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Niki Spahich, PhD

Niki Spahich earned her PhD in genetics and genomics from Duke University, where she studied Haemophilus influenzae membrane proteins that contribute to respiratory infections. She later explored Staphylococcus aureus metabolism during her postdoctoral fellowship at the University of North Carolina - Chapel Hill. After various teaching and science communication experiences, Niki joined The Scientist's Creative Services Team in June 2019 and is currently an associate science editor.

Articles by Niki Spahich, PhD
An artistic rendering of SARS-CoV-2 made to look like stained glass
SARS-CoV-2 Infection Can Alter Future Immune Reponses
Niki Spahich, PhD | Feb 22, 2023 | 3 min read
Males recovered from mild COVID-19 have baseline immune states primed to mount stronger responses to future challenges.
Mosquito on leaf stock photo
Combating Mosquito-Borne Diseases with CRISPR
Niki Spahich, PhD | Oct 11, 2022 | 4 min read
As alternatives to insecticides, Omar Akbari uses sophisticated genetic engineering methods to solve the world’s mosquito problems.
Dog Ancestry Provides Clues to Ancient Human Activities
Dog Ancestry Provides Clues to Ancient Human Activities
Niki Spahich, PhD | Sep 1, 2022 | 3 min read
Researchers combined evidence found in dog genomes with physical materials recovered from archeological sites to discover factors behind major societal changes.
Small Changes, Big Consequences
Small Changes, Big Consequences
Niki Spahich, PhD | Aug 23, 2022 | 3 min read
To understand the mechanisms behind severe COVID-19, researchers identified common COVID-19 genetic risk variants that affect immune cell function.
3-D image of a tumor
Cancer Cells Go Incognito to Cause Therapy Relapse
Niki Spahich, PhD | Jun 27, 2022 | 3 min read
Dormant cancer cells and dysfunctional immune cells living together in a tumor niche form a therapy-resistant reservoir.
Staphylococcus aureus bacteria on the skin
The Scientist Speaks - Virulence Meets Metabolism: The Unique Evolution of Staphylococcus aureus
Niki Spahich, PhD | Jun 20, 2022 | 1 min read
Anthony Richardson discusses what makes Staph especially dangerous for people with diabetes.
Muscle immobilization leads to atrophy
Antioxidants Put the Pep Back in One’s Step
Niki Spahich, PhD | Jun 13, 2022 | 3 min read
Delivering antioxidants via extracellular vesicles to atrophied muscles restores them during rehabilitation.
iStock
The Scientist Speaks - To Conserve and Protect: The Quest for Universal Vaccines
Niki Spahich, PhD | May 24, 2022 | 1 min read
Patrick Wilson discusses the challenges in designing universal vaccines and his work developing one for influenza.
Meat sample in open disposable plastic cell culture dish in modern laboratory or production facility.
Removing the Animals from Lab-Grown Meat
Niki Spahich, PhD | May 9, 2022 | 3 min read
Growing meat in a laboratory may seem like science fiction, but researchers around the world are perfecting the culture of animal muscle intended for human consumption.
Salmonella living within macrophages can survive antibiotic treatment and potentially give rise to resistance by two different mechanisms that slow or arrest their growth.
Bacteria Go Dormant to Survive Antibiotics and Restart Infections
Niki Spahich, PhD | Mar 7, 2022 | 3 min read
In Salmonella, two seemingly similar antibiotic survival strategies result from very different molecular mechanisms.
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