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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Highlights from the first-ever Neural Genetics and Epigenetics Gordon Research Conference
The meeting’s organizers recap the science to watch.
Highlights from the first-ever Neural Genetics and Epigenetics Gordon Research Conference
The meeting’s organizers recap the science to watch.
By
Francisco J. Rivera Rosario
30 July 2026 | 4 min read
Cortical territories compete in developmental space race
Sensory and association regions are established through a reciprocal process, according to a new model of cortical development.
Cortical territories compete in developmental space race
Sensory and association regions are established through a reciprocal process, according to a new model of cortical development.
By
Holly Barker
30 July 2026 | 5 min read
Dendrites compute independently of cell body
Depending on their distance from the cell body, dendrites play different roles in learning and memory.
Dendrites compute independently of cell body
Depending on their distance from the cell body, dendrites play different roles in learning and memory.
By
Natalia Mesa
29 July 2026 | 5 min read