Manipal – The workshop on Advanced Optical Microscopy: Basics & Applications, organized by the Manipal School of Life Sciences (MSLS), Manipal Academy of Higher Education (MAHE), Manipal, in association with Manipal OPTICA Student Chapter was inaugurated at MSLS on December 1, 2025 by Dr. Sharath K Rao, Pro Vice Chancellor (Health Sciences), MAHE, and Prof. Ammasi Periasamy, Professor and Founding Director, WM Keck Center for Cellular Imaging, University of Virginia, USA, in the presence of Dr. Satish Rao, Director, MSLS, faculty members, industry and academic participants and workshop organizers.
The workshop features guest lectures by distinguished speakers including Dr. Swati Sharma (Department of Pathology, KMC, MAHE), Prof. K. K. Mahato, Dr. Shama Prasada K, Dr. Manash Paul, and Dr. Vidhu Sankar Babu from MSLS, MAHE. The workshop also featured active participation from industry partners including Leica Microsystems, Zeiss, DSS Imagetech, Revvity, and Biotron Healthcare along with a virtual session to be delivered by Prof. Haim Suchowski, Founder & CTO of 3D Optix and Professor of Physics at Tel Aviv University, Israel.
The dignitaries declared the workshop open through a symbolic electronic inauguration of the Laser Microdissection (LMD) Microscope Facility and MSLS Central Instrument Facility marking a milestone in enhancing the research infrastructure across MAHE institutions. The ceremony commenced with an invocation by Ms. Chinmayi B. S. This was followed by a welcome address by Dr. Nirmal Mazumder, Convener, and Associate Professor, Department of Biophysics, MSLS, MAHE. Dr. Shama Prasada K, Convener, and Professor and Head, Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, MSLS, MAHE, presented an overview of the workshop, highlighting its objectives in strengthening foundational and advanced knowledge in optical microscopy.
In his inaugural address, Dr. Sharath K Rao encouraged participants to make the best use of specialized microscope platforms and appreciated the efforts of MSLS in promoting high-quality training in microscopy and imaging technologies. Prof. Ammasi Periasamy delivered an insightful address emphasizing the rapid advancements in fluorescence microscopy for cellular imaging and the importance of global collaborations in accelerating research in advanced microscopy.
At the conclusion of the inaugural session, Dr. Manash K Paul, Convener, and Associate Professor, Department of Radiation Biology and Toxicology, MSLS, MAHE proposed the vote of thanks.
The workshop will run until December 3, 2025, bringing together experts, scholars, and young researchers to engage in lectures, demonstrations, and hands-on sessions. The event aims to foster collaborative learning and innovation in various scientific fields under the broad domain of optical microscopy and imaging.
