Since 1870, we have fostered a community where anyone can learn and grow their microscopy practice.
About
The San Francisco Microscopical Society is a community of aspirational, amateur, and professional microscopists. Our mission is to be a focal point for all microscopists across all disciplines of both science and the arts. We welcome all people of any age or background – from those who have not used a microscope to those who have been working with them for decades. Since 1870, we have fostered a society where anyone can learn and grow their microscopy practice.
Sign up as a member to get access to our online community platform and events. These are friendly spaces where you can ask questions and meet people from a multitude of disciplines. Our in-person activities are primarily focused in the San Francisco Bay Area, but we welcome members from any location and offer many virtual opportunities to connect.
Board of Directors
Janai Southworth
President
Janai Southworth is a Naturalist with the Greater Farallones National Marine Sanctuary and a plankton enthusiast. Her background in Fine Art has helped her create visually interesting images of the local San Francisco Bay plankton. These images are used for science communication and local educational programs. In her free time she livestreams plankton online. Capturing the charismatic micro fauna one plankton tow at a time.
Taylor Bell
Vice President
Microscopist, chef, photographer, and all-around nerd, Taylor is obsessed with observing the world’s phenomena from unseen perspectives and sharing those perspectives with the world!
April Ornelas
Treasurer
April Ornelas is a business owner, married mom of two boys and an avid reader and writer. Professionally she is a Project Manager and Bookkeeper with 14 years of experience in the biotech field. She was educated in the fields of electron microscopy and office administration. Life and work experience has led her to a passion for helping small businesses get their financials in order to position themselves for success.
Ken Schneider
Recording Secretary
Ken is a pathologist and biodiversity enthusiast, especially interested in learning about obscure or "difficult" taxa. He is a long-time volunteer in the Entomology department at the California Academy of Sciences with some expertise in the spiders of the western U.S.
Anna McGaraghan
Corresponding Secretary & Editor
Anna is a phytoplankton ecologist at UCSC, as well as a mom, an artist, and an open water swimmer. Her love of the ocean and all marine creatures has led her on many salty adventures. She currently works closely with an ill-tempered phytoplankton imaging robot named Miranda. Anna is the Editor for the SFMS newsletter, MicroNews.
Ariel Waldman
Curator
Ariel Waldman is an Antarctic explorer and microscopic wildlife filmmaker. An art school graduate who pivoted to science, she was recognized by the Obama White House as a Champion of Change in citizen science. Ariel is a National Geographic Explorer and the global director of Science Hack Day. She previously served as the advisory chair to NASA’s Innovative Advanced Concepts program.
Eric Weinstein
Board Member
Eric Weinstein works in biotech as a lab leader. He also volunteers at the Marine Mammal Center. He enjoys weightlifting, swimming, trail running, surfing, or rock climbing most days. Eric’s goals are to get into med school, run a marathon for his birthday, and freedive to 80 meters depth.
Lena Blackmon
Board Member
Lena builds microscopes and tools to help diagnose human disease. Their research interests include biophotonics, microscopy and optics, and signal processing. Additionally, Lena cares deeply about educational equity and looks forward to working with SFMS to establish outreach opportunities. Outside of the lab, you can find Lena growing herbs, vermicomposting, or rollerblading around the Bay.
Jenny Jacox
Board Member
Jenny is the Engagement Lead at Big Sur Land Trust. She loves to explore, whether it’s trails as an ultrarunner, or seawater as a microscopist. Curiosity and a love of the ocean keep her watching local physical oceanography and peering into the oculars on regular basis.
Henry Schott
Emeritus Board Member
Henry Schott is the Co-Editor of Micro-News, the newsletter of the SF Microscopical Society. He joined the society in 1986 and served as president, vice-president, and treasurer in the past. He is a retired teacher from Merritt College in Oakland where he was the chair of the Biology Department.
Myron Chan
Emeritus Board Member
A third-generation San Franciscan with a degree in Zoology, Myron Chan joined SFMS in 2009 and served as Treasurer from 2009-2021. An astronomer, engineer, and tinkerer since a young age, Myron has a passion for turning 'trash' to treasure and has been building telescopes and refurbishing microscopes for over 5 decades.
Constitution
Code of Conduct
The San Francisco Microscopical Society is an inclusive community based on treating all individuals respectfully, regardless of gender, sexual orientation, age, disability, ethnicity, national origin, race, religion (or lack thereof), body size, or microscope preferences. So please don’t be nasty or mean. Be nice. Be considerate. Be civil. It’s easy. If you are being harassed, notice that someone else is being harassed, or have any other concerns, please contact the Board Members of the San Francisco Microscopical Society directly at hello@sfmicrosociety.org.
Read the Constitution of the San Francisco Microscopical Society.
Header image above features a mast cell showing histamine granules, by the University of Edinburgh.