Lyme and Tickborne Diseases Research and Education Institute
About the Institute
The Johns Hopkins Lyme and Tickborne Diseases Research and Education Institute is led by inaugural director Nicole Baumgarth, PhD, DVM. The Institute resides in the Bloomberg School’s Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology (MMI). Baumgarth leads the Institute’s research in four areas: vector/tick biology, epidemiology, microbiology, and host immune defense. The Institute focuses on research training and public outreach centered around the increasing threats of Lyme and other tickborne diseases to public health. In addition to Lyme disease, ticks play a role as carriers and reservoirs in over a dozen lesser-known diseases. Some, like Rocky Mountain spotted fever, are caused by bacteria, while others are caused by parasites or viruses.
Mission
Leading research and education on Lyme and other tickborne diseases to advance public health
Nicole Baumgarth's vision for the Institute
Nicole Baumgarth, PhD, DVM
Nicole Baumgarth, DVM, PhD, leads efforts to eliminate threats from tickborne diseases, such as Lyme. She studies why some immune responses to infections are successful and others are not.
Professor Nicole Baumgarth at the Bloomberg School.
Institute News
Ticks and Tickborne Diseases Symposium
More than 100 researchers, principal investigators, and other leaders in the field of Lyme and tickborne diseases convened in person at the Bloomberg School on May 3 for the Ticks and Tickborne Diseases symposium, which charted current research and future priorities and was an opportunity for tickborne disease researchers to exchange ideas, discuss tickborne disease trends, and spotlight the latest research findings in this critical and ever-changing field.
Tickborne Diseases Research at JHU
The Ticks and Tickborne Diseases Symposium began with an overview of research happening across Johns Hopkins which focuses on tickborne diseases. In addition to an overview of LTBDI, the attendees were able to learn more about the Johns Hopkins.
With a background in immunology, veterinary medicine, and infectious disease, Nicole Baumgarth discusses her vision for the Institute
Lyme disease expert Nicole Baumgarth joins Johns Hopkins as Bloomberg Distinguished Professor
Tick Talk: A Q&A with Nicole Baumgarth
The Inaugural Director of the Lyme and Tickborne Diseases Research and Education Institute tackles the growing threat of tickborne illnesses
Bloomberg School Names Lyme and Tickborne Diseases Institute Director
Researcher Nicole Baumgarth, known for her expertise with Borrelia burgdorferi, guides the Institutes research training and public outreach focused on the increasing threats of Lyme and other tickborne diseases to public health
GameChanger: Nicole Baumgarth
Baltimore Magazine profiles our Institute Director whose work and mission is focused on the fight against tickborne diseases
Tickborne Diseases in the News
Ticks Are Bringing Disease to a Backyard Near You (April 12, 2023)
Wall Street Journal
April 12, 2023
Ticks Are Bringing Disease to a Backyard Near You: Bites, infections are increasing as temperatures warm and deer populations grow
Lyme Isn't the Only Disease to Worry About in the Northeast, CDC Says (March 18, 2023)
New York Times
March 18, 2023
Lyme Isn't the Only Tick Disease to Worry About in the Northeast, CDC says
How Climate Change Affects the Spread of Lyme Disease (Time, March 13, 2023)
Time
March 13, 2023
How Climate Change Affects the Spread of Lyme Disease
Deer ticks are benefiting from warming winters in the Northeast. That's raising health concerns (WBUR, February 28, 2023)
WBUR (Boston, MA)
February 28, 2023
Deer ticks are benefiting from warming winters in the Northeast. That's raising health concerns
As winters in the region become more mild, adult deer ticks are becoming more active at a time when they’re normally dormant – causing a bigger public health risk.
U.S. Man's Death Suggests Deadly Tick Virus Is Spreading to New Regions (Gizmodo, February 24, 2023)
Gizmodo
February 24, 2023
U.S. Man's Death Suggests Deadly Tick Virus Is Spreading to New Regions
The rare Heartland virus likely killed a man in 2021, in the first case traced to the Maryland and Virginia area
A Tick Bite Made Them Allergic to Meat (The Atlantic, April 2022)
The Atlantic
April 25, 2022
A Tick Bite Made Them Allergic to Meat: And an organ-transplant company has an unexpected solution
How to Stay Safe During Tick Season (New York Times, May 2022)
New York Times
May 27, 2022
How to Stay Safe During Tick Season
Support the Lyme and Tickborne Diseases Research and Education Institute
The Institute welcomes and appreciates gifts of all kinds. Some donors choose to make a monthly contribution. Other members of our community, including those who have been impacted by Lyme and other tickborne diseases, give gifts of $50 or less. All contributions to study and combat these vicious diseases are accepted with appreciation.