News

On 21st April 2026 the Electron Microscopy Research Technology Platform (EM-RTP) hosted the third Midlands Innovation Electron Microscopy (MIEM) Conference, on behalf of the Midlands Innovation Electron Microscopy Network. The conference brought together technical specialists, researchers, and industrial partners from across the MI region, with more than 90 attendees.

The programme featured talks on regional capabilities updates, RTP development, national facility engagement, complementary opportunities, plus a series of technobyte presentations from leading EM manufacturers. The sponsors exhibition showcased the latest developments in microscopy instrumentation, peripherals, and consumables, with 15 exhibitors filling the large exhibition space.

The event provided the opportunity to advertise our world-class facilities, including the Electron Microscopy RTP, the Advanced Bioimaging RTP, the WMG Electron Microscopy facility, and Electron Diffraction (ED) capabilities within the X-ray Diffraction RTP.

Special thanks go to Matt Piggot (Nottingham), Emma Hesketh (Leicester) and Peng Wang (Warwick) for allowing Warwick to host the event and creating such a fantastic agenda. Steve Hindmarsh acted as the local host, organising the conference logistics and sponsors exhibition.

The organisers thank Amarjit Gill for her invaluable help and support.

Congratulations to Dr Miguel Oliveira, who has won the Research Enabler award at the recent Research Celebration Awards at the University of Warwick.

Miguel manages the Scientific Computing Research Technology Platform (RTP) at the University of Warwick, where he ensures the facility operates with consistency, reliability, and precision. His focus is on maintaining a robust computational environment that researchers can depend on without interruption, allowing complex projects to progress smoothly.

He is recognised for his meticulous and highly responsive approach to managing the platform, ensuring that systems run efficiently and that users are well supported. Whether troubleshooting issues, maintaining infrastructure, or guiding users through technical challenges, he plays a key role in removing obstacles and keeping research on track.

Through his leadership, the Scientific Computing RTP provides a stable and dependable foundation for research activity across the University, supporting a wide community of users and enabling high-quality research outputs.

Dr Jack Woolley has been awarded the Royal Society of Chemistry's (RSC) 2025 Technical Excellence Award for providing outstanding technical and scientific support to users of the Warwick Centre for Ultrafast Spectroscopy (WCUS).

Jack has been the platform manager since the foundation of the WCUS Research Technology Platform (RTP) in 2021, and his role includes everything from managing finances, purchasing, and health and safety, to training users and designing experiments. He works with a wide range of researchers from master’s students to postdocs and PIs, both at Warwick and from other institutions. He also helps users run experiments, analyse data, and often teach them how to operate the equipment themselves.

Apart from the day to day practical aspects of his job, Jack also invests time in promoting the research capabilities of the facility to academics and supervisors here at Warwick as well as in public outreach engagement activities. He demonstrates the use of his laser at events including the live lab Christmas lectures, Resonate Festivals at Warwick and a local art gallery.

On hearing about the award, Jack said 'There are so many brilliant technicians here at Warwick and across the UK, so to be recognised like this is a real honour'.