Leah Shaffer is a freelance science writer based in St. Louis, Missouri. Her stories have appeared in publications such as Wired, The Atlantic, Discover, NOVA Next and UnDark. She writes about biology, medicine and the weird critters inside and outside the human body.
Leah Shaffer
Freelance writer
From this contributor
Supplements, worms and stool: How families are trying to game the gut to treat autism traits
Scientists are playing catch-up as microbiome-based treatments for autism proliferate.
Supplements, worms and stool: How families are trying to game the gut to treat autism traits
By
Leah Shaffer
26 June 2019 | 16 min read
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Measuring plastic in the brain: Improving, but incomplete
Meanwhile, researchers are publishing papers without “sufficient quality control,” says analytical chemist Dušan Materić.
Measuring plastic in the brain: Improving, but incomplete
Meanwhile, researchers are publishing papers without “sufficient quality control,” says analytical chemist Dušan Materić.
By
Amber Dance
18 September 2026 | 9 min read
Incredible shrinking grant deadlines at the BRAIN Initiative
“A month is crazy,” says one former recipient, referring to a new funding opportunity’s timeline.
Incredible shrinking grant deadlines at the BRAIN Initiative
“A month is crazy,” says one former recipient, referring to a new funding opportunity’s timeline.
By
Brendan Borrell
17 September 2026 | 4 min read