Erik Vance


Erik Vance is a native Bay Area writer replanted in Mexico as a non-native species. Before becoming a writer, he was, at turns, a biologist, a rock-climbing guide, an environmental consultant and an environmental educator.

His work focuses on the human element of science — the people who do it, those who benefit from it and those who do not. He has written for The New York Times, Nature, Scientific American, Harper’s, National Geographic and a number of other local and national outlets. His first book, “Suggestible You,” about how the mind and body continually twist and shape our realities, was supported in part by the Pulitzer Center on Crisis Reporting and is available on Amazon or through SuggestibleYou.com.

From this contributor

Explore more from The Transmitter

Psychedelics muddy fMRI results: Q&A with Adam Bauer and Jonah Padawer-Curry

The drugs disrupt the link between vascular and neuronal activity, which complicates interpretations of fMRI data. Adopting a more holistic view of what constitutes brain activity may help, the researchers say.

By Calli McMurray
29 October 2025 | 7 min read
Headshots of Philip Adeniyi, Samir Ahboucha, Willias Masoch and Daniel Gams Massi.

First Pan-African neuroscience journal gets ready to launch

With lower-than-average article processing fees, and issues dedicated to topics important to the continent, the journal hopes to give African neuroscience research much-needed international visibility.

By Lauren Schenkman
28 October 2025 | 5 min listen
Illustration of an open journal featuring lines of text and small illustrations of eyes and mouths.

New method identifies two-hit genetic variation in autism; and more

Here is a roundup of autism-related news and research spotted around the web for the week of 27 October.

By Jill Adams
28 October 2025 | 2 min read

privacy consent banner

Privacy Preference

We use cookies to provide you with the best online experience. By clicking “Accept All,” you help us understand how our site is used and enhance its performance. You can change your choice at any time. To learn more, please visit our Privacy Policy.