What’s new at NEWVEC? September Newsletter

EDITION: September 2026

What's new at NEWVEC?

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

NEWVEC Team on Local Amherst Bulletin:

Dr. Tom Mathers, Dr. Stephen Rich, and Umass Master’s student Jacqueline Borges, collaborate with Amherst Bulletin to outline factors that cause the rise of tick populations in New England.

Read Article Here

U-Maine Tick Surveillance Program: Annual Report 2025

University of Maine’s Extension Tick Surveillance Program has released its 7th Tick Surveillance Program Annual Report. Ranging from tick species identification to information on human risk, this sixteen page report aims to create an integrated approach to understanding the threat of tick-borne diseases.

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

Read Report Here

Chappaquiddick Tick Research Webinar

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 affect nearly everyone on Chappaquiddick. Hear a replay of an informative webinar to learn about an exciting new research study that will soon begin on the island. Learn about “Project Chappy” the 5-year, government funded study being conducted by the New England Center of Excellence in vector-borne diseases. NEWVEC’s Dr. Stephen Rich and Dr. Thomas Mather will explain the Chappaquiddick tick study, its goals, and why this research is so important. He will also introduce the study team, including Dr. Andrew Li (USDA) and Dr. Lars Eisen (CDC).

This is a unique opportunity to hear directly from some of the country’s leading tick researchers about cutting-edge science taking place on Chappaquiddick.

View the video here

NEWVEC in the News

Tick season is getting worse. Can managing deer help?

Learn more on NPR’s Morning Edition

NEWVEC’s Dr. Stephen Rich and other tick experts talk with NPR’s Morning Edition about how increasing deer populations contribute to the rise of tick-borne diseases, highlighting Alpha-gal Syndrome transmitted by the Lone Star ticks.

As a method to reduce tick populations and diseases, Dr. Stephen Rich describes using an oral medicine to treat deer for ticks.

“There's differences in the digestive system of white-tailed deer versus dogs and cats. And there's also the fact that these are game animals, so they have to be treated as a food source.” -Dr. Stephen Rich

Listen Here

You’re invited to the NEWVEC Geospatial Tools for Public Health Workshop Series

These workshops are designed for multiple skill levels and begin with an introductory course for anyone new to using GIS.

We welcome you to join us for a four part workshop series where James Tsalah will lead hands-on training to allow participants to gain a deeper understanding of GIS concepts and how to apply them in your research. Please see below for class descriptions and the links to register.

Introduction to GIS Concepts - October 6, 2026 at 5 PM Eastern Time

This introductory workshop provides a foundation in Geographic Information Systems (GIS), covering core concepts such as spatial data types, coordinate reference systems and projections, and common geospatial operations. Participants will gain an understanding of how GIS is used to analyze and visualize spatial information for their own research projects. The workshop will conclude with a live demonstration in QGIS, where attendees will learn how to set up a project and load their first geospatial datasets for analysis and mapping.

Map Design for Researchers - October 13, 2026 at 5 PM Eastern Time

This follow-up workshop focuses on the principles of effective cartographic design and map communication. Participants will learn how to create clear, informative, and visually appealing map layouts while exploring common mapping pitfalls and strategies to avoid them. Through a live demonstration in QGIS, attendees will build a map from scratch and gain practical experience applying best practices in map design.

GIS in the Field - October 20, 2026 at 5 PM Eastern Time

Integrating fieldwork and desktop mapping can be challenging without the right tools, which is where QField Cloud comes in. This workshop introduces participants to the QField ecosystem and demonstrates how free cloud services can streamline data collection and management between the field and the office. Attendees will follow a live demonstration showing how to configure a QField Cloud project in QGIS, prepare datasets for mobile use, and synchronize data across devices. The workshop will also cover the use of the QField mobile application, providing hands-on instruction for collecting, editing, and managing spatial data directly from a smartphone or tablet in the field.

Spatial Statistics & Geoprocessing Analytics in QGIS - October 27, 2026 at 5 PM Eastern Time

In this final GIS workshop we will conclude the series by covering useful geoprocessing tools in QGIS to bring spatial statistics into your research projects. Participants will learn how to analyze spatial data using common geoprocessing workflows in order to uncover meaningful geographic patterns and relationships. By working through practical examples, attendees will build a foundation in geospatial analysis and gain the skills needed to begin incorporating spatial statistics into their own projects.

NEWVEC Events Calendar

Missed an event? All of the Work-in-Progress Series recordings are available on the NEWVEC Website

Work-in-Progress Series

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