Policy

Recent articles

Illustration of scientists climbing over a barrier to reach publications.

Scientific talent is global. Access to the world’s scientific stage is not.

Neuroscience in Chile, and across Latin America, does not lack talent or ideas, but the systems that make science visible—prestigious journals, conferences and networks—increasingly price its researchers out.

By Vicente Medel
3 August 2026 | 8 min read
Illustration of scientists climbing over a barrier to reach publications.

O talento científico é global. O acesso ao cenário científico mundial, não.

A neurociência no Chile e em toda a América Latina não enfrenta falta de talento nem de ideias, mas os sistemas que dão visibilidade à ciência—periódicos de prestígio, conferências e redes—estão cada vez mais fora do alcance financeiro dos pesquisadores.

By Vicente Medel
3 August 2026 | 11 min read
Illustration of scientists climbing over a barrier to reach publications.

El talento científico es global. El acceso al escenario científico mundial, no.

La neurociencia en Chile y a través de Latinoamérica no carece de talento ni ideas, pero los sistemas que hacen la ciencia visible—revistas, conferencias y redes prestigiosas—dejan cada vez más a sus investigadores fuera debido a los costos.

By Vicente Medel
3 August 2026 | 11 min read
Illustration of brain taking shape.

Neuroscientists weigh in on White House proposal for ‘moonshot infrastructure’ for connectomics

A report from the Trump administration calls for a “new golden age” of science, in which the federal government supports mission-driven collaborations to deliver high returns on research investments.

By Sarah Thau
24 July 2026 | 4 min read
Ilustração de um cientista diante de uma paisagem fragmentada.

Redefinindo a sub-representação na neurociência mundial

Mudar o foco das iniciativas de equidade das categorias identitárias para as barreiras estruturais pode revelar desafios negligenciados e aumentar o apoio e a participação em todo o mundo.

Ilustración del científico frente a un paisaje fracturado.

Redefiniendo la subrepresentación en la neurociencia global

Si se cambia el enfoque de las iniciativas de promoción de equidad desde categorías de identidad a barreras estructurales, se revelan desafíos que habían pasado desapercibidos que pueden aumentar la participación a nivel mundial.

Illustration of scientist facing a fractured landscape.

Redefining underrepresentation in global neuroscience

Shifting the focus of equity initiatives from identity categories to structural barriers can reveal overlooked challenges and increase support and participation worldwide.

Two fingers turning a small dial.

When autistic kids grow up, Chapter 5: The war dial

“You have to reshape the whole system.” Tempest McDonald earns a measure of peace.

By Brady Huggett
2 July 2026 | 42 min listen
Photo collage featuring a portrait of Tempest McDonald.

When autistic kids grow up, Chapter 4: How did things unfold?

Tempest McDonald sues Vanderbilt University Medical Center through the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. Her published NIH paper finds allies.

By Brady Huggett
25 June 2026 | 27 min listen
Photo collage featuring Tempest McDonald.

When autistic kids grow up, Chapter 3: Would there be data?

Tempest McDonald takes a postdoctoral position at Vanderbilt University. Researching her paper accusing the National Institutes of Health of discrimination threatens everything she has built.

By Brady Huggett
18 June 2026 | 27 min listen

Explore more from The Transmitter

Cortical organoids.

Five-year-old human brain organoids aged on schedule

The cultured spheres typically mimic only prenatal development, but the five-year-old ones grown in Paola Arlotta’s lab acquired postnatal features.

By Claudia López Lloreda
19 August 2026 | 5 min read

Brainstem neurons add new element to ‘already complex’ anxiety circuitry

Precise optogenetic modulation of a medullary neuron population reveals their role in anxiety-like behaviors.

By Sarah Thau
19 August 2026 | 0 min watch