Emily writes frequently about autism and related issues, and her work has appeared in print or online at Discover, New York Times, Slate, Washington Post, San Francisco Chronicle, and others. Emily has a B.A. in English with minors in German and History and a Ph.D. in biological sciences, both from The University of Texas at Austin. She also completed postdoctoral work at the University of California, San Francisco and has taught graduate and undergraduate biology for many years.
Emily Willingham
Science writer
Spectrum
From this contributor
The legacy of Steve Silberman and his book, ‘NeuroTribes’
The writer’s empathic storytelling changed how society—and researchers—view autistic people.
The legacy of Steve Silberman and his book, ‘NeuroTribes’
Spotted around the web: Week of 29 October 2018
Here is a roundup of news and research for the week of 29 October.
Spotted around the web: Week of 29 October 2018
Book Review: A mother finds reward in risk
In “The Boy Who Loved Too Much,” a woman tries to cocoon her son, who has Williams syndrome, from life’s insults but later realizes her protective instincts carry dangers of their own.
Book Review: A mother finds reward in risk
Spotted around the web: Week of 22 October 2018
Here is a roundup of news and research for the week of 22 October.
Spotted around the web: Week of 22 October 2018
Spotted around the web: Week of 15 October 2018
Here is a roundup of news and research for the week of 15 October.
Spotted around the web: Week of 15 October 2018
Explore more from The Transmitter
The fast-expanding repertoire of mitochondria in the brain
More than cellular powerhouses, these organelles also seem to help synapses communicate, support memory formation and even shape behavior.
The fast-expanding repertoire of mitochondria in the brain
More than cellular powerhouses, these organelles also seem to help synapses communicate, support memory formation and even shape behavior.
When autistic kids grow up, Chapter 5: The war dial
“You have to reshape the whole system.” Tempest McDonald earns a measure of peace.
When autistic kids grow up, Chapter 5: The war dial
“You have to reshape the whole system.” Tempest McDonald earns a measure of peace.
Scientists decry conference’s use of hidden prompts to snare AI peer reviews
The invisible messages, which instruct large language models to use telltale phrases in a peer-review report, are effective in catching artificial-intelligence misuse but also erode trust, some say.
Scientists decry conference’s use of hidden prompts to snare AI peer reviews
The invisible messages, which instruct large language models to use telltale phrases in a peer-review report, are effective in catching artificial-intelligence misuse but also erode trust, some say.