Isabel Ruehl is a former editorial intern at Spectrum. She recently graduated from Columbia Journalism School and, before that, earned an M.Phil. in Health, Medicine and Society from Cambridge University in the United Kingdom.
Isabel Ruehl
Former news intern
Spectrum
From this contributor
‘Science working as it should’: Autism blood signature study earns open post-publication review
Shortly after the study’s publication, experts critiqued it on PubPeer and other online platforms.
‘Science working as it should’: Autism blood signature study earns open post-publication review
By
Isabel Ruehl
10 January 2023 | 5 min read
Whole-genome trove ties new genes, variants to autism
A massive update to the MSSNG dataset gives qualified researchers ready access to explore autism’s genetic architecture on a cloud-based platform.
Whole-genome trove ties new genes, variants to autism
By
Isabel Ruehl
12 December 2022 | 4 min read
Autism incidence in England varies by ethnicity, class, location
High rates of autism are linked to lower socioeconomic status and minority ethnic groups, according to the largest-ever autism incidence study.
Autism incidence in England varies by ethnicity, class, location
By
Isabel Ruehl
6 December 2022 | 5 min read
‘Assembloids’ lay bare autism-linked genes that hamper neuron development
The model enables the study of autism-linked genes at the earliest stages of neural development.
‘Assembloids’ lay bare autism-linked genes that hamper neuron development
By
Isabel Ruehl
30 November 2022 | 4 min read
Lab-grown ‘embryoids’ offer new window into gene-trait relationships
The developmental models have advantages over natural embryos and other synthetic models, such as organoids, but present technical and ethical challenges.
Lab-grown ‘embryoids’ offer new window into gene-trait relationships
By
Isabel Ruehl
26 October 2022 | 4 min read
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Johannes Jaeger explains why we should care that brains and AI are not the same
From single cells to whole organisms, living beings must continuously regenerate themselves and judge what's important to continue living. Artificial intelligence does not and cannot.
Johannes Jaeger explains why we should care that brains and AI are not the same
From single cells to whole organisms, living beings must continuously regenerate themselves and judge what's important to continue living. Artificial intelligence does not and cannot.
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Paul Middlebrooks
1 July 2026 | 1 min read
What mosquitos lay bare about proprioception
By comparing the proprioceptive systems of mosquitos and fruit flies, Sweta Agrawal aims to uncover fundamental features of the ability to sense self-movement.
What mosquitos lay bare about proprioception
By comparing the proprioceptive systems of mosquitos and fruit flies, Sweta Agrawal aims to uncover fundamental features of the ability to sense self-movement.
By
Calli McMurray
1 July 2026 | 5 min read
Recording warning: Common brain signal may be misunderstood
High gamma activity in electrophysiologic recordings reflects widespread neural activity, not merely local firing, as previously thought.
Recording warning: Common brain signal may be misunderstood
High gamma activity in electrophysiologic recordings reflects widespread neural activity, not merely local firing, as previously thought.
By
Claudia López Lloreda
30 June 2026 | 5 min read