Kristin Sainani is associate teaching professor of epidemiology and population health at Stanford University in California.
Kristin Sainani
Teaching professor
Stanford University
From this contributor
Journal Club: Meta-analysis oversells popular autism screen
The Modified Checklist for Autism in Toddlers (M-CHAT) accurately flags autistic toddlers, a new systematic review and meta-analysis suggests, contrary to past evidence that the tool’s validity varies depending on a child’s age and traits. Experts weigh in on the discrepancy.
Journal Club: Meta-analysis oversells popular autism screen
By
Spectrum
14 March 2023 | 5 min read
Flawed methods undermine study on undiagnosed autism and suicide
The researchers attempted to retroactively identify signs of autism in people who died by suicide, but their analysis is not convincing.
Flawed methods undermine study on undiagnosed autism and suicide
By
Kristin Sainani
28 February 2022 | 3 min read
Study links screen time to autism, but problems abound
The paper relied on parent-reported data and adjusted for few potentially confounding variables.
Study links screen time to autism, but problems abound
By
Kristin Sainani
1 February 2022 | 4 min read
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Cracking the neural code for emotional states
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Rather than act as a simple switchboard for innate behaviors, the hypothalamus encodes an animal's internal state, which influences behavior.
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8 January 2026 | 8 min read
Alex Maier argues that a scientific explanation of consciousness requires grounding in formalized mathematics
When it comes to discovering laws of nature for consciousness similar to those in physics, Maier argues that integrated information theory is the only game in town.
Alex Maier argues that a scientific explanation of consciousness requires grounding in formalized mathematics
When it comes to discovering laws of nature for consciousness similar to those in physics, Maier argues that integrated information theory is the only game in town.
By
Paul Middlebrooks
7 January 2026 | 1 min read