Catherine Caruso is a freelance science journalist based in Boston, Massachusetts. Her work has appeared in Scientific American, MIT Technology Review and Hakai Magazine. She has a master’s degree in zoology from the University of New Hampshire and a master’s degree in science writing from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.
Catherine Caruso
From this contributor
Diagnostic odyssey; breaking through; leading role
A doctor decodes a rare genetic condition, burnout is a big problem in science, and an actor with autism will play the lead in “The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time.”
Diagnostic odyssey; breaking through; leading role
By
Catherine Caruso
19 May 2017 | 5 min read
Collaborative conference; drug danger; autism map
Autism researchers and advocates gather in San Francisco, nearly one-third of drugs approved in the United States are later linked to safety issues, and an interactive map lays out locations of U.S. autism clinics.
Collaborative conference; drug danger; autism map
By
Catherine Caruso
12 May 2017 | 4 min read
Network television; facing forward; warm welcome
Researchers captured networks of neurons lighting up in a small aquatic animal, facial recognition software can flag genetic conditions, and a Muppet with autism makes her debut on “Sesame Street.”
Network television; facing forward; warm welcome
By
Catherine Caruso
14 April 2017 | 4 min read
Funding free fall; mending mutations; film focus
Donald Trump’s budget blueprint calls for considerable cuts to science agencies, CRISPR corrects mutations in human embryos, and a documentary highlights the challenges faced by an adult with autism.
Funding free fall; mending mutations; film focus
By
Catherine Caruso
17 March 2017 | 4 min read
Behavior boost; double data; common interests
Neuroscientists should not forget that brains have owners, a new genetic database makes its debut, and the intense interests of people with autism offer opportunities.
Behavior boost; double data; common interests
By
Katie Moisse, Catherine Caruso
3 March 2017 | 4 min read
Explore more from The Transmitter
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.
By
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
Finding neuroheterogeneity’s sweet spot
Once thought to be detrimental to memory processing, neuronal diversity—at the right ‘Goldilocks’ dose—is a new boon to theoretical neuroscience.
Finding neuroheterogeneity’s sweet spot
Once thought to be detrimental to memory processing, neuronal diversity—at the right ‘Goldilocks’ dose—is a new boon to theoretical neuroscience.
By
Natalia Mesa
20 October 2026 | 7 min read