Tick expert (IMAGE) University of Massachusetts Amherst Caption Stephen Rich, professor of microbiology at UMass Amherst, will head the New England Center of Excellence in Vector-borne Diseases. Credit UMass Amherst Usage Restrictions None License Original content Disclaimer: AAAS and EurekAlert! are not responsible for the accuracy of news releases posted to EurekAlert! by contributing institutions or for the use of any information through the EurekAlert system.