AIMRC Seminar: Explore the AIMRC Research Cores

The Arkansas Integrative Metabolic Research Center (AIMRC) will host Dr. Patience Okoto, manager of the AIMRC Bioenergetics Core; Dr. Prateek Verma, manager of the AIMRC Data Science Core; and Dr. Meichen Liu, co-manager of the AIMRC Imaging & Spectroscopy Core, at 11:50 a.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 14, in BELL 2269. In this seminar, presenters will provide an overview of AIMRC's core facilities, highlighting the equipment, services and research support available to investigators.

Abstract: The Arkansas Integrative Metabolic Research Center (AIMRC) provides researchers with access to advanced instrumentation, technical expertise and specialized services through its three research cores: the Bioenergetics Core, the Data Science Core and the Imaging & Spectroscopy Core. Together, these shared resources support investigators across a wide range of biomedical, metabolic and translational research projects.

This seminar will provide an overview of the equipment, services and capabilities available through each core and highlight how AIMRC core staff collaborate with researchers to advance scientific discovery. Attendees will learn about available technologies, data-analysis resources and research support services, as well as opportunities to incorporate AIMRC core facilities into current and future research projects.

Biographies

Dr. Patience S. Okoto is the core manager of the Bioenergetics Core at the Arkansas Integrative Metabolic Research Center (AIMRC), where she oversees advanced metabolic phenotyping technologies used to study cellular and whole-organism energy metabolism. She manages and supports the use of multiple metabolic analysis platforms, including Seahorse XF analyzers, Oroboros O2K, Promethion metabolic cages and the Drosophila metabolic screening system. Dr. Okoto earned her Ph.D. in cell and molecular biology from the U of A and holds a B.S. in molecular biology and biotechnology from the University of Cape Coast.

Dr. Prateek Verma is the manager of the Data Science Core at the Arkansas Integrative Metabolic Research Center (AIMRC) at the U of A, where he supports researchers with machine learning, data science and computational infrastructure for biomedical research. His work focuses on developing AI and machine learning approaches for analyzing biological, medical imaging and multi-omic datasets. Prior to this role, he was a postdoctoral researcher at the U of A and at the Georgia Institute of Technology, where he developed machine learning methods for scientific imaging, molecular discovery and data-driven materials research. Earlier in his career, he worked in industry as a senior scientist leading R&D on functional coatings. Dr. Verma earned his Ph.D. in materials science and engineering from the Georgia Institute of Technology.

Dr. Meichen Liu is a co-manager of the Imaging & Spectroscopy Core at the Arkansas Integrative Metabolic Research Center (AIMRC), U of A. She supports multidisciplinary research through advanced optical imaging and cell culture services. Her work includes confocal and multiphoton microscopy, fluorescence lifetime imaging microscopy (FLIM), quantitative image analysis and the development and optimization of imaging workflows. She oversees cell culture activities within the core and provides technical support for cell culture and cell-based experiments. In addition, she trains researchers in microscopy and image acquisition and collaborates with investigators to develop solutions for diverse research projects. Dr. Liu received her Ph.D. in biomedical engineering from Louisiana Tech University, with research experience in biomaterials, nanomaterials, tissue engineering and cell-based studies.

This event is supported by NIGMS of the National Institutes of Health under award number 2P20GM139768. The content is solely the responsibility of the authors and does not necessarily represent the official views of the National Institutes of Health.

Pizza and beverages will be served. Please contact Kimberley Fuller, fullerk@uark.edu, for more information.

For those unable to attend in person, this seminar will also be available via Zoom.