Maris Fessenden is a freelance journalist and illustrator based in Bozeman, Montana. They report and write about scientific methods, genetics, health, wildlife and ecology, and the intersection of science and art.
Maris Fessenden
Contributing writer
Freelance
From this contributor
Lightweight system captures brain activity while mice jump
A thin “micro-tether” and rotating connector facilitate uninterrupted, hours-long neural population recordings as the animals freely explore their environment.
Lightweight system captures brain activity while mice jump
By
Maris Fessenden
26 September 2023 | 3 min read
Atlas of developing brain reveals rainbow of cell types
An online resource reveals all major cell types in the developing human brain during the period in which autism is thought to arise.
Atlas of developing brain reveals rainbow of cell types
By
Maris Fessenden
20 September 2019 | 2 min read
New method dramatically scales up mapping of active genes in cells
A new technique enables scientists to isolate, and chart gene expression in, tens of thousands of cells at once.
New method dramatically scales up mapping of active genes in cells
By
Maris Fessenden
23 August 2019 | 2 min read
Online platform offers one-stop shop for studying brain circuits
A browser-based platform simulates functional neuronal circuits in the brain regions of several species.
Online platform offers one-stop shop for studying brain circuits
By
Maris Fessenden
2 August 2019 | 2 min read
Database, lab tricks may crack secrets of the synapse
Two new resources may aid the study of synapses, the junctions between neurons.
Database, lab tricks may crack secrets of the synapse
By
Maris Fessenden
19 July 2019 | 2 min read
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In his new book, “The Laws of Thought,” Griffiths shows how these three pillars of study complement one another and together form a solid foundation to eventually explain all of our cognition, from brain to mind.
Tom Griffiths describes how neural networks, logic and probability theory together explain cognition
In his new book, “The Laws of Thought,” Griffiths shows how these three pillars of study complement one another and together form a solid foundation to eventually explain all of our cognition, from brain to mind.
By
Paul Middlebrooks
11 March 2026 | 100 min listen
This paper changed my life: Talia Lerner reflects on dopamine neuron diversity and the value of simple experiments
In a 2011 Neuron study, Stephan Lammel and his colleagues showed that dopamine neurons with different projections have different physiological properties. The work inspired Lerner to think about how to challenge widely held assumptions in the field.
This paper changed my life: Talia Lerner reflects on dopamine neuron diversity and the value of simple experiments
In a 2011 Neuron study, Stephan Lammel and his colleagues showed that dopamine neurons with different projections have different physiological properties. The work inspired Lerner to think about how to challenge widely held assumptions in the field.
By
Talia Lerner
11 March 2026 | 6 min read
Portfolio of SCN2A gene variants, and more
Here is a roundup of autism-related news and research spotted around the web for the week of 9 March.
Portfolio of SCN2A gene variants, and more
Here is a roundup of autism-related news and research spotted around the web for the week of 9 March.
By
Jill Adams
10 March 2026 | 2 min read