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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When autistic kids grow up, Chapter 4: How did things unfold?
Tempest McDonald sues Vanderbilt University through the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. Her published NIH paper finds allies.
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Tempest McDonald sues Vanderbilt University through the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. Her published NIH paper finds allies.
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NeuroDev study maps previously unseen genetic variation in Africa
The project is helping to fill critical gaps in the genetic underpinnings of autism and other neurodevelopmental conditions.
NeuroDev study maps previously unseen genetic variation in Africa
The project is helping to fill critical gaps in the genetic underpinnings of autism and other neurodevelopmental conditions.
By
Brianna Abbott
25 June 2026 | 5 min read
Cooperating marmosets extend decision-making model of the brain
When a pair of marmosets works together to earn some marshmallow fluff, one of them decides to act only after its brain accumulates enough evidence about what the other is doing, new work shows.
Cooperating marmosets extend decision-making model of the brain
When a pair of marmosets works together to earn some marshmallow fluff, one of them decides to act only after its brain accumulates enough evidence about what the other is doing, new work shows.
By
Calli McMurray
24 June 2026 | 1 min watch