Emily is a former editorial intern at Spectrum and a graduate student in New York University’s Science, Health & Environmental Reporting Program. Previously, Emily worked on aging research in Boston, Massachusetts. She has a B.A. in chemistry from Williams College in Williamstown, Massachusetts.
Emily Harris
Former news intern
Spectrum
From this contributor
Prenatal exposures; Angelman trial suspension; autistic adult well-being
This month’s issue of the Null and Noteworthy newsletter breaks down some negative results involving prenatal exposures, an experimental treatment for Angelman syndrome, and the role that age at autism diagnosis plays in subsequent outcomes, and more.
Prenatal exposures; Angelman trial suspension; autistic adult well-being
By
Emily Harris
17 July 2023 | 4 min read
Null and Noteworthy: Modified MRI; father findings
This month’s newsletter tackles null findings from an attempted replication of a “revolutionary” MRI approach and an analysis of family genetics.
Null and Noteworthy: Modified MRI; father findings
By
Emily Harris
22 June 2023 | 4 min read
Null and Noteworthy: Reinforcing rigor; medication medley
This month’s newsletter highlights findings on the use of three medication types during pregnancy.
Null and Noteworthy: Reinforcing rigor; medication medley
By
Emily Harris
14 December 2022 | 4 min read
Null and Noteworthy: COVID-19 conclusions; diagnosis duplication; oxytocin again
This month’s newsletter explores the pandemic’s effects on autism rates, trends in co-occurring mental health conditions, and the impact of intranasal oxytocin.
Null and Noteworthy: COVID-19 conclusions; diagnosis duplication; oxytocin again
By
Emily Harris
10 November 2022 | 5 min read
Null and Noteworthy: Medication timing; oxytocin amounts; sensory sameness
Parents’ health, treatment dosages and sensory perception feature in this month’s crop of null and replicated results.
Null and Noteworthy: Medication timing; oxytocin amounts; sensory sameness
By
Emily Harris
13 October 2022 | 5 min read
Explore more from The Transmitter
Why neural foundation models work, and what they might—and might not—teach us about the brain
These models can partly generalize across species, brain regions and tasks, suggesting that a set of machine-learnable rules govern neural population activity. But will we be able to understand them?
Why neural foundation models work, and what they might—and might not—teach us about the brain
These models can partly generalize across species, brain regions and tasks, suggesting that a set of machine-learnable rules govern neural population activity. But will we be able to understand them?
By
Juan Gallego
13 April 2026 | 8 min read
Error equation predicts brain’s ability to generalize
Four statistical measurements of neural network geometry capture how well brains and artificial networks use what they already know to solve new problems, a study suggests.
Error equation predicts brain’s ability to generalize
Four statistical measurements of neural network geometry capture how well brains and artificial networks use what they already know to solve new problems, a study suggests.
By
Natalia Mesa
10 April 2026 | 5 min read
Embrace complexity to improve the translatability of basic neuroscience
Researchers must learn to view heterogeneity as an essential feature of the systems they study and a central consideration in experimental design, not a variable to control for or reduce.
Embrace complexity to improve the translatability of basic neuroscience
Researchers must learn to view heterogeneity as an essential feature of the systems they study and a central consideration in experimental design, not a variable to control for or reduce.
By
Linda Douw, Klaus Eyer, Lara Keuck
9 April 2026 | 5 min read