Jef Akst

Contributing writer

Jef (an unusual nickname for Jennifer) is a freelance writer and editor covering the life sciences. She earned her master’s degree from Indiana University in April 2009 studying the mating behavior of seahorses and spent the first 13 years of her career at The Scientist, where she edited features and oversaw the production of the publication’s digital and print magazines. In 2022, her feature on uterus transplantation earned first place in the trade category of the Awards for Excellence in Health Care Journalism. She is a member of the National Association of Science Writers.

From this contributor

Spectrum

By Jef Akst

28 February 2023

6 min read

Research image showing the presence of several proteins in neurons.

Protein networks identified in autism-linked genetic deletion

The OTUD7A gene, which may account for some traits in people missing a segment of chromosome 15, appears to interact with several known autism-linked genes.

Spectrum

Protein networks identified in autism-linked genetic deletion

By Jef Akst

28 February 2023 | 6 min read

Spectrum

By Jef Akst

14 February 2023

5 min read

Simons Foundation clinical research head Wendy Chung to lead Boston Children’s pediatrics department

Chung, a clinical and molecular geneticist, plans to continue serving as principal investigator of two large research projects involving cohorts of people with autism and related neurodevelopmental conditions.

Spectrum

Simons Foundation clinical research head Wendy Chung to lead Boston Children’s pediatrics department

By Jef Akst

14 February 2023 | 5 min read

Brain imaging

By Jef Akst

30 January 2023

6 min read

A photograph of a person preparing for an fMRI scan

Head motion mars most fMRI results, even after correction

A new measure shows how greatly movement influences associations between traits and brain activity, revealing abundant false positives and false negatives.

Brain imaging