People don't think of microscopy as being artistic, but it is. North's role is to help researchers find the right tools and techniques to examine their samples. We show people how to use the equipment if they need help, and then we let them take off on their own.
North is in the process of purchasing new equipment for the facility.
North is also considering various equipment that would allow researchers to do real-time confocal microscopy and handle particularly thick samples. North would like to see the two halves of the facility work together. People tend to separate light microscopy and electron microscopy, but some things being imaged on light microscopy really require the resolution of electron microscopy. I'd like to help people see how they can use both methods as appropriate.