Beyene, an adjunct faculty member at Northeastern University with a Ph.D. from Harvard’s T.H. Chan School of Public Health, plans to dedicate the next year to independent field trials and commercial development. His research addresses a critical gap in public health; while existing pesticides face increasing resistance and standard repellents often fail once a tick reaches the skin, Beyene’s formulation focuses on the physiological process of feeding itself.
Joseph Beyene Awarded Fellowship to Develop Tick-Blocking Treatment
As tick-borne diseases expand into new regions, Silver Spring-based scientist Joseph Beyene has secured an O'Shaughnessy Fellowship to finalize a novel skin treatment. Unlike traditional repellents that lose efficacy upon contact, his approach targets the specific biological mechanisms ticks utilize to feed on human skin.
Jim O'Shaughnessy, founder of the investment firm, cited Beyene's scientific background and resilience as primary drivers for the grant. The fellowship, which provides up to $100,000 in funding and access to an expert network, is part of a broader 2026 initiative that has selected nineteen recipients to date. Beyene’s past work includes foundational research for Vesigen Therapeutics, which previously secured $28.5 million in Series A funding.
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