Mariana De Niz

My name is Mariana De Niz and I’ve dedicated most of my research career to the study of infectious diseases and host-pathogen interactions. Microscopy has been a pivotal tool for my work, and it’s something I enjoy enormously. It’s a discipline that evolves so quickly: there’s so much to learn every day, both in microscopy itself, and in image analysis - and all the possibilities that together, they bring. I was lucky to do my PhD in a lab which was at the forefront of microscopy, and have continued to develop my skills in this area ever since. As a science communicator, I have focused most of my energies to the field of microscopy too, both during my participation in preLights, and FocalPlane. In the latter, together with the enormous support of the Latin American microscopy community, we have been highlighting the work of scientists from each country in the region, in a project that will have its first completion in 2025. I applied to become a FocalPlane correspondent because I admire the mission of FocalPlane in terms of democratising microscopy through its various initiatives (outreach, science communication, blogs, etc). My goal is to contribute 12 pieces during this year, among them covering topics such as a) frugal microscopy and its impact in society, b) the impact of various microscopy-targeted funding schemes in developing countries - specifically in Latin America and Africa, c) the impact of organisations bringing together microscopy communities around the world, d) specific initiatives that aim to bring the vanguard microscopy techniques to everyone, e) image analysis: the future, f) the role of imaging in the context of infectious diseases - a historical and public health perspective.

The role of CZI in Expanding Global Access to Microscopy

Posted by Mariana De Niz, on 24 January 2024

Having noticed the impressive impact that CZI has had on bioimaging progress, community-building, capacity-building, and providing support to underserved communities, during this ‘Imaging the Future Week’ we decided to highlight the work of scientists worldwide, who are CZI grant-recipients. They shared with us their successes and challenges, the role that CZI has had on their

Towards global access: Argentina’s Sistema Nacional de Microscopía becomes the newest signatory of the Memorandum of Understanding of Global Bioimaging

Posted by Mariana De Niz, on 4 December 2023

Joining international efforts towards ensuring global and equal access to microscopy technologies, last October 5th 2023, Argentina’s Sistema Nacional de Microscopía (SNM) became the latest signatory of the international Memorandum of Understanding of Global Bioimaging (GBI). We recently spoke with Dr. Yara Reis, external relations manager of GBI and with Prof. Lia Pietrasanta, one of the representatives of

An interview with Sebastian Lourido

Posted by Mariana De Niz, on 21 November 2023

MiniBio: Prof. Sebastian Lourido is a tenured professor at the Whitehead Institute and the Faculty of Biology at MIT in Boston, USA. He began his studies in Colombia, and from an early age developed an interest for the natural world. Seeking versatility in his undergraduate degree, he went to Tulane, in the USA, where he