As Director of Mit Biomicro Center (BMC), Stuart Levin ’97 completely adopts a variety of challenges that he deal with each day. One of the more than 50 main facilities providing shared resources across the institute, BMC MIT supplies integrated high-utruput genomics, single-cell and spatial transcriptomic analysis, bi informaist support and data management to researchers across the BMC MIT.
“Every day is a different day,” Levin says, “always new problems, new challenges, and technology is moving at an incredible speed.” After more than 15 years in the role, Levin is grateful that the width of his work allows him to take solutions for many scientific problems.
Lavin brings a wide range of skills required to match the diversity of questions asked by the researchers in the Department of Biology, by combining biotech relationship with biotech relations and focusing on maximizing the effect of center work.
Expander expertise
Biology first appealed to Levin as an MIT graduate as a class 7.012 (introduction to biology), thanks to the charisma of the trainers professor Eric Lander and Majen Professor Emerita Nancy Hopkins. After earning PhD in Biochemistry from Harvard University and Massachusetts General Hospital, Levine returned to MIT for postdorel work with Core Member Professor Richard Young at the Whitehead Institute for Biomedical Research.
In the youth laboratory, Levin found his calling as a informationist and eventually decided to stay in MIT. Here, their work has a widespread impact: BMC works on more than 100 laboratories annually from computer science and artificial intelligence laboratory and brain and cognitive science departments; Earth, atmospheric and planetary science; chemical Engineering; mechanical Engineering; And, of course, biology.
“This is a funny way to think about science,” Levin says that he applies his knowledge and streamlines the workflows in many subjects “really and instrumentation understands the complications deeply.”
This depth of understanding and experience allows Levin to lead to the long -standing Professor Laurie Boyer “described as a state -of -the -art core, which has served so many faculties and provides important training opportunities for all.” He and his team work with state-of-the-art, finely tuned scientific equipment that generates huge amounts of bio-informative data, then using powerful computational tools to store, organize and imagine the data collected, which contribute to research on the subjects from host-parasite interaction to NASA’s planetary security policy.
Be ahead of the curve
With the scientist directing the core, BMC aims to “enable researchers to take the best advantage of biology methods,” Levin says. These methods use advanced research technologies to make things such as preparation of large sets of DNA and RNA for sequencing, reading DNA and RNA sequences from single cells and localizing gene expression for specific tissues.
Levine presents a light, clear rectangle about the width of a cell phone and the length of the VHS cassette.
“This is a flow cell that can do 20 human genomes for clinical importance in two days – reads 8 billion,” they say. “There are many new equipment that capacity is also available.”
Most research laboratories do not require that kind of power, but the institutes, and its researchers, do, of course, of course. Levin insisted that “ROI [return on investment] It is too much to support shared resources because whatever support we receive, not only a laboratory, but also the effect of all the laboratories we support. It is important for our ability to create a difference in the world on the bleeding edge of science. ,
To live on the edge of the research technology, Levine maintains the company’s relationship, while his scientific understanding allows them to educate researchers that are possible in the space of biology of modern systems. Overall, these features help Levin to carry on the limitations of its researcher customers “who is able to achieve.”
Machine
Each main feature operates like a small business, which offers special services for a diverse customer base in academic and industry research. She explains that “PhD-level education and scientific and technical expertise of MIT chief directors are important for the success of MIT and beyond that of life science research.”
While Levin clearly has education and expertise, the success of the BMC “business” is also due to his tenacity and focuses on the results for the core users.
She was recognized by the institute with the Mit Infinite Mile Award in 2015 and the MIT Excellence Award in 2017, for which a nominee wrote, “The leadership of BMC is actually their stability to manufacture high-quality data to make the leadership of Stuart of BMC.
BMC’s lab manager Nalani Camelmela says, “He says researchers and their research first, whether he provides education, technical services, general technical support, or networking colleagues outside MIT.” “It is in service to all users and their projects.”
Tuck in the distant corner of the BMC lab space, Levin’s office is a suitable symbol of their humility. While his guidance and knowledge sits at the center of elevating the BMC beyond with technical assistance, he sits away from the spotlight, who supports others to pursue others.
“Stuart has always been behind the curtain, often a person, who pursues great science, thoughts and people,” Bayer says. “His knowledge and advice have actually allowed us to stay on the leading edge in our work.”
