Posts Tagged ‘webinar’

The second webinar in the Ocean Observatories Initiative Facility Board (OOIFB) four-part IFCB webinar series focused on time/moored-based Imaging FlowCytobot (IFCB) deployments and the challenges of operating IFCBs on sustained ocean observing platforms.

The webinar speakers were Kylene Cooley, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution (WHOI), who leads IFCB operations for the OOI Pioneer Mid-Atlantic Bight (MAB) Array, and Kasia Kenitz, Southern California Coastal Ocean Observing System, who discussed IFCB operations on the Del Mar Mooring in the California IFCB Network. Both shared practical lessons from deploying and maintaining IFCBs in long-term, moored observing systems.

Cooley shared lessons from deploying IFCBs on the Pioneer MAB Array, where the instruments operate for extended periods with limited physical access and satellite communications. She discussed the importance of preparing and testing the IFCB before deployment, including pressure and power testing, instrument burn-in, automatic startup configuration, and coordination with the mooring team. She also described challenges encountered during deployments, including biofouling, power supply issues, instrument alignment, and weather conditions that can limit access to the moorings.

Kenitz described IFCB operations on the Del Mar Mooring, where the instrument is solar-powered and uses cellular communications for near-real-time data transfer and remote monitoring. Increased solar capacity has allowed the IFCB to sample more frequently, moving from every three to four hours to every one to two hours. She also discussed challenges with operating the IFCB alongside other sensors, including mechanical pump noise that can interfere with velocity measurements. Both presentations highlighted the importance of routine cleaning, antifouling measures, remote monitoring, and pre-deployment testing for long-term IFCB deployments.

The remaining webinars in the series will focus on space/ship-based IFCBs and experiments and lab-based studies. To learn more, view webinar recordings, and find upcoming dates, visit the OOIFB webpage.

The first IFCB webinar in a new community-driven series brought together researchers and operators to share knowledge, practical guidance, and future plans for Imaging FlowCytobot (IFCB) applications.

The webinar series, hosted by the Ocean Observatories Initiative Facilities Board (OOIFB), was inspired by a 2025 IFCB focus group and aims to strengthen collaboration around IFCB and Ocean Observatories Initiative (OOI) images and data products (access links here). Organizers outlined plans for future sessions, including topics such as moored IFCB deployments and applications on the OOI Pioneer Array, as well as the development of teaching resources and a community manuscript.

The focus of the first webinar was best practices for IFCB operation and deployment. The speakers emphasized that successful use begins with thorough training and hands-on experience in laboratory settings. From there, considerations expand to include water delivery systems, power and communication integration, and consistent system monitoring, especially for shore-side, shipboard, and offshore mooring deployments. Post-deployment care, including data backup, system checks, and routine maintenance, was highlighted as essential for long-term instrument performance.

Tom Fougere of McLane Research Laboratories emphasized the importance of reliable infrastructure (especially water flow, power stability, and communications) for shipboard and shore-based IFCB operations, while Dr. Sophie Clayton of the National Oceanography Centre (NOC) highlighted a best practices guide from the Operational Phytoplankton Observations Working Group addressing key challenges in phytoplankton imaging, including metadata standards, data management, uncertainty, and instrument diagnostics. Together, these perspectives reinforced that robust metadata capture, standardized workflows, and proactive maintenance are essential for producing high-quality datasets, alongside careful attention to calibration, system cleaning, and sampling strategies in low-density environments.

To learn more and view upcoming topics and dates for the next IFCB webinars, visit the OOIFB webpage.