Hope Vanderberg edits articles on The Transmitter for grammar, style and accuracy. Hope began copyediting for the Simons Foundation in 2010 as a freelancer and joined the Spectrum staff in 2013. Before that, she was editor of New Youth Connections, a teen-written magazine based in New York City. She also worked as senior projects editor at Medscape from WebMD.
Hope Vanderberg
Copy chief
The Transmitter
Education
- M.A. in science journalism, New York University
- B.A. in biology, Earlham College
Explore more from The Transmitter
‘Push-pull’ recipe for neural wiring used in multiple brain regions
A versatile pair of proteins steers neurons toward their targets and helps establish the brain’s sensory maps, new studies suggest.
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A versatile pair of proteins steers neurons toward their targets and helps establish the brain’s sensory maps, new studies suggest.
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Holly Barker
5 June 2026 | 5 min read
Reward-learning algorithm hardwired into dopamine circuit
The finding bolsters the canonical model of reward prediction error, which has come under scrutiny in recent years.
Reward-learning algorithm hardwired into dopamine circuit
The finding bolsters the canonical model of reward prediction error, which has come under scrutiny in recent years.
By
Natalia Mesa
5 June 2026 | 5 min read
Exclusive: Brain and spinal cord institute halts research, citing funding problems
The Burke Neurological Institute, which calls itself “the only research institute in the U.S. dedicated to finding treatments to repair the brain and spinal cord,” ceased research operations on 22 May.
Exclusive: Brain and spinal cord institute halts research, citing funding problems
The Burke Neurological Institute, which calls itself “the only research institute in the U.S. dedicated to finding treatments to repair the brain and spinal cord,” ceased research operations on 22 May.
By
Lauren Schenkman
4 June 2026 | 5 min read