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Niki Spahich headshot

Niki Spahich, PhD

Niki 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 in the Department of Microbiology and Immunology at the University of North Carolina - Chapel Hill. Niki joined The Scientist's Creative Services team in June 2019 and is currently a senior science editor and team lead.

Articles by Niki Spahich, PhD
Salmonella living within macrophages can survive antibiotic treatment and potentially give rise to resistance by two different mechanisms that slow or arrest their growth.
Slow Bacterial Growth Enables Antibiotic Resistance
Niki Spahich, PhD | Aug 26, 2024 | 3 min read
In Salmonella, two seemingly similar antibiotic survival strategies result from very different molecular mechanisms.
Graphic of multiple colorful bacterial types making up a microbiota
Searching for New Bacterial Therapeutics Amongst Microbial Neighbors
Niki Spahich, PhD | Jul 26, 2024 | 4 min read
A member of the lung microbiota releases a peptide that hinders the respiratory pathogen Streptococcus pneumoniae.
Cross-section of soil showing roots within and green plants above.
Getting to the Root of the Plant Microbiota
Niki Spahich, PhD | Jul 8, 2024 | 5 min read
In plants, sugar transport and microbial community composition go hand in hand. 
Image of The 84-Gun Danish Warship "Dronning Marie" in the Sound by Christoffer Wilhelm Eckersberg, a painting that depicts one large and two small Danish ships in the sea.
Uncovering Secrets of Historic Paintings in the Modern Laboratory
Niki Spahich, PhD | Jun 26, 2024 | 6 min read
Heritage scientist Fabiana Di Gianvincenzo uses proteomics to identify protein damage and unusual materials in historic paintings and textiles.
3D cubes showing letters representing the four DNA bases (adenine, guanine, cytosine, and thymine) and small DNA helices.
Discovering the Functions of Noncoding Sequence Variants
Niki Spahich, PhD | Jun 12, 2024 | 4 min read
Neville Sanjana explored noncoding genomic regions by combining pooled CRISPR screening and single cell sequencing.
3D rendered spheroids floating on a blue background.
Developing Homogenous 3D Neural Cultures for High Throughput Screening
Niki Spahich, PhD | May 23, 2024 | 3 min read
Brain region-specific spheroids help scientists find new compounds to treat opioid use disorder and more.
Creativity concept with a brain exploding in colors.
Understanding the Symphony of Human Brain Development
Niki Spahich, PhD | May 1, 2024 | 1 min read
Paola Arlotta discussed her journey to become a leader in brain organoid research.
Children running through a field.
Aimless Monocytes Underlie a Rare Lung Disease
Niki Spahich, PhD | Apr 18, 2024 | 4 min read
Children with a multifaceted lung disorder share a receptor deficiency, which has implications for monocyte migration into the lungs.
Bacteriologist Melinda Grosser holds the book <em >House of Mirth&nbsp;</em>by Edith Wharton and an agar art plate that recreates the book cover.
Where Books Meet Bacteria
Niki Spahich, PhD | Apr 9, 2024 | 4 min read
Melinda Grosser combines her love of reading and microbiology in her unique Instagram account.
Colorful assortment of genes in a glass jar and hands entering the picture presenting different numerical guesses.
How Many Genes Are in the Human Genome?
Danielle Gerhard, PhD and Niki Spahich, PhD | Apr 1, 2024 | 2 min read
Twenty-one years after the Human Genome Project, scientists still debate how many genes humans have.
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