Yarmouth, ME-----Fluid Imaging Technologies, Inc., manufacturer of the FlowCAM® particle analysis instrument, announced it has awarded the first “FlowCAM® Student Equipment and Travel Grant” to Karen Kayfetz, a marine biology student earning her Master of Science degree at San Francisco State University, San Francisco, CA.
 
The FlowCAM, which was developed for research on marine plankton, automatically detects, images and analyzes particles and microorganisms in a fluid medium, significantly reducing the time typically spent doing manual microscopy down to minutes. While imaging each particle or cell that flows in front of the lens, the FlowCAM automatically images and measures particles with up to 26 different parameters. The data can then be used to build image libraries, and then sophisticated pattern recognition software is used to identify the organisms.

Earlier this year, Fluid Imaging Technologies offered this student and travel grant to graduate students and senior undergraduates enrolled at a North American college or university who are studying marine or freshwater ecosystems, having a focus on microorganisms. Students were encouraged to apply for the use of a FlowCAM to support their research. In addition to use of the FlowCAM for three months, the grant also offered training, support and travel to an international aquatic sciences conference to present the results.  Proposals were reviewed by a panel of independent scientists, each having experience with use of the FlowCAM. Submissions were judged on scientific merit, appropriate use of the FlowCAM and the ability to obtain measurable results during the three months the instrument would be used.

Grant recipient, Karen Kayfetz, who received her undergraduate Bachelor of Science in Biology from Brown University in Providence, R.I. in  2008, submitted a proposal for the competitive grant titled, Food Selection and Grazing Impacts of Two Copepod Species. The proposal outlined a research project she is doing on a species of zooplankton found in the Upper San Francisco Estuary.

Excited to be awarded the grant from Fluid Imaging Technologies, Ms. Kayfetz, said, “While researching the use of the FlowCAM, I came to realize that it would be the best instrument for my project.  Had I not been awarded the grant, I’m not sure if I would have been able to complete my research.”

Fluid Imaging Technologies has been providing the FlowCAM imaging particle analysis instrument to the oceanographic research community since 1999, and since then, the instrument has been used in a variety of other specialized applications within aquatic markets as well as industrial markets worldwide.

Harry Nelson, Director of Aquatic Sales at Fluid Imaging Technologies, commented, “While attending a conference I learned of a similar student grant program from a friend and thought what a great way to support and encourage young scientists pursuing an advanced degree in aquatic science.”


For more information, contact Harry Nelson, Fluid Imaging Technologies, Inc.;
65 Forest Falls Drive, Yarmouth, ME 04096; Phone: 207.846.6100; Fax: 207.846.6110 www.fluidimaging.com; harry@fluidimaging.com