Meet Teresa Belinova, Image Analyst at IOF, ISTA

As part of our ongoing series spotlighting the talented scientists working at the Euro-BioImaging Nodes, our Scientific Ambassador Magdalena Schindler sat down with Tereza Belinova, an Image Analyst at the Imaging and Optics Facility (IOF) of ISTA, part of Euro-BioImaging’s Austrian BioImaging Node. Tereza, a trained cell biologist, explains what motivated her to transition to image data analysis in a core facility and explores why her role is so exciting. She also reflects on the importance of networks and communities to staying cutting-edge in the field. Here are some highlights from their conversation.

Article contributed by Euro-BioImaging Scientific Ambassador Magdalena Schindler (EMBL)

Why did you become an image analyst?

“I became an image analyst because I wanted to automate things,” Tereza Belinova explained.

“Working in a core facility is great, but you have to be okay in a service role. You need to enjoy helping and working with people. It is a bit like consulting. It is a lot of fun.”

What's it like to work in a core facility?

When asked what makes working in a core facility so exciting, Tereza shared: “Facility work is interesting because you get to see a lot of things you have never seen before. There’s always something new and different. It’s quite rewarding when someone comes, and I’ve already done what they want to do. I’m super excited because I know what to do, and I can save that person a lot of time. Also, it’s great when someone comes to me with something new. For example, live data, cell migration – that’s really exciting, as I get to lean into a new topic and learn a lot myself,” explains Tereza.

One key difference between her role and that of a researcher is that, as she put it, “As an image analyst, my work ends when I provide the data to the user. I do not follow up on the results. While it is interesting to see the final outcome, that is not my job. I do not need to interpret the data or influence it in any way. Sometimes, I learn more about the whole project  after the research gets published. That is just the way it is.”

Tereza also emphasised the importance of strong communication between researchers and the core facility team. Twice a year, IOF organizes user forums to update ISTA’s research community about new technologies and operational procedures, ensuring everyone knows how the facility functions and who to contact. She mentioned that IOF also encourages users to share their most beautiful images, which are printed as posters and displayed around campus. “Light microscopy can be very pretty,” Tereza remarked. “We even run contests and share the images on social media to give more visibility to the research happening at ISTA.”

Why are networks important?

Tereza places a high value on knowledge sharing within the bioimage analysis community. While many analysis tools are available, not all are free, and custom code is often needed for specific projects. This is why exchanging experiences and ideas with others in the community is so important. Tereza and her colleagues are members of GloBIAS, the global bioimaging analysts’ society, and they have recently launched the Austrian Image Analysis Initiative (AI2), which hosts monthly meetings to encourage knowledge sharing among bioimaging enthusiasts across the country.

She also highlighted the crucial role of networks like Global BioImaging, Euro-BioImaging, and Austrian BioImaging in raising awareness about the work being done at imaging core facilities. These networks not only facilitate knowledge sharing but also help identify expertise and technologies available at other core facilities. 

For example, thanks to Global Bioimaging, Tereza took part in a job shadowing visit in November 2024 at the Institut Pasteur with Jean-Yves Tinevez to learn more about how Image Analysis as a service is successfully organised. The financial support offered by Global Bioimaging was absolutely crucial, and she learned a lot during this experience that will help with the development of an image analysis service at IOF.

Additional importance of nation-wide networks is further stressed out on an example of the Austrian Bioimaging/CMI workshop. There, Tereza learned that VetmedUni in Vienna recently acquired a STED microscope. At the time, the specific method was not available at IOF, and if users needed such technology, they could easily refer them to the Austrian or Euro-BioImaging platforms, where access to up to 120 imaging technologies and services is offered. “It is great to have this wider network,” Tereza said. “It is a win-win situation, supporting collaboration and allowing us to send users to the right place when needed.” Although a similar microscope is now available at IOF, the established connection remains invaluable. It allows facility staff to share experiences in machine maintenance, as well as provides connections for scientists to their colleagues working on similar systems.

An exciting job

With a focus on service and supporting others, Tereza Belinova helps researchers navigate new tools and techniques, saving them time and effort. In return, she gets the exciting opportunity to tackle something new and different every day.