Leah Shaffer

Freelance writer

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.

From this contributor

Spectrum

By Leah Shaffer

26 June 2019

16 min read

Giant helminth flies over figure with glowing gut and microbiome

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.

Spectrum

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

Explore more from The Transmitter

Memory

By David Brzostowicki

10 August 2026

9 min read

Astroengram pattern emerging from the center of an image of a classical neuronal pattern.

Are parts of the memory trace found in the ‘astroengram?’

Neurons have long taken top billing in memory, but researchers are making the case for astrocytes.

Memory

Are parts of the memory trace found in the ‘astroengram?’

Neurons have long taken top billing in memory, but researchers are making the case for astrocytes.

By David Brzostowicki

10 August 2026 | 9 min read

Funding

By Claudia López Lloreda, Natalia Mesa

6 August 2026

5 min read

A neurocientista Julieta Sztarker realiza uma atividade educativa ao ar livre para o público em geral na Plaza Italia, em Buenos Aires.

Crise de financiamento na Argentina desencadeia nova onda de protestos

Dois anos após o colapso do financiamento à pesquisa no país, cientistas estão protestando contra a omissão do governo em restabelecer bolsas que haviam sido cortadas e aumentar os salários, conforme exigido por uma lei de 2025.

Funding