Polina Porotskaya is a former intern at Spectrum and a graduate student in the Science, Health and Environmental Reporting Program at New York University. Polina writes about neuroscience, biology and medicine. She has a B.A. in neuroscience from Columbia University.
Polina Porotskaya
From this contributor
Inside a summer camp for autistic children in Russia
Photographs show how a camp in St. Petersburg this summer helped children on the spectrum and their families find some fun during the pandemic.
Inside a summer camp for autistic children in Russia
By
Polina Porotskaya
1 September 2020 | 5 min read
Cell stress may sap organoids’ usefulness in autism research
Some cells in brain organoids — 3D clusters of cultured brain cells — fail to develop fully.
Cell stress may sap organoids’ usefulness in autism research
By
Polina Porotskaya
26 February 2020 | 3 min read
Diabetes drug delivers multiple benefits for people with fragile X syndrome
Researcher Randi Hagerman is a big proponent of metformin — a diabetes drug that she is testing in people with fragile X syndrome. In fact, Hagerman takes the drug herself as a preventive measure against cancer.
Diabetes drug delivers multiple benefits for people with fragile X syndrome
By
Polina Porotskaya
17 September 2019 | 6 min read
Mutations in sperm may accrue too slowly to increase autism risk
A new analysis challenges the idea that mutations in the sperm of older fathers lead to higher rates of autism among their children.
Mutations in sperm may accrue too slowly to increase autism risk
By
Polina Porotskaya
5 September 2019 | 4 min read
New maps of neuronal connections reveal roundworms’ wiring
Two new maps show the entire nervous system of the adult roundworm Caenorhabditis elegans.
New maps of neuronal connections reveal roundworms’ wiring
By
Polina Porotskaya
30 August 2019 | 2 min read
Explore more from The Transmitter
Cooperating marmosets extend decision-making model of the brain
When a pair of marmosets works together to earn some marshmallow fluff, one of them decides to act only after its brain accumulates enough evidence about what the other is doing, new work shows.
Cooperating marmosets extend decision-making model of the brain
When a pair of marmosets works together to earn some marshmallow fluff, one of them decides to act only after its brain accumulates enough evidence about what the other is doing, new work shows.
By
Calli McMurray
24 June 2026 | 1 min watch
Designer synapses edit brain circuits in living animals
The approach could help elucidate relationships between circuit structure and function, as well as the role of natural electrical synapses.
Designer synapses edit brain circuits in living animals
The approach could help elucidate relationships between circuit structure and function, as well as the role of natural electrical synapses.
By
Simon Makin
23 June 2026 | 5 min read
Role of GABA-A receptors in dup15q syndrome, and more
Here is a roundup of autism-related news and research spotted around the web for the week of 22 June.
Role of GABA-A receptors in dup15q syndrome, and more
Here is a roundup of autism-related news and research spotted around the web for the week of 22 June.
By
Jill Adams
23 June 2026 | 2 min read