Peter Hess was a reporter for Spectrum from 2019 to 2023, where he covered cannabinoids, autism prevalence, social hormones and other topics. Before joining Spectrum in 2019, he was associate science editor at Inverse, where he wrote and edited stories for a broad audience on a wide range of scientific topics, including drugs, evolution and environmental science. His work has also appeared in The Washington Post, New Scientist, Popular Science and Motherboard. Peter has an M.A. in science journalism from New York University’s Science, Health and Environmental Reporting Program. Find him on Twitter at @PeterNHess.
Peter Hess
Former news writer
Spectrum
From this contributor
Capturing autism’s sleep problems with devices nearable and wearable
Next-generation trackers could realize a long-standing research dream: conducting sleep studies in large numbers of autistic people.
Capturing autism’s sleep problems with devices nearable and wearable
By
Angie Voyles Askham, Peter Hess
6 June 2023 | 5 min read
Going on Trial: Epidiolex for autism; arbaclofen tests; pain monitoring
This month’s issue of Going on Trial takes a sneak peek at some early null results from a small trial of a cannabidiol-based drug for autism, among other recent drug developments.
Going on Trial: Epidiolex for autism; arbaclofen tests; pain monitoring
By
Peter Hess
30 May 2023 | 7 min read
Swings and misses with Jeremy Veenstra-VanderWeele
A careful clinician who prizes evidence, Jeremy Veenstra-VanderWeele is happy to embrace trial failures, as long as he learns from them.
Ruth Carper: Imaging the aging brain in autistic adults
Few studies have tracked how brain structure and function change across adulthood in people with autism. Carper and her colleagues are collecting data to fill this gap.
Ruth Carper: Imaging the aging brain in autistic adults
By
Peter Hess
19 May 2023 | 7 min read
Autism-related genes converge on microglia and dopamine in zebrafish
The findings add to the growing evidence that genes with disparate functions can play similar roles in brain development.
Autism-related genes converge on microglia and dopamine in zebrafish
By
Peter Hess
12 May 2023 | 4 min read
Explore more from The Transmitter
Prevalence of profound autism declines with new definition
The updated, more precise definition used in a CDC study includes adaptive scores.
Prevalence of profound autism declines with new definition
The updated, more precise definition used in a CDC study includes adaptive scores.
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Brianna Abbott
22 October 2026 | 5 min read
Is it time for neuroscience to shift its focus from a computational mind to a navigating mind?
Andrea Hiott explains her navigational approach to the mind, and why now is the time to embrace seemingly paradoxical findings in neuroscience.
Is it time for neuroscience to shift its focus from a computational mind to a navigating mind?
Andrea Hiott explains her navigational approach to the mind, and why now is the time to embrace seemingly paradoxical findings in neuroscience.
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Paul Middlebrooks
21 October 2026 | 1 min read
Human brain organoids come of age—but still have room to grow
The U.S. government has touted organoids as an alternative to animals for studying the brain. The model has improved since its debut in 2013, but scientists are still working to overcome key limitations: immaturity, consistency and the lack of vascularization.
Human brain organoids come of age—but still have room to grow
The U.S. government has touted organoids as an alternative to animals for studying the brain. The model has improved since its debut in 2013, but scientists are still working to overcome key limitations: immaturity, consistency and the lack of vascularization.
By
Claudia López Lloreda
21 October 2026 | 9 min read