Lydia Hickman is a graduate student in the Cook Lab at the University of Birmingham in the United Kingdom. In her Ph.D. work, she explores the fundamental biological mechanisms underlying motor function and social cognition in the context of autism and Parkinson’s disease. Lydia co-founded the U21 Autism Research Network, an international collaboration among six research groups aiming to improve diversity and inclusion in autism research.

Lydia Hickman
Graduate student
University of Birmingham in the United Kingdom
From this contributor
Ways to make autism research more diverse and inclusive
Scientists must focus on the importance of representative study samples and of engaging with diverse autism community members.

Ways to make autism research more diverse and inclusive
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Coding error caused layoffs at National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke this week, source says
Thirty employees—including 11 lab heads—at the institute should “immediately return to work,” according to an email the institute’s Office of Human Resources sent to top administration at the institute Wednesday evening.

Coding error caused layoffs at National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke this week, source says
Thirty employees—including 11 lab heads—at the institute should “immediately return to work,” according to an email the institute’s Office of Human Resources sent to top administration at the institute Wednesday evening.
PTEN problems underscore autism connection to excess brain fluid
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PTEN problems underscore autism connection to excess brain fluid
Damaging variants in the autism-linked gene cause congenital hydrocephalus—a buildup of cerebrospinal fluid in the brain—by turbocharging a downstream signaling pathway that promotes the growth of cells, according to a new study.
U.S. health agency purge includes 10 lab heads at National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke
The reasons for selecting these researchers—who have led work on neuronal migration, dopamine receptors in neuronal signaling and the structure of ion channels, among other areas—remain unclear.

U.S. health agency purge includes 10 lab heads at National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke
The reasons for selecting these researchers—who have led work on neuronal migration, dopamine receptors in neuronal signaling and the structure of ion channels, among other areas—remain unclear.