Faculty & Staff News

Jumbo Wins

Emily Newman, assistant professor of neuroscience, has been named the inaugural Ghahreman Khodadad Professor of Neuroscience. A triple Jumbo, her research focuses on the neurobiology of social interactions and aggression, female chronic social stress, and the neurocircuitry and molecular mechanisms that underlie stress and fear-related disorders.

Ira Herman, professor emeritus of developmental, molecular, and chemical biology, was named a senior member of the National Academy of Inventors, an honor for academic inventors who are rising leaders in their respective fields and who have produced technologies that seek to bring a positive impact on society.

Navin Kapur, a professor of medicine, has been named a 2025 Innovator in Healthcare by the Boston Business Journal. This prestigious honor recognizes individuals who are at the forefront of executive leadership, research and entrepreneurship, or community health and health equity.

Neeti Pathare, associate professor of rehabilitation sciences, was awarded Best Platform Presentation from the Academy of Cardiovascular & Pulmonary Physical Therapy at this years’ annual Combined Sections Meeting for the APTA.

Research News

How Experiences Influence Future Behavior

Tufts neuroscientists found that early life stress alters dopamine signaling, shaping social behavior and motivation. Their study, published in The Journal of Neuroscience, shows that manipulating neural circuits can increase or decrease social avoidance, offering new insights into stress, reward, and psychiatric health.

Examining Food Inequity in the Mississippi Delta

Vanessa Nicholson-Robinson, assistant professor of public health and community medicine, is the first author of a newly published study in this American Journal of Public Health examining food inequity in the Mississippi Delta and the role of the Food Is Medicine (FIM) movement in addressing diet-related health conditions. The Delta GREENS (Growing a Resilient, Enriching, Equitable, Nourishing food System) research study conducted focus groups with residents receiving care at Delta Health Centers to center their perspectives and lived experiences. The findings provide insight into the region’s food and farming infrastructure and aim to inform equitable, sustainable FIM interventions in the rural South and beyond.

Inequities in Amblyopia Detection and Treatment in Children

Amblyopia, affecting up to 3% of the population and is the leading cause of permanent unilateral vision loss in children and young adults. It results from disrupted visual input to the developing brain during early childhood, typically until age 7. If untreated, it can lead to lifelong issues such as poor depth perception and increased risk of severe vision loss. Sylvia Yoo, associate professor of ophthalmology, and Damian Archer, assistant dean for multicultural affairs, explores inequities in detecting and treating amblyopia in children and proposes interventions to address these disparities.

Addressing Family Planning Challenges for Black LGBTQ+ Individuals

A study by Vanessa Nicholson-Robinson, assistant professor of public health and community medicine, highlights the challenges Black LGBTQ+ individuals and couples face in family planning, including racial and gender bias, discrimination, and limited access to Black sperm donors. Interviews with nine participants revealed concerns about healthcare costs, negative experiences with providers, and the need for better resources like insurance coverage and LGBTQ+ friendly fertility clinics. The study suggests increasing LGBTQ+ reproductive health literacy among providers, hiring culturally representative health workers, and improving sperm bank diversity to enhance the reproductive health and well-being of Black LGBTQ+ individuals and families.

The Impact of Integrated Clinical Education on DPT Students

Gabriele Moriello, associate professor of rehabilitation sciences, and her colleagues had the most-viewed abstract in the Journal of Clinical Education in Physical Therapy Education for 2024. Their study explored the experiences of DPT students in Integrated Clinical Education (ICE) with older adults, focusing on how ICE impacted students’ confidence, clinical skills, and perceptions of aging populations. The study highlighted that ICE improved students' clinical reasoning, adaptability, and understanding, while also positively impacting older adults' social interaction and physical health.

Integrating Soft-Life Principles to Improve Black Women’s Health

Vanessa Nicholson-Robinson, assistant professor of public health and community medicine, explores how the “soft life” movement—prioritizing ease and self-care—can improve Black women’s participation in public health programs. She highlights the need for culturally competent care, community-based doulas, and tailored nutrition programs to address health disparities.

Reprieve System Shows Promise in Heart Failure

The Reprieve decongestion management system (Reprieve Cardiovascular) has shown promise in safely managing patients hospitalized with acute heart failure and significant volume overload, according to the FASTR pilot study conducted by James Udelson, professor of medicine. The system improved sodium output, urine output, and weight loss while preserving kidney function, compared to traditional diuretic strategies. These findings lay the groundwork for the upcoming FASTR II trial, which aims to further investigate the system's efficacy and safety.

Recent Events

TUSM/UMB Enrichment Program

From January 6–22, a group of UMass Boston pre-med and pre-research students participated in the TUSM/UMass Boston Enrichment Program, gaining hands-on experience in biomedical research and clinical problem-solving. Through seminars, mentorship, and interactive learning, they explored careers in medicine, public health, and the sciences—building a strong foundation for their future studies.

Tufts DPT at University World Games

The Tufts DPT Boston program participated in the 2025 Winter World University Games in Turin, Italy, from January 13–23. Faculty member Robin Galley and student Riley Thorr joined Team USA’s medical staff, delivering musculoskeletal care to athletes competing in alpine skiing, freestyle skiing, and snowboarding.

Health Equity Symposium

On February 21, Tufts’ Health Equity Symposium brought together researchers, students, and community partners to explore the impact of racial discrimination on nutrition and health. Keynote speaker David R. Williams discussed emerging research methods and strategies for promoting equity through interdisciplinary collaboration.

Upcoming Events

Global Health Symposium

Tufts Global Health Symposium will take place on Saturday, March 29 from 9am to 1pm at Tufts University School of Medicine. The event will focus on "Global Health Equity," and feature keynote speakers, breakout panels, and networking opportunities to explore careers and issues in global health.

Translational Science Day

Join Tufts CTSI’s virtual 2025 Translational Science Day on Friday, April 4 to explore this year’s theme, “Beyond Thoughts and Prayers: Translating Gun Policy Science into Action to Reduce Firearm Violence.” This free symposium will highlight success stories and bring together policymakers, academics, and advocates to advance evidence-based solutions for gun violence prevention.

8th Annual Black Maternal Health Conference

Join Tufts Center for Black Maternal Health and Reproductive Justice on April 4-5 for a gathering focused on this year’s theme, “Centering the Role of Fathers in Addressing Maternal Health Inequities.” Engage with leaders, students, and advocates as they explore strategies to improve outcomes for Black and Brown mothers and families.

Dr. Maurice S. Segal Lecture

The annual Dr. Maurice S. Segal Lecture on April 16 will feature Jamie Metzl, a leading thinker on AI, biotechnology, healthcare, and global affairs. The event will be held at Tufts University's Alumnae Lounge, with light refreshments to follow.

2025 New England Thyroid Club Meeting

The 2025 New England Thyroid Club Meeting will be held on April 18 in Framingham, MA, focusing on current best practices in thyroid care and implement the latest research into clinical practice.

Tisch College Spring 2025 Speakers

Thought leaders across the political spectrum continue to appear on campus this spring. The Jonathan M. Tisch College of Civic Life hosts community leaders, authors, filmmakers, public servants, and scientists.

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