Nora Bradford is a lecturer in the Critical Writing Program at the University of Pennsylvania. She completed a Ph.D. in cognitive science at the University of California, Irvine and a B.S. in neuroscience, psychology and philosophy at the University of Chicago. Bradford has previously written freelance articles for Spectrum.
Nora Bradford
Lecturer, Critical Writing Program
University of Pennsylvania
From this contributor
‘Friction-maxxing’ in school: Students should read primary literature, not AI summaries
Trainees need to learn how to identify a neuroscience paper’s major takeaways and integrate them into their understanding. This skill doesn’t come from outsourcing the work to large language models.
‘Friction-maxxing’ in school: Students should read primary literature, not AI summaries
By
Nora Bradford
26 March 2026 | 5 min read
Epigenome edits unmute MECP2 in Rett-like neurons
The approach removes methyl tags from the gene and shields it from other silencing factors without changing the gene itself, raising hopes for a new treatment.
Epigenome edits unmute MECP2 in Rett-like neurons
By
Nora Bradford
16 February 2023 | 5 min read
Common and rare autism-linked variants share functional effects
Within the 16p region of the genome, the two types of variants similarly decrease neuronal gene expression — an effect that may reflect their spatial relationship.
Common and rare autism-linked variants share functional effects
By
Nora Bradford
1 December 2022 | 4 min read
Auditory cortex may develop early in autism
A well-studied brain response to sound appears earlier than usual in young children with autism.
Auditory cortex may develop early in autism
By
Nora Bradford
16 September 2022 | 3 min read
Explore more from The Transmitter
New projectome captures ‘complex beast’ of serotonin system in mice
The whole-brain map—the first of its kind in a vertebrate—identifies five distinct neuron groups.
New projectome captures ‘complex beast’ of serotonin system in mice
The whole-brain map—the first of its kind in a vertebrate—identifies five distinct neuron groups.
By
Madeline Shaw
2 October 2026 | 0 min watch
Silent, motion-resistant fMRI expands scans in behaving mice
The method, called SORDINO, captures brain images in animals while they move and interact.
Silent, motion-resistant fMRI expands scans in behaving mice
The method, called SORDINO, captures brain images in animals while they move and interact.
By
Diana Kwon
2 October 2026 | 5 min read
Autism-linked variants converge on two molecular patterns in mouse brains
Gene activity across 17 autism mouse models occurs in either of two opposing transcriptomic states, supporting the idea that diverse genetic changes may converge on a few recurring biological patterns.
Autism-linked variants converge on two molecular patterns in mouse brains
Gene activity across 17 autism mouse models occurs in either of two opposing transcriptomic states, supporting the idea that diverse genetic changes may converge on a few recurring biological patterns.
By
Giorgia Guglielmi
1 October 2026 | 4 min read