269-5th Floor Tower
Contact name: Elena Romanova
Contact email: romanova@illinois.edu
Join us at noon on Wednesdays for yoga with a view! All sessions are free and will be held in Beckman's fifth-floor tower room. All are welcome to bring their own mat!
Life's a Lot
1005 Beckman Institute
Contact name: Shawna Graddy
Contact email: sgraddy@illinois.edu
Postdocs, graduate, and undergraduate students are invited to learn about to help others (and yourself) with improved mental well-being. Lunch will be provided to those who register by March 18.
Carrie Finkill, an embedded counselor in University Housing, will lead the discussion.
Biologically-informed AI Competition Awards Ceremony
Contact name: Diane Beck
Contact email: dmbeck@illinois.edu
The Biologically Informed Artificial Intelligence working group is hosting the awards ceremony for the Bio-informed AI Research Competition via Zoom.
During the ceremony, two teams will present their projects:
"Comprehensive Machine Learning Architectures to Handle Genetic and Functional Information in Alcohol Use Disorder," by Eliza Refaqat (bioengineering) and Anne-Farah Usman (molecular and cellular biology)
"Does Leveraging the Human Ventral Visual Stream Improve Neural Network Robustness?" by Zhenan Shao (psychology) and Linjian Ma (computer science)
The winning team will be announced at the end of the presentations. All are welcome to attend.
MILabs training on PET/CT imaging system
Contact name: Iwona Dobrucka
Contact email: dobrucka@illinois.edu
Join the Beckman Institute's Molecular Imaging Laboratory for training on its new animal preclinical PET-CT imaging system. This comprehensive training session aims to equip all interested researchers, technicians, and assistants with the essential skills and knowledge required to operate and leverage the full potential of this cutting-edge PET/CT imaging system. Expert imaging specialists from MILabs will lead the training. Register in advance to attend.
During the training, participants will:
Gain a comprehensive understanding of the principles and mechanics behind PET and CT imaging technologies.
Learn the step-by-step process of setting up and operating the Animal Preclinical PET-CT Imaging System.
Understand best practices for animal preparation, handling, and anesthesia administration during imaging procedures.
Explore the software interface and learn how to acquire, reconstruct, and analyze imaging data effectively.
Cookie Collab
Atrium
Contact name: Mollie Stevens
Contact email: mollie@illinois.edu
Contact phone: 12172442603
Join members of the Beckman community for coffee and cookies in the Beckman Atrium. The Cookie Collab is scheduled for 3 p.m. on the third Thursday of each month.
Carle Illinois Advancing Imaging Seminar: Joseph Rispoli
Beckman Institute Room 4269 (4th Floor Tower Room)
Contact name: Aaron Anderson
Contact email: aandrsn3@illinois.edu
Joseph Rispoli, Professor, Department of Radiology and Medical Imaging, School of Medicine, University of Virginia, will lecture on "Parallel Transmit and Wearable Receive Array Radiofrequency Coils for 7T and 3T MRI."
Abstract: There have been several recent advancements in radiofrequency (RF) coil development for MRI to improve both image quality and patient comfort. At 7T, performance improvements are achieved through the utilization of multiple transmit channels, known as parallel transmit (pTx). This technique facilitates improving the RF field (B
1
) homogeneity through amplitude and phase adjustments to each channel, known as B1
shimming. Furthermore, each channel may transmit a unique waveform, i.e., dynamic pTx, with the combination of channels generating the desired target B1
field pattern. On the receive side, one area of coil improvement is the trend towards lightweight, flexible, and even wearable coils. By allowing for conformation around a variety of anatomies, stretchable coils can provide a more comfortable patient experience while enhancing the signal-to-noise ratio given the proximity to the body. In this talk, I will provide an overview of our group’s efforts to develop and validate electromagnetic modeling workflows that accurately reflect the design and performance of 7T parallel transmit array coils, thus ensuring patient safety while maximizing the sensitivity of ultra-high field MRI. I will also discuss our group’s efforts to create wearable and stretchable receive arrays to enhance imaging performance while improving patient comfort.
Gather in the Garden
Beckman Institute Center Atrium
Contact name: Mollie Stevens
Contact email: mollie@illinois.edu
Contact phone: 217-244-2603
Join members of the Beckman community for informal conversation and coffee in the atrium!
Yoga at Beckman
Beckman Institute Room 5269-5th Floor Tower
Contact name: Elena Romanova
Contact email: romanova@illinois.edu
Join us at noon on Wednesdays for yoga with a view! All sessions are free and will be held in Beckman's fifth-floor tower room. All are welcome to bring their own mat!
Beckman Interdisciplinary Safety Seminar: Training Your Brain to Increase Resilience and Well-being
2269 Beckman Institute (second floor tower room)
Contact name: Kelly Powderly
Contact email: powderl2@illinois.edu
Join us for a Beckman Interdisciplinary Safety Seminar. Illinois psychology professor Florin Dolcos will present, "Training Your Brain to Increase Resilience and Well-being." Please register by 5 p.m. Friday, March 22. Pizza will be served to those who register.
Gather in the Garden
Beckman Institute Center Atrium
Contact name: Mollie Stevens
Contact email: mollie@illinois.edu
Contact phone: 217-244-2603
Join members of the Beckman community for informal conversation and coffee in the atrium!
Yoga at Beckman
Beckman Institute Room 5269-5th Floor Tower
Contact name: Elena Romanova
Contact email: romanova@illinois.edu
Join us at noon on Wednesdays for yoga with a view! All sessions are free and will be held in Beckman's fifth-floor tower room. All are welcome to bring their own mat!
New-to-Beckman tour
MRI Exhibit
Contact name: Lexie Kesler
Contact email: lkesler@illinois.edu
Come find out more about the Beckman Institute for Advanced Science and Technology! Learn about the barrier-busting interdisciplinary research facility and community of innovation. Tours will be offered the first Thursday of the month from 10-10:30 a.m. Register here.
2024 Beckman Institute Open House: Friday
Beckman Institute, 405 N. Mathews Ave
Contact name: Lexie Kesler
Contact email: lkesler@illinois.edu
The Beckman Institute Open House is scheduled for 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Friday, April 5 and 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday, April 6.
Community members of all ages are invited to do interactive demos and activities, solve the science scavenger hunt, and learn about the institute’s diverse research portfolio, which includes human health and medical imaging; clean energy and green plastics; and even artificial intelligence and insect-inspired robots.
Four zones in the Beckman Atrium will translate these topics into hands-on activities and demonstrations:
In the Molecules and Materials Zone, guests can extract DNA from strawberries; paint with milk, food coloring, and soap; and build a molecular rainbow.
The Imaging Zone highlights how researchers solve problems by looking at the world through a different lens: guests can illuminate invisible samples with light microscopy; learn how researchers see inside our hearts, eyes, and ears; and watch their own brain waves in action.
In the Health and Medicine Zone, guests can cheer on a cyber-octopus as it crawls through an obstacle course, use the Veggie Meter to measure nutrients in their skin, and brush up on their neuron knowledge with the experts themselves (a tankful of sea slugs).
Specially curated for the youngest scientists, the Kid-Friendly Zone features exhibits like “Spying for science,” “Rat v. human: the ultimate hearing test,” and, “Your brain is electrifying!” which involves making a ball levitate using only your brain’s electrical signals.
Guests interested in questing beyond the atrium can take lab tours in Beckman’s basement, visit the (dis)Ability Design Studio, and experience the third-floor exhibit, “Voltage voyage: an interactive electrochem odyssey,” which offers the opportunity to operate a brand-new electrochemistry robot.
As in previous years, Beckman’s Illinois MRI Exhibit and Arnold O. Beckman Exhibit will be open to guests looking to learn more about the institute and its history. Guests can also solve the science scavenger hunt and commemorate their experience with a photo in Beckman’s selfie station.
2024 Beckman Institute Open House: Saturday
Beckman Institute, 405 N. Mathews Ave
Contact name: Lexie Kesler
Contact email: lkesler@illinois.edu
The
Beckman Institute Open Houseis scheduled for 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Friday, April 5 and 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday, April 6.
Community members of all ages are invited to do interactive demos and activities, solve the science scavenger hunt, and learn about the institute’s diverse research portfolio, which includes human health and medical imaging; clean energy and green plastics; and even artificial intelligence and insect-inspired robots. Four zones in the Beckman Atrium will translate these topics into hands-on activities and demonstrations:
In the Molecules and Materials Zone, guests can extract DNA from strawberries; paint with milk, food coloring, and soap; and build a molecular rainbow.
The Imaging Zone highlights how researchers solve problems by looking at the world through a different lens: guests can illuminate invisible samples with light microscopy; learn how researchers see inside our hearts, eyes, and ears; and watch their own brain waves in action.
In the Health and Medicine Zone, guests can cheer on a cyber-octopus as it crawls through an obstacle course, use the Veggie Meter to measure nutrients in their skin, and brush up on their neuron knowledge with the experts themselves (a tankful of sea slugs).
Specially curated for the youngest scientists, the Kid-Friendly Zone features exhibits like “Spying for science,” “Rat v. human: the ultimate hearing test,” and, “Your brain is electrifying!” which involves making a ball levitate using only your brain’s electrical signals.
Guests interested in questing beyond the atrium can take lab tours in Beckman’s basement, visit the (dis)Ability Design Studio, and experience the third-floor exhibit, “Voltage voyage: an interactive electrochem odyssey,” which offers the opportunity to operate a brand-new electrochemistry robot.
As in previous years, Beckman’s Illinois MRI Exhibit and Arnold O. Beckman Exhibit will be open to guests looking to learn more about the institute and its history. Guests can also solve the science scavenger hunt and commemorate their experience with a photo in Beckman’s selfie station.
Gather in the Garden
Beckman Institute Center Atrium
Contact name: Mollie Stevens
Contact email: mollie@illinois.edu
Contact phone: 217-244-2603
Join members of the Beckman community for informal conversation and coffee in the atrium!
Vision and Spirit, and Staff Spirit and Dedication Awards presentation
Beckman Institute Center Atrium
Contact name: Stacy Olson
Contact email: srolson@illinois.edu
Join Beckman Interim Director Cathy Murphy in the Beckman center atrium for the annual presentation of two Beckman awards: the
Vision and Spirit Award
, which recognizes a researcher at the institute who has fostered collaboration in their research and exemplifies founder Arnold Beckman's vision, and theStaff Spirit and Dedication Award
, which recognizes up to two Beckman staff members who embody the mission and core values of the Beckman Institute and demonstrate teamwork.Cupcakes will follow in celebration of the April 10 anniversary of Arnold Beckman's birth.
Yoga at Beckman
Beckman Institute Room 5269-5th Floor Tower
Contact name: Elena Romanova
Contact email: romanova@illinois.edu
Join us at noon on Wednesdays for yoga with a view! All sessions are free and will be held in Beckman's fifth-floor tower room. All are welcome to bring their own mat!
New Discoveries in Extracellular Vesicle Technologies
5602 Beckman Institute
Contact name: Marni Boppart
Contact email: mboppart@illinois.edu
Are you interested in extracellular vesicles? Extracellular vesicles are important mediators of cell-cell communication and are currently used as important biomarkers in the clinic. Come learn more at the upcoming EV Imaging and Therapy Working Group workshop. The full agenda includes campus and external speakers, a poster session, and boxed lunches. All faculty, staff, postdoctoral students, and graduate students are welcome to join us for this half-day workshop.
Gather in the Garden
Beckman Institute Center Atrium
Contact name: Mollie Stevens
Contact email: mollie@illinois.edu
Contact phone: 217-244-2603
Join members of the Beckman community for informal conversation and coffee in the atrium!
ITG Tech Talk: "The new VERSA CT in Microscopy Suite"
5602 Beckman Institute and on Zoom
Contact name: Teppie Apperson
Contact email: speyton@illinois.edu
A Zeiss representative will present a Beckman Imaging Technology Group Tech Talk at noon Tuesday, April 16. The talk title: "The new VERSA CT in Microscopy Suite." Lunch will be provided to those who register by Thursday, April 11.
Yoga at Beckman
Beckman Institute Room 1005
Contact name: Elena Romanova
Contact email: romanova@illinois.edu
Join us at noon on Wednesdays for yoga with a view! All sessions are free and will be held in Beckman's fifth-floor tower room. All are welcome to bring their own mat!
Yoga at Beckman
Beckman Institute Room 1005
Contact name: Elena Romanova
Contact email: romanova@illinois.edu
Join us at noon on Wednesdays for yoga with a view! All sessions are free and will be held in Beckman's fifth-floor tower room. All are welcome to bring their own mat!
UIUC Autism Research Panel with Commentator Temple Grandin
Beckman Institute Auditorium
Contact name: Professor Laura Hetrick
Contact email: laurajh@illinois.edu
Join us for a panel discussion featuring commentator Temple Grandin.
Panelist and moderator: Laura Hetrick (art + design)
Panelists:
Nien-Pei Tsai (molecular and integrative physiology)
Marie Channell (speech and hearing science)
Amy Cohen (psychology and The Autism Clinic)
Tracey Wszalek (Beckman's Biomedical Imaging Center)
Stephanie Ceman (cell and developmental biology)
Space is limited; please register in advance.