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tiny ticks in a syringe in liquid in a lab setting
August 27, 2024

New Northeastern lab plumbs the mysteries of the ticks and bacteria that cause Lyme 

Constantin Takacs of Northeastern loves to study black-legged deer ticks and Borrelia burgdorferi, and that is good news for everybody else

Latest Reads

This Northeastern graduate started a comedy podcast. It changed her science career

‘Facts Machine,’ combining science trivia with a live show, inspired the Northeastern graduate to focus on making science accessible.

From bestselling novels to unpublished manuscripts, what is the secret to literary success?

Social media, celebrity book clubs and the conglomeration of publishing houses all make publishing tricky to navigate.

Engineering leadership and innovation: Michael Silevitch’s enduring legacy at Northeastern

“Perhaps more than any other person, Michael has led our transformation to a global research powerhouse,” says Provost David Madigan.

Sheila Puffer became a top expert on post-Soviet Russia’s free market. Her Northeastern career outlasted it

The international business professor watched capitalism in Russia rise and fall during her 36-year tenure.

Headshot of Sheila Puffer.

They’re living boulders on the ocean floor. Northeastern research explains the mysterious corallith

Mark Patterson, a professor at Northeastern University, studied hundreds of coralliths off the coast of the Florida Keys.

A diver approaching and observing coral under beautiful blue ocean water.

Wendy Parmet became a public health giant. In true Northeastern fashion, it started with a co-op

Over a four-decade career, the distinguished law professor has emerged as a leading authority on disability and public health law.

Headshot of Wendy Parmet.

Sarah Levy seeks an Olympic gold medal 10 years after she fell in love with rugby at Northeastern

“A year ago I didn’t think I would be here,” says Levy, among 13 Americans competing in women’s rugby sevens at the Paris Games July 28-30.

Sarah Levy running with the rugby ball.

How an underdog rower from Northeastern earned a place in the Paris Olympics

Jacob Plihal, a 6-foot-10 former Huskies captain, will make his Olympic debut in the men’s single sculls on July 27 in Paris.

Jacob Plihal in a USA uniform, as he is mid-stroke while rowing across a river.

She got her name from a childhood lightning strike. Then this Northeastern grad electrified the rock scene.

Britt Lightning, the lead guitarist for Vixen, Rachel Platten and Jason Derulo, graduated with a music business degree in 2009.

Britt Lightning throws her head back while playing the guitar on stage.

Pran Nath, Northeastern’s longest-tenured professor, pursues the beautiful mysteries of physics

The world-renowned researcher continues to explore the secrets of the universe after 58 years at Northeastern.

How has the sport of rowing evolved in the past 50 years?

Andrew Neils, a scientist at Northeastern and former U.S. Rowing Team member, details the changes, from lighter materials to blade design.

Rowers carrying their rowboat out of the water at dusk. Geese fly overhead.

Can we make ‘citizen science’ better?

Northeastern University researchers are on the forefront of improving partnerships between scientists and communities.

Over a light green background, scientists wearing lab coats stand on a platform held by hands with the Earth's globe floating above.

This music technology class takes students back through history — way, way back

In MUSC 2320: 40,000 Years of Music Technology, James Gutierrez traces innovations from Paleolithic-era bone flutes to theremins and AI.

James Guitierrez playing the violin.

 A ‘tremendous opportunity.’ Northeastern researchers dig into Boston’s past in support of Boston’s Reparations Task Force

The Northeastern research team, focusing on 1940 to the present, is led by distinguished professors Margaret Burnham and Ted Landsmark.

Molly Brown holding a black and white photo with a gloved hand.

US homicides and violent crime overall are down significantly, according to FBI data

Northeastern criminologist James Alan Fox says media coverage of decreasing crime would help “calm some of the public fear.”

Two police officers stand outside at night near yellow crime tape while a police cruiser's red and blue lights flash in the distance.

The next generation of wireless communication is being built at Northeastern and this researcher is leading the charge

Professor Tommaso Melodia has helped transform Northeastern University into one of the premier centers for wireless communications research.

Tommaso Melodia working inside of ISEC.

AI is transforming sports for the better, Northeastern baseball legend Carlos Peña says

The Huskies Hall-of-Famer used AI to solve a nagging riddle of his career, revealing baseball as “a lot less random than we believe it is.”

A stylized time lapse photo of a baseball player running in front of a dark studio background.

Pompey was elected a Colonial-era ‘king.’ Did researchers find the foundation of his home outside Boston?

“It gives us renewed appreciation for King Pompey and the celebration electing Black kings and governors in New England,” Baumgartner says.

Kabria Baumgartner and a UNH researcher digging.

This Northeastern physicist is revolutionizing astronomy with unprecedented dark matter mapping through space observatory in Chile

The Vera C. Rubin Observatory’s Legacy Survey of Space and Time could revolutionize our understanding of the universe, Jonathan Blazek says

An illustration showing a space observatory in Chile with a telescope the size of an SUV looking out into a night sky in the style of Van Gogh's Starry Night.

In between teaching and practicing, this Northeastern professor finds time to coach a Boston sled hockey team

Physical therapy professor Luke Brisbin helps out the players on Boston I.C.E. Storm’s adaptive ice hockey team.

Boston ICE Storm team photo.

Dominique Biron turned weaknesses into strengths on her way to the NCAA track and field championships

The fifth-year Northeastern heptathlete has dealt with ADHD and anxiety while competing at the highest level.

Dominique Beron jumping over a hurdle.

Your podcast needs a theme song. Good Dog Licensing can help

This student-run Northeastern organization connects musicians with creatives looking to make their projects sing.

A brown french bulldog with sunglasses and white over the ear headphones.

Fiona Howard’s body was collapsing. Now she’s a world-ranked dressage rider aiming for the Paris Paralympics

After nearly dying, the 2021 graduate and experienced equestrian had to learn to ride all over again.

Fiona Howard riding dressage on her horse.

Why James Corden is looking to use tax breaks to build on Barbie’s success and woo more Hollywood filming to Britain

The ex Late Late Show host’s plan for a studio in NE England is part of government-backed efforts to keep film stars flocking to Britain.

A behind the scenes shot of Margot Robbie and Ryan Gosling in a pink car filming on the set of Barbie.

PWHL championship series revolves around former Northeastern star Aerin Frankel

Frankel made 30 saves to lead Boston to a 4-3 win at the Tsongas Center in Lowell. Game 2 of the best-of-five series is 7 p.m. Tuesday.

Aerin Frankel saving a shot on net in a PWHL game.

‘Double Husky’ John Lam is retiring from Boston Ballet. He’ll be busier than ever

The 20-year ballet veteran has balanced fatherhood, college and the grueling demands of life as an elite professional dancer.

John Lam dancing, midair in black and white.