Nina Kraus found safe: What to know about the Northwestern professor
Northwestern Professor, Nina Kraus. Image Credit: CBS News
Relief swept across Evanston Monday evening after Northwestern University professor Nina Kraus, who had been reported missing on Labor Day, was found safe. The Evanston Police Department confirmed in a Facebook post that Kraus was located in the city and taken to a local hospital for treatment. Authorities did not release additional details but noted that foul play is not suspected.
Who is Nina Kraus?
Nina Kraus is a world-renowned neuroscientist and professor at Northwestern University, where she has spent decades advancing the study of auditory neuroscience. Her research focuses on how the human brain processes sound, from speech and music to environmental noise, and how those processes shape learning, communication, and brain health.
Her pioneering work has helped uncover the ways in which sound exposure influences cognitive development, literacy, and even aging. She is the author of several influential studies, bridging neuroscience with education, language acquisition, and clinical research.
Kraus is also known for founding the Brainvolts Laboratory at Northwestern, a leading center that investigates how the brain interprets sound. Her work has not only advanced scientific understanding but also impacted real-world applications in classrooms, clinical settings, and therapies for people with communication disorders.
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Timeline of Her Disappearance
Family members reported the 72-year-old professor missing after she went for a walk near Grove Street and Ashland Avenue at around 9 a.m. on Labor Day. Unusually, Kraus left home without her phone, making it difficult for her family to track her movements.
Search efforts quickly intensified. The Evanston Police Department, supported by the Evanston Fire Department, deployed drones to sweep the lakefront near Centennial Park, an area Kraus was known to frequent. Officers also searched neighborhoods north and south of Church Street.
A Cook County Sheriff’s K-9 unit was brought in to assist, following scent trails near Kraus’ home. Police asked residents with Ring doorbells and security cameras to check their footage, while family members urged the community to remain vigilant.
Family and Community Response
Kraus’ son, Michael Perkins, shared his concern during the search, noting how unusual it was for his mother to leave without her phone. He described her as a deeply committed scholar who had dedicated decades to teaching and research at Northwestern University.
The Northwestern community, along with neighbors and friends in Evanston, rallied in support of the family, spreading awareness and assisting authorities in the search.
A Legacy in Neuroscience
Beyond her role as a teacher and mentor, Nina Kraus is celebrated as a leading figure in neuroscience. Her work continues to influence how scientists and educators think about the connection between sound, the brain, and human development.
While the circumstances of her disappearance remain unclear, her safe recovery has been met with gratitude and relief. For Northwestern and the wider academic community, Kraus’ return means the continuation of a career dedicated to discovery, education, and the better understanding of how sound shapes the human experience.