University of New Hampshire Secures $8 Million Grant for Tick Research Amid Rising Disease Concerns
The University of New Hampshire (UNH) has been awarded an $8 million grant from the National Science Foundation to conduct extensive research on ticks, the diseases they transmit, and the environments they inhabit. This funding comes at a critical time as tick-borne illnesses, such as Lyme disease, are becoming increasingly prevalent, particularly in New Hampshire, which has one of the highest rates of Lyme disease in the United States. The research will focus on three tick species found in the state: the blacklegged or deer tick, the American dog tick, and the winter tick. The initiative, led by David Needle, a clinical professor and senior veterinary pathologist, will involve setting up 22 monitoring stations across New Hampshire to study tick survival, spread, and disease transmission. The project also includes an educational component, engaging undergraduate students from across the state in the research efforts. 
