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Led by the Seifert Lab, Northwestern scientists have uncovered previously unrecognized genetic mechanisms that drive antimicrobial resistance in gonorrhea — insights that could guide the creation of more effective treatments, according to a recent study published in PLoS Pathogens.
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In a collaborative study led by the Ben-Sahra and Mendillo labs, scientists have uncovered a surprising link between a tiny cellular engine and how cancer cells build the DNA they need to proliferate, per a new study published in Molecular Cell.
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Scientists have developed a more precise genetic risk score to determine whether a person is likely to develop arrhythmia, which can lead to serious conditions such as atrial fibrillation or sudden cardiac death.
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Center for Genetic Medicine
Laiken Kentnich, MS, CGC, joined Feinberg in November 2025 as the Faculty, Development and Engagement Coordinator for the Graduate Program in Genetic Counseling at the Center for Genetic Medicine and as an assistant professor of Medicine (Cardiology). Her work spans faculty development, educational leadership and coordination of psychosocial and advanced genetic counseling coursework. Kentnich earned her MS in Genetic Counseling from The Ohio State University, where she began her career as a cardiovascular genetic counselor and assistant professor. She later practiced as a cancer genetic counselor at Loyola Medicine while contributing extensively to Northwestern's genetic counseling program.
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Rebecca Procopio, MS, CGC, joined Feinberg in November 2025 as the Curriculum and Evaluation Coordinator for the Graduate Program in Genetic Counseling and as an assistant professor of Ophthalmology. Her work focuses on curriculum development and educational oversight for the program, drawing on her background in ophthalmic and general genetics. Procopio earned her MS in Genetic Counseling from Virginia Commonwealth University. Before joining Northwestern, she served as a clinical genetic counselor at Wills Eye Hospital, where she contributed to clinical care, research and peer education, and held adjunct faculty and supervisory roles at Thomas Jefferson University.
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Faculty
Constadina Arvanitis, PhD, director of the Center for Advanced Microscopy and research associate professor of Cell and Developmental Biology, was awarded the Royal Microscopical Society Vice President's Award 2025.
Yogesh Goyal, PhD, assistant professor of Cell and Developmental Biology, has been named a 2025-2028 Edward Mallinckrodt, Jr. Foundation Grant Fellow. Read the story.
Jennifer Kearney, PhD, associate professor of Pharmacology, has received the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke’s Javits Neuroscience Investigator Award.
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Wen Lu, PhD, research assistant professor of Cell and Developmental Biology, was announced as the Category 1 winner of the Proteintech Microscopy Image Competition. See her winning image to the right.
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Richard Smith, PhD, assistant professor of Pharmacology and of Pediatrics, has received the National Institutes of Health (NIH) Director’s New Innovator Award. The award supports early-career scientists conducting high-risk and innovative research in the biomedical, behavioral or social sciences. Read the story.
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Trainees
Lydia Storm, a second-year student in the Graduate Program in Genetic Counseling, has been named one of six recipients of the 2025 Jane Engelberg Memorial Fellowship Student Research Award. Her thesis explores the career paths of program directors to better understand the experiences that prepare genetic counselors for leadership. She hopes her work will make the pathway to program leadership more transparent and accessible for future generations.
Shodai Suzuki, PhD, a postdoctoral fellow in the Arispe Lab, has been awarded the Overseas Research Fellowship for Young Researchers presented by the The Uehara Memorial Foundation in Japan. This highly competitive fellowship provides young scientists the opportunity to conduct international research in interdisciplinary fields.
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Supporting Research Through People and Precision
Kameika Beckford, MSA, is payroll manager and a member of the Professional Affairs team for the Basic Science Administration (BSA). With more than a decade of experience in customer service, payroll and accounting, she brings expertise in financial stewardship and a passion for developing people.
Read a Q&A
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The National Institutes of Health (NIH) has announced the final implementation date of the Common Forms for Biographical Sketch and Other Support documents (NOT‑OD‑26‑018). Beginning January 25, 2026, all senior/key personnel must use these standardized forms through SciENcv for proposals, RPPRs and JIT requests.
Northwestern's Galter Library will host a training session titled "Using SciENcv for NIH Biosketches and Other Support Documents" on January 7.
Sign up for a training session
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Biospecimen and Data Security
NIH has introduced new restrictions on sharing human biospecimens supported by NIH funding effective October 24. Biospecimens cannot be shared with entities in countries of concern, including China, Cuba, Iran, North Korea, Russia and Venezuela, unless exceptions are documented and available to NIH upon request. The Department of Justice has also issued rules restricting transactions that provide foreign adversaries access to sensitive U.S. personal or government‑related data.
If you would like to send samples or data to foreign entities, please work with your research administrator and Sponsored Research. If you have any questions, please contact researchdata@northwestern.edu.
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Research Security and International Considerations
Please be aware of restrictions related to international travel, shipping, collaborations and visitors. The Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) administers sanctions against certain countries, including Cuba, North Korea, Iran, Syria and parts of Ukraine. Activities such as presentations, conferences, remote work, publications, surveys, payments and online teaching may require a license if they involve these countries.
Additional restrictions apply to "military end‑use" or other controlled countries such as Belarus, Burma, Cambodia, China/Hong Kong, Iraq, Nicaragua, Russia and Venezuela.
To avoid missteps, faculty are encouraged to fully disclose all activities, request restricted party screenings, ask questions and report potential issues. Contact Northwestern’s Export Controls & International Compliance team (exportcontrols@northwestern.edu) if asked to engage in activities involving foreign talent programs or collaborations in countries of concern.
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Maintaining Your Web Presence: Reminder to Update Lab Websites and Feinberg Faculty Profiles
Keeping an accurate Feinberg Faculty Profile and lab website is essential for showcasing your work and enhancing your professional visibility.
Why It Matters
- Faculty Profile: This is your primary tool for documenting career accomplishments, attracting collaborators and mentees and informing donors. It serves as a trusted source of information to a variety of audiences. Visit the Faculty Affairs Office website for instructions on how to edit your profile and consult the Quick Reference Guide for tips. If you are missing publications, please contact Colleen De Luca.
- Lab Website: Your lab site is a dynamic platform to feature your research, publications and team. A Nature Metabolism editorial highlights its value — read more here.
Faculty are encouraged to take a moment to review and update these platforms — they’re vital tools for amplifying your impact.
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