Dear Optical Microscopy and Imaging in the Biomedical Sciences Faculty and Staff,

It is with regret that I write to inform you that the Marine Biological Laboratory (MBL) is cancelling the 2020 Optical Microscopy course. As I am sure you are aware, the circumstances surrounding the coronavirus global health emergency have triggered a series of events that require travel constraints, stay at home orders, and social distancing. Given these circumstances, the MBL has a responsibility to protect the health and safety of the entire MBL community, and therefore, has chosen to cancel the course following guidance of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Massachusetts Department of Public Health.

Given the number of participants (as well as instruments and supplies to coordinate), many of whom would be unable to come to the MBL even if we did hold the course, it is clear that it would not be possible to recreate the full Optical Microscopy experience this summer. If you have any questions regarding the cancellation, please contact education@mbl.eduThe Course Directors will be in touch with you about hosting a virtual event in July where students can hear from Course Directors and faculty to learn a bit more about the MBL.

The decision and steps being taken to mitigate the spread of the virus are disruptive to all of us and I thank you for your understanding during this difficult time. We will be hosting a virtual event for the course in July; stay tuned for details.

I hope that most of you will be able to join us in Woods Hole next year.

Regards,

Nipam H. Patel
Director