One drop of seawater contains thousands of microscopic plankton. The Imaging FlowCytobot (IFCB), uses a combination of video and flow cytometric technology to capture images of these tiny organisms for identification and to measure chlorophyll fluorescence and light scattering associated with each image. An IFCB is currently deployed on the central surface mooring as part of the Coastal Pioneer Mid-Atlantic Bight Array, and data is available for research and educational purposes. IFCBs are also integral to other observing systems and platforms, and may be added to other U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF) Ocean Observatories Initiative (OOI) arrays in the future.
The NSF-funded Ocean Observatories Initiative Facility Board (OOIFB) will host an Imaging FlowCytobot (IFCB) Community Focus Group from June 18-20, 2025, at the University of North Carolina, Wilmington’s Center for Marine Science. The OOIFB would like to convene ~ 25 members of the IFCB community to engage in:
- An introduction and overview of the OOI-IFCB instrument and its data, demonstrating how users can access and download OOI data (example IFCB data products will be shared).
- Guided tutorials and hands-on exercises working with use-case scenarios.
- Key conversations about IFCB community expectations for the NSF OOI (infrastructure and data), and what the NSF OOI expectations may be for the community.
A draft agenda outline can be found here. (please note: the agenda is subject to change).
Experienced and new members of the IFCB community who are considering using NSF OOI- IFCB data and/or adding instrumentation to NSF OOI infrastructure; resource managers from national, state, and tribal agencies; and educators at all levels interested in using OOI-IFCB data are encouraged to apply to participate in this Community Focus Group. In-person participation is encouraged, although some options for virtual participation will be available. You can indicate your preferred method of participation (in-person or virtual) on the application form. Travel support will be available, however, travel funds can only be authorized for applicants from U.S. institutions. Federal employees are not eligible for travel support.
Please submit your online application by 11:59 pm (PT) on April 30, 2025. Please be sure to read through all questions in the application, and answer appropriately. Participant selections and notifications will be made by May 7, 2025.
If you have any questions, please contact Holly Morin (holly@ooifb.org). Also, please note there is an IFCB Discourse Community where OOI IFCB Data users can share methods and results, troubleshoot data issues, and create a dialogue with their colleagues.