Cell Biology Annual Report 2010-11 (FY 2011) - Department of Cell ...

Centers of the Department
Petabyte tape library.
Cell Biology and Physiology
Annual Report
The Director: Dr. Simon C. Watkins was recruited to the University of Pittsburgh from the Dana
Farber Cancer Institute (DFCI) in Boston in 1991 to provide scientific leadership of the Center.
He is a tenured Professor in the Department of Cell Biology and Physiology within the School of
Medicine. His experience in microscopic methods covers most of the present light and electron
microscopic methodologies.
The Assistant Director: Dr. Donna Beer-Stolz is an Associate Professor in Cell Biology and
Physiology. Her funded research interests are in liver regeneration and vasculogenesis. She has
been the Assistant Director of the CBI for 12 years to this date. She was recruited specifically to
facilitate interactions between the Cell and Tissue Imaging Core and its users. Dr. Beer-Stolz’
primary role lies in the management and development of the electron microscopy component of
the center.
Other Faculty
Dr. Katy Baty is another faculty in the Center for Biologic Imaging as director of live cell imaging;
her expertise is in cardiac myocytes and RNA trafficking within these cells. Another faculty who
has become closely involved in the Center is Dr. Claudette St. Croix. Dr. St. Croix has research
interests focused around the application of live cell and tissue imaging to the lung and pulmonary
physiology
10
Postdoctoral Research Associates:
Technical Specialists: The
technical bases of the Center are
all trained microscopists; in total
15 technical specialists work in
the center. Furthermore we have
a staff of three research assistants
who provide general lab
maintenance and digital imaging
services. These staff are
responsible for the processing and
experimental manipulation of
materials for light and electron
microscopy. They assist users
directly in the application of
microscopic techniques, though
equally they perform complete
procedures for users who are not
sufficiently experienced to perform
their own experiments. They are
also responsible for the day-to-day
running of the Center, including
management of microscope usage,
microscope maintenance, bookkeeping,
solution preparation, etc.