*Apologize for multiple postings and the long email* Hello everyone, "*Recent Developments and Applications in earth and planetary sciences of electron probe micro-analysis *". A virtual workshop that will be offered in the period 23-26 March 2026. The workshop is on the use of the electron probe microanalyzer (EPMA) with particular emphasis on modern developments and geological applications. For more details follow the link: https://sites.google.com/view/epma-athens2026 Register here: https://forms.gle/FDFmdB4tVBKq4cpr7 *New for this year*: Dedicated sessions on Bruker AMICS automated mineralogy, oxidation state measurements in glasses and minerals, novel EPMA applications in meteoritics, and powerful software tools for all EPMA users. Meet our lecturers (vol.1): *John Donovan* is the former director of the CAMCOR MicroAnalytical Facility at the University of Oregon. Since 2021 he holds a courtesy appointment in the Department of Geological Sciences at the University of Oregon. John is also president of Probe Software, Inc. a company that distributes software for Electron Micro Probe Analyzer (EPMA) acquisition, automation and analysis. John was awarded the MAS Macres Award in 1990 and the Presidential Science Award in 2010 for his software development efforts. He is actively engaged in raising public awareness regarding scientific issues and lectures on such topics to general audiences. He continues to develop EPMA acquisition, automation and analysis software. His most recent efforts involve efforts to identify and procure high purity synthetic mineral standards for global distribution, new developments in characterizing and correcting for dead time effects in WDS detectors, and investigations into modeling backscatter and continuum productions in compounds. *Ery Hughes *studied Natural Sciences (BA), specialising in Earth Sciences (MSci), at the University of Cambridge (UK) and then completed her PhD at the School of Earth Sciences, University of Bristol (UK). Her PhD focussed on developing and combining various microanalytical techniques for the analysis of volcanic rocks. These included novel techniques to quantify H2O, CO2, and Fe oxidation state of melts prior to eruption, with a particular focus on EPMA and SIMS, on samples from Etna (Italy) and Ōkataina (NZ). She was a post-doctoral scholar at the Division of Geological and Planetary Sciences, Caltech (USA), a Volcanic Fluid Geochemist at Te Pū Ao | GNS Science (Aotearoa New Zealand) and now lecturer at the University College London. From 2017–2019, she was the first student representative for the European Microbeam Analysis Society (EMAS). In 2017 she won the EMAS Young Scientist Award; 2018 the MAS Castaing Award; and 2022 the IAG Young Scientist Award. *Chris Hayward* is a geologist and EPMA specialist at University of Edinburgh, Scotland. He has run EPMA labs at Cambridge (2002-2007) and Edinburgh (2007-present). These labs have had diverse ranges of clients and samples including most types of minerals in terrestrial and extra-terrestrial samples, tephras, archaeomaterials, ores, and experimental alloys for aerospace applications. Published research interests have included the formation of the Witwatersrand gold deposits of South Africa, developments of new analytical protocols for EPMA of crypto-tephras and Ni-base superalloys, tephrochronology, Icelandic volcanism, and geoarchaeology - especially quarrying and stone-working in ancient Greece, field survey, and palaeo-topographic reconstruction of archaeological sites. *Anette von der Handt* is currently a Research Associate in the Department of Earth, Ocean and Atmospheric Sciences at the University of British Columbia, Vancouver. She has close to two decades of electron microprobe experience under her belt and worked with a wide range of makes and models through the years. She received her M.Sc. in Geology from the University of Bonn and a Ph.D. in Geochemistry from the Max-Planck Institute for Chemistry, Germany. Her current research interests include developing microanalytical methods with a special focus on trace elements, ultra-light element (B, C, N, O) analysis, and low kV applications using soft X-ray emission spectroscopy. Based on our experience, we are pretty sure that this workshop will provide VALUABLE new knowledge for the undergraduate students, postgraduates, PhD, postdocs, senior scientists, and lab managers. Every participant will have the chance to learn the basics and more advanced aspects of electron probe microanalysis. The early registration fee is 40 euros and includes the attendance at the workshop, and FULL access to online material (recordings, presentations, transcripts). Late Registration (after *28th February 2026*) is possible, however, the registration fee is increased by 30% at 52 Euros. Therefore, book your virtual seat as soon as possible. For more details follow the link: https://sites.google.com/view/epma-athens2026 Register here: https://forms.gle/FDFmdB4tVBKq4cpr7 *Early Registration deadline*: *28th February 202**6* Finally, we are honored to announce N. ASTERIADIS S.A. as the official sponsor of our Workshop. The company is a leading provider of analytical instruments and electronic microscopes in Northern Greece, supporting universities, hospitals, laboratories, and industrial facilities with high-quality solutions. We sincerely thank N. ASTERIADIS S.A. for supporting our initiative and contributing to the success of this event. More information about the company can be found here: https://asteriadis.gr/en/ On behalf of the EPMA workshop committee, Best Regards, Baziotis Ioannis ---------------------------------------------------------------- Ioannis Baziotis ibaziotis@aua.gr Associate Professor of Mineralogy and Petrology Director of the Center of Continuing Education and Lifelong Learning Laboratory of Mineralogy and Geology Agricultural University of Athens 75 Iera Odos St., Athens, 11855 Greece (+30)-210-529-4155; (+30)-6975967914 Personal site: http://ibaziotis.wix.com/ioannis-baziotis ----------------------------------------------------------------