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NEWVEC

New England Center of Excellence in Vector-borne Diseases

 

EDITION: June 2026

What's new at NEWVEC?

A unique community update for those interested in vector-borne diseases in New England.

 

Congratulations to all those who graduated last month!

A close up of a graduate in black robes and her stole in UMass colors with the NEWVEC logo on one side, Laboratory of Medical Zoology logo on the other side, and "Class of 2025" below it.
 

NEWVEC in the News

Twelve ticks are shown with a hand in the background to show realistic sizes for three species at each of the four life stages.

WMUR met with Dr. Stephen Rich, director of the New England Center of Excellence in Vector-borne Diseases, where he discusses increasing numbers of ticks and the importance of protecting against tick borne disease.

 Watch the interview here. 
 

Summer Academy 2026

NEWVEC’s second Summer Academy, a training opportunity for college students, was a huge success. Eight students enrolled from colleges in Vermont and Massachusetts. They spent two days learning about vectors and vector-borne diseases in the field and in the lab. Updates are coming to the Summer Academy page soon. Stay tuned!

Nine adult students stand in a semi circle holding the tubes of ticks they just collected.

"The experience significantly broadened my love for biology and opened my eyes to many unique and fascinating areas within public health that I had not previously explored. From the hands-on field work to the laboratory components, every part of the academy was engaging, educational, and inspiring.” Dani C., Community College of Vermont

 
Dr. Rich holds a tick up to his face with fine-tipped forceps.

Collaborator spotlight

Tick Free Martha’s Vineyard commissioned an aerial deer survey of the island to support its mission of advancing understanding of deer ecology, reducing tick populations, and improving public health outcomes. The results are consistent with MassWildlife’s deer density estimate of more than 55 deer per square mile on Martha’s Vineyard, compared with the agency’s target range of 12–18 deer per square mile. To see the full results and learn more click HERE.

Can NEWVEC help you and your community stay aware of trends in vector-borne diseases this year? Arrange a community tick safety presentation with us!

 

NEWVEC Deputy Director Dr. Thomas Mather Shares Tick Prevention Tips on The Daily Show

View the full video here.

Dr. Thomas Mather, widely known as "The Tick Guy," joins Michael Kosta to discuss how people can continue enjoying outdoor activities throughout the year while reducing their risk of tick bites. A public health entomologist and researcher at the University of Rhode Island, Dr. Mather explains which tick species are associated with Lyme disease, addresses some of The Daily Show staff's most common concerns about ticks, and shares three key prevention strategies: tucking shirts and pant legs into clothing, using tick repellents on clothing, and performing regular tick checks after spending time outdoors.

Three people hold white flags and pose side-by-side wearing NEWVEC-branded quarter-zips. 

Dr. Rich gives a presentation to Americorps members at a projector screen in a mostly empty room.

A volunteer bends down to carefully inspect a flag for tick.
 

Ticks in the News

NPR’s All Things Considered highlights NEWVEC partners discussing the impacts of alpha-gal syndrome and Lyme disease on Cape Cod and Martha’s Vineyard.

 All Things Considered 

Only have a few minutes? Peter O’Dowd of Here & Now sits down with Dr. Thomas Mather for a quick guide to tick checks and the most important thing you can do to reduce your risk of tick-borne disease.

 Here & Now 
 

What are NEWVEC Students Up To?

Student project “Tick On a Stick” has launched!

This month, University of Massachusetts master’s student Nolan Stramboski, alongside a group of undergraduates, deployed four quasinatural tick plots into the field. This project serves as a pilot trial investigating nymphal tick questing behavior.

Quasinatural plots replicate natural conditions, offering the research team a unique way to collect data on experimental sites.

 

C-VERS Welcomes Owen!

NEWVEC is excited to announce that Owen Deane recently began his role as Research Fellow for the Cervid-Vector Ecology Research Center (C-VERS).

Building upon his research position at the University of Massachusetts Laboratory of Medical Zoology, Owen now contributes to C-VERS initiatives through deer husbandry, Massachusetts Fish and Wildlife coordination, and enclosure maintenance.

 

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NEWVEC, 101 Fernald Hall, 270 Stockbridge Road, Amherst, MA, 01003, USA

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