Northwestern University researchers develop rapid test for lead in water
Grad student Tyler Lucci has lost count of days spent in a lab.
Author: Lisa La Vallee
CSB Staff Profile: Yael Mayer—Supporting the Science Behind the Scenes
We recently sat down with Yael Mayer, the Center for Synthetic Biology’s (CSB) Director of Operations and Outreach, to learn more about her path to Northwestern, her passion for staff … Continued
Ashty Karim: Engineering Biology, Embracing the Unexpected
Center for Synthetic Biology (CSB) faculty member Ashty Karim shares how a winding path—fueled by curiosity, community, and creativity—led to his dream job in synthetic biology. For Ashty Karim, PhD, … Continued
North Park University Interns Investigate Synthetic Biology at Northwestern
When senior Bogdan Buzdugan first learned about the Center for Synthetic Biology’s new internship for North Park University undergraduates, he had just finished his last final of the semester. “I … Continued
CSB leaders voice concerns about funding cuts, emphasizing “We’re doing this for everybody”
When the Trump administration announced its $790 million funding freeze for Northwestern University, halting important research in labs across the university, Center for Synthetic Biology leaders sprang into action. Their … Continued
Synthetic Biology Graduate Students Step Up
“Student organizations were super active here pre-COVID, but when COVID started, things began to fizzle,” says Dylan Brown, a fifth-year chemical engineering student in the Lucks Lab. Even after the … Continued
Two CSB Faculty Inducted into AIMBE College of Fellows
Center for Synthetic Biology faculty members Joshua Leonard and Jonathan Rivnay are part of AIMBE’s College of Fellows Class of 2025.
Lucks Named Fellows of the American Association for the Advancement of Science
Professor Julius Lucks will be celebrated in June in Washington, D.C.
Center for Synthetic Biology Announces Taylor Nichols, PhD, as Director of Research
The Center for Synthetic Biology (CSB) is pleased to announce the appointment of Taylor Nichols, PhD, as the Director of Research (DOR). Taylor joined the Center in March 2025 and … Continued
Northwestern CSB Alum to Compete on Jeopardy!
Northwestern alumnus Adam Silverman, PhD, Staff Scientist at ADA Forsyth, will compete on Jeopardy! next week. A former Center for Synthetic Biology (CSB) graduate student in the labs of Julius … Continued