Donald McCarthy is a writer and teacher from New York. A complete list of his works can be found at www.donaldmccarthy.com.
Donald McCarthy
From this contributor
The cost of a delayed autism diagnosis
Many people go more than half of their lives before learning that they are autistic; one writer on the spectrum believes we can do better.
The cost of a delayed autism diagnosis
By
Donald McCarthy, Undark
3 December 2019 | 6 min read
Explore more from The Transmitter
Grant review needs reform. How about we add an element of chance?
A process that uses a lottery system saves time, reduces strategic resubmission and accepts that, above a quality threshold, luck has always played a part in science funding.
Grant review needs reform. How about we add an element of chance?
A process that uses a lottery system saves time, reduces strategic resubmission and accepts that, above a quality threshold, luck has always played a part in science funding.
By
Adrien Peyrache
25 September 2026 | 6 min read
Fly neurons carry molecular signatures of their origins
The pattern of transcription factors a Drosophila neuron expresses offers clues to its lineage and birth order—and ultimately how neural circuits emerge.
Fly neurons carry molecular signatures of their origins
The pattern of transcription factors a Drosophila neuron expresses offers clues to its lineage and birth order—and ultimately how neural circuits emerge.
By
Alissa de Chassey
25 September 2026 | 5 min read
Polarized cortical organoids mimic the brain’s regional organization
The organoids show region-specific gene-expression changes that match those observed during fetal development.
Polarized cortical organoids mimic the brain’s regional organization
The organoids show region-specific gene-expression changes that match those observed during fetal development.
By
Holly Barker
24 September 2026 | 4 min read