Nova Scotia researcher pioneers fabric spray tick repellent amid Lyme disease crisis

The challenge: Canada’s growing Lyme disease crisis

Nova Scotians face the highest tick density per capita and the most Lyme disease cases in the country, yet research into how ticks function – how they find hosts, what repels them, what makes them tick – has remained surprisingly limited. Finding effective, safe alternatives to synthetic repellents like DEET that address user hesitancy remains a critical need. Many researchers, like Mitacs Innovation Award winner Nicoletta Faraone, are committed to solving this pressing public health challenge.

The solution: Understanding ticks at a molecular level

Nicoletta Faraone exemplifies how Mitacs funding bridges academic expertise with industry to solve real-world challenges. Her research, supported by Mitacs, connected her with Nova Scotia-based AtlanTick Repellent Products, creating a unique opportunity to develop clean, natural solutions for tick protection.

Faraone is redefining what it means to lead in tick research. With undergraduate, Master’s, and PhD degrees from Italy, she brought international expertise to a uniquely Canadian problem. Her determination to understand tick behavior at the molecular level led to her appointment as head of the new Canadian Tick Research and Innovation Centre at Acadia University. Today, Faraone stands out as a leader in vector-borne disease prevention, opening doors to breakthrough innovations that protect Canadians.

“Mitacs really opened up possibilities for research that I didn’t know were possible. As researchers, we need that strong belief in what we are doing in order to answer important questions,” said Nicoletta Faraone, Associate Professor, Chemistry Department at Acadia University. “Although I was initially unfamiliar with the scope of Canada’s tick crisis, the funding quickly immersed me in the challenges that communities face in protecting themselves from Lyme disease. That experience became a defining one, ultimately leading to innovations that will help people across the country.”

The outcome: Bold innovation tackles tick protection

Faraone’s success demonstrates the ripple effects of strategic support for research innovation. Through Mitacs funding, she gained the resources to pursue groundbreaking discoveries, and the experience brought practical solutions to market.

The breakthrough came when her team discovered that certain essential oils don’t just repel ticks – they actually impair their ability to smell, effectively rendering them unable to locate humans or pets. “It was like switching off their GPS system,” Faraone explains.

That discovery led to something tangible: a first-of-its-kind all-natural fabric spray expected to hit the market ahead of the 2026 tick season. Unlike synthetic repellents that many people hesitate to use due to health concerns, this spray is safe, effective, and long-lasting – protecting fabric for up to one week.

Nicoletta Faraone’s groundbreaking work earned her a Mitacs Innovation Award in Outstanding Innovation. She is one of only 11 Mitacs award winners nationally, chosen from thousands of researchers who participate in Mitacs programs each year. The award was presented at the National Arts Centre in Ottawa on November 17, 2025.

Her journey illustrates that by deploying skilled talent and building the capacity to innovate, Mitacs can impact the economy, workforce and society.

Talent in action: Strengthening innovation capacity

Mitacs continues to strengthen innovation capacity in Nova Scotia and across the country while driving global competitiveness. Mitacs supports researchers to deliver hands-on, industry-responsive solutions that strengthen local economies and accelerate innovation development.

Nicoletta Faraone’s journey highlights the transformative impact of academic-industry collaboration. Her work doesn’t stop with the fabric spray – her team is now examining how climate change affects tick populations and exploring a naturally occurring Nova Scotia soil fungus as an all-natural insecticide with demonstrated tick-killing abilities.

For Nova Scotians counting down to tick season, Mitacs’ investment in ideas that address real-world challenges may soon mean the difference between staying indoors and confidently enjoying the outdoors.