Faculty Stories Archives

Ron Mikulaco, right, and his nephew, Brad Fernandez, examine a crack caused by an earthquake on Highway 178, Saturday, July 6, 2019, outside of Ridgecrest, Calif. Crews in Southern California assessed damage to cracked and burned buildings, broken roads, leaking water and gas lines and other infrastructure Saturday after the largest earthquake the region has seen in nearly 20 years jolted an area from Sacramento to Las Vegas to Mexico. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)

After two major earthquakes rocked the state, is California ready for ‘the Big One’?

Two powerful earthquakes shook Southern California in back-to-back days last week, stoking fear among residents that a major earthquake isn’t far off. Jerome F. Hajjar, a professor of civil and environmental engineering at Northeastern, says it’s not a matter of if California will experience a huge, devastating earthquake, but when. And only some of the buildings in the state are prepared to withstand such a quake, he says.

by Molly Callahan July 9, 2019

A new global survey conducted by Northeastern University and Gallup shows strong support for lifelong learning accounts that could make it easier for employees to pay for their own education and training over the course of their careers. Photo by iStock

Are lifelong learning savings accounts the answer to bridging the skills gap in the age of artificial intelligence?

Creating lifelong learning accounts could make it easier for employees to pay for their own education and training as economies around the world undergo the transformative move to automation. A new global survey conducted by Northeastern University and Gallup shows strong support for a program that would make it easier for employees to pay for the training they need.

by Khalida Sarwari July 9, 2019

This new technology can analyze more proteins in a single cell than ever before. What does it mean for cancer treatments?

Nikolai Slavov, an assistant professor of bioengineering at Northeastern, has developed a data-driven technique to detect more than 2,000 proteins in a single cell. He says the method could be used to help scientists create new therapies to treat cancer, diabetes, and other diseases.

by Roberto Molar Candanosa July 8, 2019

Student Nohelly Derosiers transfers <i>C. elegans</i> in Javier Apfeld’s lab at the Mugar Life Sciences Building. Photo by Ruby Wallau/Northeastern University

How long will we live? The answer isn’t in a crystal ball. But it might be in our brains.

Northeastern biology professor Javier Apfeld can extend the lifespan of a worm by manipulating how its brain processes information. Now he wants to know why in the hopes that maybe worms can teach us something about our own mortality.

by Emily Arntsen July 5, 2019

New York City has allocated funding specifically for people traveling to the city for an abortion. This is unique because it’s a response states that have passed laws that restrict access to abortion, says Aziza Ahmed, a Northeastern law professor. Photo by iStock.

The unique plan to fund abortions in New York City

New York City officials recently set aside $250,000 to help poor women who travel from other states to obtain abortions in the city, an action that acknowledges the broader national debate over access to abortion, says Aziza Ahmed, a Northeastern law professor who studies health law.

by Molly Callahan July 3, 2019

Cracking the mystery of cracks

Northeastern physics professor Alain Karma studies cracks. His work could lead to better batteries, tougher materials, and an improved understanding of how people age.

by Kerry Benson - contributor July 2, 2019

Are immigrants good for the economy?

Communities and nations that are welcoming to immigrants are more likely to realize the benefits of immigration, says Luis Dau, a Northeastern professor of international business and strategy. History, he believes, is on his side. But a new Northeastern-Gallup poll shows a deep ideological divide among respondents in the U.S., U.K., and Canada on whether immigration causes job losses.

by Ian Thomsen July 1, 2019

Over the course of a three-month competition, students in Northeastern’s Khoury College of Computer Sciences designed and implemented a prototype of a secure gaming console and hacked their competition. Photo by Matthew Modoono/Northeastern University

How to hack a video game console (and protect one)

A group of students from Northeastern’s Khoury College of Computer Sciences successfully designed a prototype gaming console that stopped every attempted attack in a recent competition. The students also proved to be impressive hackers themselves, defeating the security measures in the systems designed by the other teams.

by Laura Castañón July 1, 2019

Go the West Village Quad at 3:15 p.m. on Thursday, July 11, grab some ice cream, and spend time getting to know faculty, staff, and students in the Khoury College of Computer Sciences who will be on campus this summer. Photo by Matthew Modoono/Northeastern University

Can’t-miss events on the Boston campus in July

Write poetry. Volunteer in the community. Enjoy some ice cream in the sun.

by Irvin Zhang June 28, 2019

Conservative leadership candidate Boris Johnson takes a selfie with workers at the Wight Shipyard Company at Venture Quay during a visit to the Isle of Wight, England. (Andrew Matthews/Pool Photo via AP)

What does it mean for Brexit if Boris Johnson becomes the British Prime Minister?

Boris Johnson, the former London mayor and an outspoken champion of the United Kingdom’s departure from the European Union, has emerged as the frontrunner to replace outgoing British Prime Minister Theresa May. His actions, though, could force the UK into a chaotic withdrawal from the European Union, says Mai’a Cross, an associate professor of political science and international affairs at Northeastern.

by Molly Callahan June 27, 2019