Delia O’Hara is an award-winning writer and journalist, a former longtime features reporter for the Chicago Sun-Times. Specialties include science, health care, profiles, education, history, culture and the arts for magazines and websites. She is presently a member of the National Association of Science Writers and the Association of Health Care Journalists. She is also a published short story writer.
Delia O’Hara
From this contributor
Beyond the bench: A conversation with Konstantinos Zarbalis
Konstantinos “Kostas” Zarbalis talks about the upside of unexpected experimental results, and why he eats just one meal per day.
![Dr. Kostas Zarbalis standing in front of a window in his office.](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/ZarbalisOffice844.jpg)
Beyond the bench: A conversation with Konstantinos Zarbalis
Beyond the bench: A conversation with Kristin Sohl
When pediatrician Kristin Sohl isn’t building programs to improve care for and research about autistic people, you can find her reading psychological thrillers or playing Pokémon Go.
![](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/SohlPokemon-844.jpg)
Beyond the bench: A conversation with Kristin Sohl
Beyond the bench: A conversation with Andrew Whitehouse
Andrew Whitehouse talks about his conservation efforts in the Australian Outback, what it’s like to be an identical twin and why he leaves work promptly at 5 p.m.
![Professor Andrew Whitehouse surrounded by playful children in the busy clinic in Subiaco Western Australia.](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/WhitehouseClinic844.jpg)
Beyond the bench: A conversation with Andrew Whitehouse
Beyond the bench: A conversation with Ethan Scott
Ethan Scott packs his lab with math, physics and computer science experts to decode sensory brain networks in zebrafish models of autism.
![Scientist Ethan Scott takes aim with a bow and arrow in his backyard.](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/ScottBow844.jpg)
Beyond the bench: A conversation with Ethan Scott
Explore more from The Transmitter
Cell population in brainstem coordinates cough, new study shows
The work also adds to a growing body of evidence showing that mice, and their genetic toolbox, can be used to study cough.
![](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/1200_coughingmice-1024x720.webp)
Cell population in brainstem coordinates cough, new study shows
The work also adds to a growing body of evidence showing that mice, and their genetic toolbox, can be used to study cough.
In updated U.S. autism bill, Congress calls for funding boost, expanded scope
The current Autism CARES Act sunsets in late September.
![Capitol building](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/capitolhill-1200-1024x692.webp)
In updated U.S. autism bill, Congress calls for funding boost, expanded scope
The current Autism CARES Act sunsets in late September.
Ketamine targets lateral habenula, setting off cascade of antidepressant effects
The drug’s affinity for overactive cells in the “anti-reward” region may help explain its rapid and long-lasting results.
![Illustration of ketamine blocking open ion channels in active NMDA receptors, quieting the cells and disrupting downstream signaling involved in depression.](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/1200-ketamine-receptor-transmitter-neuroscience-1024x683.webp)
Ketamine targets lateral habenula, setting off cascade of antidepressant effects
The drug’s affinity for overactive cells in the “anti-reward” region may help explain its rapid and long-lasting results.