Ben Micklem

Ben manages the Unit's microscopy facilities, IT infrastructure and Data Sharing Platform.

The Unit's imaging suite includes a Hitachi HT7800 120kV TEM, a Zeiss LSM880 laser scanning confocal microscope, and two fully motorised epi-fluorescent microscopes with structured illumination. Responsibilities include identifying microscopy techniques and equipment to meet the Unit's research needs, procurement, maintenance, and training.

He is passionate about science communication and outreach, has guided the development of this web site, and has produced video abstracts to highlight the Unit's research. Ben is a member of the MRC BNDU's Public Engagement Committee.

Also involved in data sharing initiatives, Ben is the architect of the Unit's Data Sharing Platform, and ensures it meets the Unit's needs. He also provides guidance on data management and open science. He sits on the Data Access Committee for the Medical Research Council's Science Archive, the Nuffield Department of Clinical Neurosciences Open Data and Information Governance Working Group, and the MRC BNDU's Data Access Committee and Information Security Forum.

Ben graduated from the University of Nottingham in 2002 with a degree in biology. He began working at the MRC Anatomical Neuropharmacology Unit (the predecessor to the current MRC BNDU) in 2003 as an Imaging and Microscopy Technician. In 2005 he was awarded a Graduate Imaging Scientist qualification and an Associateship by the Royal Photographic Society.