David Amaral

Director
Autism BrainNet

David Amaral is distinguished professor of psychiatry and behavioral sciences at the University of California, Davis MIND Institute.

From this contributor

Spectrum

By Deborah Fein, David Amaral, Einat Waizbard-Bartov

25 January 2024

8 min read

An illustration of a magnifying glass, checklists, and anonymous figures.

‘Prototypical autism’ research is likely a dead end

Efforts to define “frank” or “classic” forms of the condition build on several assumptions that the science has not yet borne out.

An illustration of a magnifying glass, checklists, and anonymous figures.

Spectrum

‘Prototypical autism’ research is likely a dead end

By Deborah Fein, David Amaral, Einat Waizbard-Bartov

25 January 2024 | 8 min read

Spectrum

By Katie Moisse

15 December 2015

6 min read

Spectrum from The Transmitter.

Questions for Amaral, Halladay: Boosting brainpower

A new network of brain banks aims to collect and disburse tissue donations to U.S. autism researchers.

Spectrum from The Transmitter.

Spectrum

Questions for Amaral, Halladay: Boosting brainpower

By Katie Moisse

15 December 2015 | 6 min read

Explore more from The Transmitter

Craft and careers

By Ziv Ben-Zion

22 July 2026

7 min read

Illustration of man holding a microphone facing an audience.

After the ‘Thank you’ slide: When lived trauma enters trauma neuroscience

Trauma researchers need professional norms that allow brief, humane acknowledgment when acute trauma directly affects a scientific community.

Illustration of man holding a microphone facing an audience.

Craft and careers

After the ‘Thank you’ slide: When lived trauma enters trauma neuroscience

Trauma researchers need professional norms that allow brief, humane acknowledgment when acute trauma directly affects a scientific community.

By Ziv Ben-Zion

22 July 2026 | 7 min read

Science and society

By Keerthana Iyer, Arish Mudra Rakshasa-Loots, Ana Silva, Violetta Zujovic

21 July 2026

5 min read

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.

Illustration of scientist facing a fractured landscape.

Science and society

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.

By Keerthana Iyer, Arish Mudra Rakshasa-Loots, Ana Silva, Violetta Zujovic

21 July 2026 | 5 min read

Spectrum

By Jill Adams

21 July 2026

2 min read

Illustration of an open journal featuring lines of text and small illustrations of eyes and mouths.

Separate neuronal pathways mediate social, attentional behaviors

Here is a roundup of autism-related news and research spotted around the web for the week of 20 July.

Illustration of an open journal featuring lines of text and small illustrations of eyes and mouths.

Spectrum

Separate neuronal pathways mediate social, attentional behaviors

Here is a roundup of autism-related news and research spotted around the web for the week of 20 July.

By Jill Adams

21 July 2026 | 2 min read