August 15, 2017
Stephen I. Katz, M.D., Ph.D.
Stephen I. Katz, M.D., Ph.D.

Dear NIAMS Grantee:

Compelling, eye-catching images can communicate the results and impact of scientific research in powerful ways that go beyond words. These days, you rarely see a news story or social media post that does not include an image to draw the reader into the story.

Beginning in 2014, we have invited NIAMS-supported researchers to submit images for use in our various communication channels to highlight the outstanding work being done. The community’s response has been extraordinary. I want to issue a new call for scientific images to capture the innovative advances that you have generated in the past few years.

Following our first request, we marveled at the wide range of images from our grantees, covering all areas of the NIAMS research portfolio. These images appear extensively on our website, social media channels, public image gallery, electronic newsletters and other venues.

We have created a public image gallery on Flickr to feature these images and videos. With more than 75,000 views, people around the world have enjoyed and learned from the stunning visuals that come from our research. We have also included a "Spotlight on Scientific Imagery" as a regular feature in the NIAMS Update e-newsletter, and we use these images on our social media pages.

Another outstanding way to showcase your images is the BioArt competition of the Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology (FASEB). Several images from NIAMS grantees have been selected as winners in recent years. Submissions are being accepted through August 31.

I would like to invite you once again to submit your images for possible use in several projects that aim to increase public appreciation for, and understanding of, research in diseases related to the bones, joints, muscles and skin, including:

  • NIAMS multimedia resources—visuals will help illustrate NIAMS educational materials, including our website, social media channels, publications, news articles and other related products.
  • NIAMS exhibit booth—multimedia materials will help us tell your stories. Our exhibit travels to conferences of health professionals and voluntary organizations throughout the United States.
  • NIH displays—images representing your research will help visitors to the NIH campus learn more about the work you do, and how it improves public health.

If you have multimedia products you would like to share, we request the following:

  • High-resolution images (at least 300 pixels per inch) suitable for printing, in JPG, PNG or TIF format.
  • Videos in HD Quicktime or MPEG-4 files.
  • A short description of your visual. The description should be written in plain language and understandable to a nonscientific audience.
  • The name of the researcher who created the image or video, along with affiliation.
  • The grant number associated with the visual.
  • The equipment used to produce the image.
  • If previously published, the journal and issue in which your graphic originally appeared, and if it is copyrighted.

Whether you have submitted images in the past or have not yet thought about doing so, we welcome your submissions. Please send your files to NIAMSImages@mail.nih.gov. If you have any questions about this project, please contact Richard Clark in the NIAMS Office of Science Policy, Planning and Communications.

I look forward to seeing more stunning scientific visuals from our researchers!

Stephen I. Katz, M.D., Ph.D.
Director
National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases
National Institutes of Health

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