Ben Kuebrich is a reporter for High Plains Public Radio, an NPR station in Western Kansas. He spent 10 years studying neuroscience and working in laboratories at institutions such as Emory University, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and the University of Tokyo. During that time, he also fell in love with listening to podcasts. He started his career in audio doing research and fact-checking for the Gimlet podcast “Science Vs.” You can also listen to his podcast “Selects,” which highlights the work of independent podcast producers.
Ben Kuebrich
From this contributor
Spectrum Stories: The benefits of genetic testing in autism
Finding a mutation linked to autism traits can have life-changing consequences for autistic individuals and their families.
Spectrum Stories: The benefits of genetic testing in autism
By
Ben Kuebrich
18 March 2019 | 1 min read
Spectrum Stories: Tapping intelligence in minimally verbal people with autism
Scientists are finding new ways to test cognition in autistic individuals who speak little or not at all.
Spectrum Stories: Tapping intelligence in minimally verbal people with autism
By
Ben Kuebrich
23 January 2019 | 1 min read
Spectrum Stories: Seeing through an autistic person’s eyes
Virtual reality can help typical people experience sensory hypersensitivity and other perceptual differences that autistic individuals describe. Host Ben Kuebrich reports.
Spectrum Stories: Seeing through an autistic person’s eyes
By
Ben Kuebrich
24 October 2018 | 1 min read
Spectrum Stories: Resetting the autistic brain
Deep brain stimulation is not an approved treatment for autism but has helped some people with extreme obsessions and other severe traits. Host Ben Kuebrich investigates one success story.
Spectrum Stories: Resetting the autistic brain
By
Ben Kuebrich
14 September 2018 | 1 min read
Spectrum Stories: Understanding autism’s suicide risk
Suicidal thoughts appear to be more common in autistic people but they’re also more difficult to detect. Host Ben Kuebrich reports.
Spectrum Stories: Understanding autism’s suicide risk
By
Ben Kuebrich
13 August 2018 | 1 min read
Explore more from The Transmitter
Microglia implicated in infantile amnesia
The glial cells could explain the link between maternal immune activation and autism-like behaviors in mice, but methodological challenges prompt questions about the new evidence.
Microglia implicated in infantile amnesia
The glial cells could explain the link between maternal immune activation and autism-like behaviors in mice, but methodological challenges prompt questions about the new evidence.
By
Lauren Schneider
12 February 2026 | 5 min read
Oligodendrocytes need mechanical cues to myelinate axons correctly
Without the mechanosensor TMEM63A, the cells cannot deposit the appropriate amount of insulation, according to a new study.
Oligodendrocytes need mechanical cues to myelinate axons correctly
Without the mechanosensor TMEM63A, the cells cannot deposit the appropriate amount of insulation, according to a new study.
By
Calli McMurray
11 February 2026 | 5 min read
Modern AI is simply no match for the complexity likely required for harboring consciousness, says Jaan Aru
He argues that our brain’s computations are of a completely different nature than any artificial intelligence because they take place across many spatial and temporal scales and are inextricably entwined with biological materials.
Modern AI is simply no match for the complexity likely required for harboring consciousness, says Jaan Aru
He argues that our brain’s computations are of a completely different nature than any artificial intelligence because they take place across many spatial and temporal scales and are inextricably entwined with biological materials.
By
Paul Middlebrooks
11 February 2026 | 1 min read