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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 

Our Director

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)
Lyme Isn't the Only Disease to Worry About in the Northeast, CDC Says (March 18, 2023)
How Climate Change Affects the Spread of Lyme Disease (Time, March 13, 2023)
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)
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.  

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