The WCMC outreach core employs four major programs to train scientists and staff, to exchange tools and ideas in metabolomics and to disseminate results of metabolomics research. The outreach program is directed by managing coordinator Jeannette Martins (jmartins@ucdavis.edu). Academic coordinator Dr. Arpana Vaniya (avaniya@ucdavis.edu) develops the course program contents.
Most importantly, the WCMC holds a series of training courses throughout the year for professional researchers, staff, and scientists. Participants get trained in the theory and practice of metabolomics in 4 hour online courses, one-week or two-week courses, using experimental data sets, problems, and software that are uploaded to the virtual machine.
To reach the Metabolomics community WCMC organizes the monthly guest lecture with internationally recognized invited speakers. These seminars cover all fields of metabolomics research with a special emphasis on computational approaches in compound identification, software development, and metabolomics research in different fields such as medicine, nutrition, and environment..
In coordination with the Metabolomics Association of North America (MANA), the WCMC organizes workshops and symposia.
Last, the WCMC enjoys collaboration with 4-8 national or international visiting scientists per year. Visiting scholars need to apply to WCMC Director Prof. Oliver Fiehn (ofiehn@ucdavis.edu ) with a time frame of 3-24 months of stay. Visiting scientists are not eligible to receive salary from UC Davis but must be funded by their home institutions or home agencies. Visiting scientists must participate in the yearly summer training course.
The WCMC’s commitment to education, research dissemination, and collaboration contributes significantly to the field of metabolomics.