Take a look at Northeastern University’s biggest moments of 2019

Photo collage of 2019's top stories

Northeastern’s global network grew

Northeastern researchers made breakthroughs in the sciences

Northeastern made headlines…

… and we analyzed the news everyone was talking about

Northeastern celebrated the Class of 2019

2019

We reported from all over the world

The Huskies kept winning

Students and graduates shared their experiences…

…and News@Northeastern brought these stories to life

And, as always, we had fun

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These are the headlines we made, the stories we told, the sights and sounds we captured. Relive the best moments of 2019, and celebrate the momentum that carries Northeastern into the New Year.


Northeastern’s global network grew

In the ongoing mission to redefine higher education the world around, Northeastern launched campuses in London and Vancouver. The university formed partnerships that will increase the number of women and underrepresented minorities in computing. Northeastern invested in international defense of cyberspace, and expanded our reach in experiential artificial intelligence.

Northeastern launches campus in Vancouver, British Columbia

Northeastern launches campus in Vancouver, British Columbia

Northeastern has the ‘most beautiful’ building in Boston

Northeastern has the ‘most beautiful’ building in Boston

Northeastern finalizes partnership agreement with New College of the Humanities in London

Northeastern finalizes partnership agreement with New College of the Humanities in London

This new learning tool helps students get the most out of their experiences at Northeastern and beyond

This new learning tool helps students get the most out of their experiences at Northeastern and beyond

Northeastern University, in partnership with the Navy and Air Force, opens state-of-the-art drone testing facility on its Burlington campus

State-of-the-art drone-testing facility opens on the Burlington campus

Facebook invests to expand Northeastern computer science master’s program for women and underrepresented populations

Facebook invests to expand Northeastern computer science master’s program for women and underrepresented populations

Northeastern University to invest a record $340M in financial aid for students in 2019-20

Northeastern University to invest a record $340M in financial aid for students in 2019-20

Northeastern University’s Boston campus has been officially recognized as a level two arboretum by ArbNet

Northeastern’s Boston campus has officially been recognized as an arboretum

Northeastern University to construct new research building to support university’s work in autonomous vehicles, drones, humanoid robots, and more

‘This is how we want the world to see us’

Northeastern University joins with universities from US, UK, and Japan to tackle international cybersecurity challenges

Northeastern University joins with universities from US, UK, and Japan to tackle international cybersecurity challenges

Northeastern University launches national program to boost the number of women majoring in computing

Northeastern University launches national program to boost the number of women majoring in computing

Northeastern researchers team up with Accenture to offer a road map for artificial intelligence ethics oversight

Northeastern researchers team up with Accenture to offer a road map for artificial intelligence ethics oversight

Northeastern University to design the wireless networks of the future using world’s most powerful radio frequency emulator

Northeastern to design the wireless networks of the future

Northeastern University launches Institute for Experiential Artificial Intelligence

Northeastern University launches Institute for Experiential Artificial Intelligence

Northeastern University launches the Institute for the Wireless Internet of Things

Northeastern University launches the Institute for the Wireless Internet of Things


We reported from all over the world

News@Northeastern covered the stories that matter around the globe. We had boots on the ground in Costa Rica, Australia, Kenya, and beyond, as part of our continuing mission to tell the stories where they are happening.

In Saudi Arabia, women couldn’t drive cars until last year. This Saudi woman races in one.

In Saudi Arabia, women couldn’t drive cars until last year. This Saudi woman races in one.

How humans can shape the future of artificial intelligence, and not just respond to it

How humans can shape the future of artificial intelligence, and not just respond to it

A disease you may not have heard of kills 20,000 people every year. It doesn’t have to.

A disease you may not have heard of kills 20,000 people every year. It doesn’t have to.a

Britain, Brexit, and Boris Johnson: What you need to know

Britain, Brexit, and Boris Johnson: What you need to know

It’s always a beautiful day to be a custom staircase builder in Australia

It’s always a beautiful day to be a custom staircase builder in Australia

When you can’t imagine living in a city again

When you can’t imagine living in a city again

A lawyer’s guide to navigating the clickbait era

A lawyer’s guide to navigating the clickbait era


Northeastern researchers made breakthroughs in the sciences

Researchers discovered a new species of shipworm that eats rocks, unearthed and explored bias in the advertising algorithms of Facebook, and developed a new drug design that targets triple-negative breast cancer; this was just a small sample of the cutting-edge research going on in the university’s labs.

Northeastern researchers discover new species of shipworm in Philippines

Here’s how mollusks that grow fat on a diet of rock might help us

To manage your anger better, this Northeastern professor says to learn the difference between frustration and irritation.

You want to manage your anger better. Your brain wants you to stay alive. Here’s how you can do both.

Northeastern researchers may have discovered why some tumors grow back aggressively after radiation, chemotherapy

This might be why some tumors grow back aggressively after cancer treatments

Northeastern professor targets triple-negative breast cancer with new drug design

Targeting a cure for triple-negative breast cancer

A Northeastern University team tested Facebook’s algorithm and found its delivery of advertisements is skewed by race and gender

Your gender and race might be determining which Facebook ads you see

Northeastern University professor H. William Detrich demonstrates that you can make a hybrid icefish

He discovered that you can make a hybrid icefish

Northeastern University professor says we can’t gauge emotions from facial expressions alone

You think you can read facial expressions? You’re wrong

Human trafficking in the US is a much bigger problem than we think

Human trafficking in the US is a much bigger problem than we think

A new antibiotic has been hiding in the gut of a tiny worm. It may be our best weapon against drug-resistant bacteria.

A new antibiotic has been hiding in the gut of a tiny worm. It may be our best weapon against drug-resistant bacteria.

This birth control pill only needs to be taken once per month

What if birth control pills could be taken monthly, instead of every day?


Northeastern made headlines…

The university’s research, discoveries, and innovations continue to make headlines in many of the world’s leading media outlets, including The New York Times, The Washington Post, Vice, the Financial Times, and The Wall Street Journal.

How the Icefish Got Its Transparent Blood and See-Through Skull – The New York Times

How the Icefish Got Its Transparent Blood and See-Through Skull – The New York Times

Artist uses ‘historic’ markers to raise climate awareness – Associated Press

Artist uses ‘historic’ markers to raise climate awareness – Associated Press

This Trippy T-Shirt Makes You Invisible to AI – VICE

This Trippy T-Shirt Makes You Invisible to AI – VICE

Emotion detection’ AI is a $20 billion industry. New research says it can’t do what it claims. – Washington Post

Emotion detection’ AI is a $20 billion industry. New research says it can’t do what it claims. – Washington Post

This Creature Eats Stone. Sand Comes Out the Other End. – The New York Times

This Creature Eats Stone. Sand Comes Out the Other End. – The New York Times

How to Build an AI Ethics Committee – The Wall Street Journal

How to Build an AI Ethics Committee – The Wall Street Journal

Smart TVs sending sensitive user data to Netflix and Facebook – Financial Times

Smart TVs sending sensitive user data to Netflix and Facebook – Financial Times

Fighting the Gender Stereotypes That Warp Biomedical Research – The New York Times

Fighting the Gender Stereotypes That Warp Biomedical Research – The New York Times

Older, right-leaning Twitter users spread the most fake news in 2016, study finds – Washington Post

Older, right-leaning Twitter users spread the most fake news in 2016, study finds – Washington Post

Squid Share a Colorful Trick With Peacocks – The New York Times

Squid Share a Colorful Trick With Peacocks – The New York Times

AI project to preserve people's voices in effort to tackle speech loss – The Guardian

AI project to preserve people’s voices in effort to tackle speech loss – The Guardian

Facebook’s Ad System Might Be Hard-Coded for Discrimination – WIRED

Facebook’s Ad System Might Be Hard-Coded for Discrimination – WIRED

Wireless Carrier Throttling of Online Video Is Pervasive – Bloomberg

Wireless Carrier Throttling of Online Video Is Pervasive – Bloomberg

Lack of public confidence in AI readiness an ‘opportunity’ for HE – Times Higher Education

Lack of public confidence in AI readiness an ‘opportunity’ for HE – Times Higher Education

What’s Pink and Pinstriped and Digests Wood? This New Shipworm – The New York Times

What’s Pink and Pinstriped and Digests Wood? This New Shipworm – The New York Times

Humanics: A way to ‘robot-proof’ your career? – BBC

Humanics: A way to ‘robot-proof’ your career? – BBC

Oh, My God, Where Is This Going?’ When Computer-Science Majors Take Improv – The Wall Street Journal

Oh, My God, Where Is This Going?’ When Computer-Science Majors Take Improv – The Wall Street Journal


… and we analyzed the news everyone was talking about

What made Bird Box a cultural phenomenon? Did babies really deserve to be targeted with slices of thrown cheese? What conclusions could be drawn from a teenager’s infamous encounter with a Native American elder? News@Northeastern asked questions, and Northeastern faculty had the answers.

Illustration of cheese being thrown at a baby

You’re a baby. Your parent just threw a slice of cheese at you. Now what?

Bird Box Screenshot

What made Bird Box so popular?

Teenager in MAGA hat

You think you can read the facial expression on the teenager in the MAGA hat? You can’t.

Nancy Pelosi claps in the direction of President Trump

A body language expert analyzes the ‘Pelosi Clap’ and other highlights from the State of the Union

Notre Dame's gothic architectural features may be what saved it from total destruction from fire, Northeastern University professors say

How Notre Dame’s 13th-century architecture stood up to a devastating fire

A series of images depitcting space travel.

Space Week: Remembering the moon landing 50 years later


Northeastern celebrated the Class of 2019

Award-winning author Tara Westover urged students from the Class of 2019 to embrace their “un-Instagramable selves.” Our graduates launched trailblazing business ventures, conducted groundbreaking research, and earned national and international recognition along the way.

Full coverage of Commencement 2019

Commencement 2019

Here are the 147 flags you’ll see students waving at Northeastern Commencement 2019

Here are the 147 flags you’ll see students waving at Northeastern Commencement 2019

Tara Westover urges graduates to embrace their ‘un-Instagrammable’ selves

Tara Westover urges graduates to embrace their ‘un-Instagrammable’ selves

Play this game to see if you can earn your Northeastern University diploma

It’s time to get your diploma… if you can get past the monsters first

Northeastern students awarded two Truman, nine Fulbright scholarships

Northeastern students awarded two Truman, nine Fulbright scholarships

‘Now the world belongs to you’

‘Now the world belongs to you’


The Huskies kept winning

The Northeastern men’s hockey team successfully defended their Beanpot title on the way to another NCAA Tournament appearance. The highly ranked women’s hockey team made a push of their own in the NCAAs, and the men’s basketball team went dancing in March Madness. It was another banner year for athletics.

Full Coverage of the 2019 Beanpot Final

Full Coverage of the 2019 Beanpot Final

It's on to March Madness!

It’s on to March Madness!

Kendall Coyne Schofield becomes first woman to compete in NHL skills competition

Kendall Coyne Schofield becomes first woman to compete in NHL skills competition

It's on to the NCAA Tournament after the Huskies capture Hockey East

It’s on to the NCAA Tournament after the Huskies capture Hockey East

<Huskies to meet Kansas in NCAA Tournament at Salt Lake City

Huskies to meet Kansas in NCAA Tournament at Salt Lake City

‘I didn't like playing against her. I love playing with her.’

‘I didn’t like playing against her. I love playing with her.’

Huskies history in March Madness: 39 years and counting

Huskies history in March Madness: 39 years and counting


Students and graduates shared their experiences…

The first female hockey referee in the NHL. The disruptor who turned Thailand’s car industry upside-down. The pledge to keep secret a reunion of the Jonas Brothers. News@Northeastern covered the events of our students and alumni that add depth and wonder to Northeastern.

Making history from the ice: Kelly Cooke on becoming one of the first women to referee in National Hockey League prospect tournaments

For more than 100 years, the NHL had been a man’s league. Then she was asked to make the calls.

Northeastern University student will use Marshall Scholarship to study women and children’s health

She met a Peruvian midwife, and that changed everything

Northeastern University student co-ops at Republic Records, works with Jonas Brothers, and learns music industry secrets

Keeping the Jonas Brothers reunion a secret on co-op

The new Cambridge-Northeastern Police Academy is leading an ‘evolution of the profession’ of law enforcement

This police academy is leading an ‘evolution of the profession’ of law enforcement

How a disrupter transformed Thailand’s used car industry almost overnight

How a disrupter transformed Thailand’s used car industry almost overnight

Meet the man behind the Rolling Stones, Aerosmith, Joan Jett, and the Concert for Bangladesh

Meet the man behind some of the biggest acts in rock ‘n’ roll history

Northeastern University student Kritika Singh receives Rhodes Scholarship to tackle global health challenges at Oxford University

Northeastern University bioengineering student is named Rhodes Scholar

2020 Marshall Scholarship awarded to Northeastern University engineering and economics student

This 2020 Marshall Scholar wants to fix the big transportation problems in the US


…and News@Northeastern brought these stories to life

We augmented our rich storytelling with stellar photography, award-winning documentaries, and innovative design.

Watch: Murder in Mobile, a documentary short film

Murder in Mobile: A documentary short film about race, murder, and one family’s search for the truth 70 years later

Photos of the Year

The best of 2019 in photos

Researchers from Northeastern’s Ocean Genome Legacy Center  discover a new genus and species of shipworm that eats rocks in the Philippines

A newly discovered clam eats rock, and no one knows why

Northeastern University researcher says gender stereotypes are interfering with science

Of mice and women

New public art installation by Quintessenz bursts with brilliant shades of blue, purple, and yellow

Embrace all 76 colors of the newest art on the Boston campus


And, as always, we had fun

Through it all, News@Northeastern reminded you, the reader, that we will always be global leaders in having a good time. We battled squirrels, told our best dad jokes, and helped Northeastern’s president, Joseph E. Aoun, navigate an airport with a fully-cooked turkey (when he wasn’t scrambling, Parkour-style, across Boston).

Look for an even better, more-exciting 2020.

An illustration of a squirrel stealing books.

Pesky squirrels have taken your books. Get them back!

Three cute husky puppies

Think you’ve got a cute dog? See if yours can top these pups.

A background made of laughing emojis.

Eight ‘dad jokes’ that will make you laugh (or cringe)

Head of the Charles course route

This is the course 11,000 athletes will row for the Head of the Charles Regatta

A turkey in an x-ray machine

President Aoun and the Great Carry-on Caper

An illustration of a cute husky puppy.

Give your brain a study break and pet the puppy

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