Jessica Wright was senior news writer at Spectrum from 2010 to 2019. Her writing has also appeared in Nature and Scientific American.
Jessica has a Ph.D. in biological sciences from Stanford University.
Jessica Wright
From this contributor
Autism prevalence in the United States, explained
The bulk of the increase in autism prevalence stems from a growing awareness of the condition and changes to the diagnostic criteria.
Autism prevalence in the United States, explained
By
Jessica Wright
3 September 2020 | 8 min read
Analysis of sequences pegs 102 top autism genes
The number of top autism genes has risen from 65 to 102, based on an analysis of more than 35,000 sequences. And researchers are seeing the first hints of autism risk variants in the regions between genes.
Analysis of sequences pegs 102 top autism genes
By
Jessica Wright
24 January 2020 | 4 min read
Early life experiences may shift severity of autism
A child’s environment exerts a strong influence on the severity of her autism, a study of identical twins suggests.
Early life experiences may shift severity of autism
By
Jessica Wright
17 January 2020 | 4 min read
The link between epilepsy and autism, explained
Autism and epileptic seizures often go hand in hand. What explains the overlap, and what does it reveal about autism’s origins?
The link between epilepsy and autism, explained
By
Jessica Wright
21 October 2019 | 4 min read
Can preventing seizures alter the course of autism?
Experimental surgeries to prevent seizures may help scientists understand the link between autism and epilepsy.
Can preventing seizures alter the course of autism?
By
Jessica Wright
18 September 2019 | 17 min read
Explore more from The Transmitter
NIH neurodevelopmental assessment system now available as iPad app
Here is a roundup of autism-related news and research spotted around the web for the week of 24 March.
NIH neurodevelopmental assessment system now available as iPad app
Here is a roundup of autism-related news and research spotted around the web for the week of 24 March.
By
Jill Adams
25 March 2025 | 2 min read
Keep sex as a biological variable: Don’t let NIH upheaval turn back the clock on scientific rigor
Even in the absence of any formal instruction to do so, we should continue to hold our ourselves and our neuroscience colleagues accountable for SABV practices.
Keep sex as a biological variable: Don’t let NIH upheaval turn back the clock on scientific rigor
Even in the absence of any formal instruction to do so, we should continue to hold our ourselves and our neuroscience colleagues accountable for SABV practices.
By
Rebecca Shansky
25 March 2025 | 7 min read
Single-cell genomics technologies and cell atlases have ushered in a new era of human neurobiology
Single-cell approaches are already shedding light on the human brain, identifying cell types that are most vulnerable in the early stages of Alzheimer’s disease, for example.
Single-cell genomics technologies and cell atlases have ushered in a new era of human neurobiology
Single-cell approaches are already shedding light on the human brain, identifying cell types that are most vulnerable in the early stages of Alzheimer’s disease, for example.
By
Ed Lein, Hongkui Zeng
24 March 2025 | 7 min read