Brendan Borrell is a freelance journalist based in Los Angeles, California. His stories have appeared in The Atlantic, The New York Times, Bloomberg Businessweek, Outside, National Geographic and many other publications. He is the author of “The First Shots: The Epic Rivalries and Heroic Science Behind the Race to the Coronavirus Vaccine,” and he has a Ph.D. in integrative biology from the University of California, Berkeley.
Brendan Borrell
Contributing writer
From this contributor
Former Columbia University psychiatrist committed research misconduct, says federal watchdog
Bret Rutherford, whose research was halted following a suicide in a clinical trial, falsely reported participant eligibility, according to the U.S. Office of Research Integrity.
Former Columbia University psychiatrist committed research misconduct, says federal watchdog
By
Brendan Borrell, Ellie Kincaid
8 October 2024 | 3 min read
FDA describes ‘objectionable conditions’ at New York State Psychiatric Institute
The facility’s institutional review board failed to report a 2021 incident and “serious and ongoing noncompliance” by a principal investigator, according to a letter released by the federal agency this week.
FDA describes ‘objectionable conditions’ at New York State Psychiatric Institute
By
Brendan Borrell
2 April 2024 | 6 min listen
Controversial dyslexia study marred by methodological and ethical problems, researchers say
Subsequent studies have also failed to validate a range of products based on the work.
Controversial dyslexia study marred by methodological and ethical problems, researchers say
By
Brendan Borrell
27 February 2024 | 8 min read
After retractions, Alzheimer’s scientist is left cleaning up a prolific collaborator’s mess
A Michigan neuroscientist is working to correct or retract his collaborator’s findings in at least four papers, following a university investigation that has already resulted in two retractions and three corrections.
After retractions, Alzheimer’s scientist is left cleaning up a prolific collaborator’s mess
By
Brendan Borrell
9 January 2024 | 8 min read
Debate unfurls over inclusivity and authenticity in research involving minimally verbal autistic people
Autism researchers can’t agree on how far to go to validate the input they gather from minimally verbal autistic people who use certain communication devices.
Debate unfurls over inclusivity and authenticity in research involving minimally verbal autistic people
By
Brendan Borrell
25 September 2023 | 11 min read
Explore more from The Transmitter
Rise in autism prevalence but not traits; and more
Here is a roundup of autism-related news and research spotted around the web for the week of 7 July.
Rise in autism prevalence but not traits; and more
Here is a roundup of autism-related news and research spotted around the web for the week of 7 July.
By
Jill Adams
8 July 2025 | 2 min read
Drosophila, like vertebrates, filter sensory information during sleep
Predictive sensory processing in sleeping Drosophila echoes vertebrate research, establishing an evolutionarily conserved neural signature of sleep.
Drosophila, like vertebrates, filter sensory information during sleep
Predictive sensory processing in sleeping Drosophila echoes vertebrate research, establishing an evolutionarily conserved neural signature of sleep.
By
Siddhant Pusdekar
8 July 2025 | 5 min listen
Neuroscience’s open-data revolution is just getting started
Data reuse represents an opportunity to accelerate the pace of science, reduce costs and increase the value of our collective research investments. New tools that make open data easier to use—and new pressures, including funding cuts—may increase uptake.
Neuroscience’s open-data revolution is just getting started
Data reuse represents an opportunity to accelerate the pace of science, reduce costs and increase the value of our collective research investments. New tools that make open data easier to use—and new pressures, including funding cuts—may increase uptake.
By
Benjamin Dichter
7 July 2025 | 8 min listen