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
‘Push-pull’ recipe for neural wiring used in multiple brain regions
A versatile pair of proteins steers neurons toward their targets and helps establish the brain’s sensory maps, new studies suggest.
‘Push-pull’ recipe for neural wiring used in multiple brain regions
A versatile pair of proteins steers neurons toward their targets and helps establish the brain’s sensory maps, new studies suggest.
By
Holly Barker
5 June 2026 | 5 min read
Reward-learning algorithm hardwired into dopamine circuit
The finding bolsters the canonical model of reward prediction error, which has come under scrutiny in recent years.
Reward-learning algorithm hardwired into dopamine circuit
The finding bolsters the canonical model of reward prediction error, which has come under scrutiny in recent years.
By
Natalia Mesa
5 June 2026 | 5 min read
Exclusive: Brain and spinal cord institute halts research, citing funding problems
The Burke Neurological Institute, which calls itself “the only research institute in the U.S. dedicated to finding treatments to repair the brain and spinal cord,” ceased research operations on 22 May.
Exclusive: Brain and spinal cord institute halts research, citing funding problems
The Burke Neurological Institute, which calls itself “the only research institute in the U.S. dedicated to finding treatments to repair the brain and spinal cord,” ceased research operations on 22 May.
By
Lauren Schenkman
4 June 2026 | 5 min read