Jacob Brogan is a journalist covering technology, medicine and culture. He holds a PhD in English Literature from Cornell University and lives in Washington, D.C.
Jacob Brogan
From this contributor
Spectrum Stories: Autism, in a manner of speaking
In this episode of “Spectrum Stories,” host Jacob Brogan explains how speech — from its rhythm to its emotional content — can differ in people with autism, making social communication difficult.
Spectrum Stories: Autism, in a manner of speaking
By
Jacob Brogan
19 April 2018 | 1 min read
Spectrum Stories: Talking about autism mouse models
Scientists discuss the problems with using mice to study autism, and explain how the field might move forward.
Spectrum Stories: Talking about autism mouse models
By
Jacob Brogan
21 March 2018 | 1 min read
Spectrum Stories: Camouflaging autism traits
In this episode, host Jacob Brogan explores how and why some women try to hide their autism. There are benefits to keeping the condition concealed, but this camouflaging comes with psychological costs.
Spectrum Stories: Shifting cultural views about autism abroad
In this episode, host Jacob Brogan talks to autism researchers and families with children on the spectrum in France and Ethiopia. However different the two countries may be, advocates in both places are working to overturn outdated beliefs about autism that blame parents and block access to evidence-backed services and treatment.
Spectrum Stories: Shifting cultural views about autism abroad
By
Jacob Brogan
30 January 2018 | 1 min read
Spectrum Stories: Where autism meets sleeplessness
Scientists are trying to understand why people with autism so often have trouble sleeping, and how to help them.
Spectrum Stories: Where autism meets sleeplessness
By
Jacob Brogan
13 November 2017 | 1 min read
Explore more from The Transmitter
Autism-linked genes alter sleep behavior, and more
Here is a roundup of autism-related news and research spotted around the web for the week of 13 April.
Autism-linked genes alter sleep behavior, and more
Here is a roundup of autism-related news and research spotted around the web for the week of 13 April.
By
Jill Adams
14 April 2026 | 2 min read
This paper changed my life: Erin Calipari ponders the nuances of rewarding and aversive stimuli
A 1960s study by Kelleher and Morse found that lever pressing in squirrel monkeys depended not on whether they received a reward or shock, but on the rules of the task. This taught Calipari to think deeply about factors that influence how behavior is generated and maintained.
This paper changed my life: Erin Calipari ponders the nuances of rewarding and aversive stimuli
A 1960s study by Kelleher and Morse found that lever pressing in squirrel monkeys depended not on whether they received a reward or shock, but on the rules of the task. This taught Calipari to think deeply about factors that influence how behavior is generated and maintained.
By
Erin Calipari
14 April 2026 | 5 min read
Why neural foundation models work, and what they might—and might not—teach us about the brain
These models can partly generalize across species, brain regions and tasks, suggesting that a set of machine-learnable rules govern neural population activity. But will we be able to understand them?
Why neural foundation models work, and what they might—and might not—teach us about the brain
These models can partly generalize across species, brain regions and tasks, suggesting that a set of machine-learnable rules govern neural population activity. But will we be able to understand them?
By
Juan Gallego
13 April 2026 | 8 min read