Michael Eisenstein.

Michael Eisenstein

Freelance Writer

Michael Eisenstein is a freelance writer covering a broad range of topics in biomedical research and biotechnology. Prior to working as a freelancer, he was on the founding editorial team of Nature Methods, where he served as news and technology editor. His writing has appeared in Nature, Nature Biotechnology, Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology News and Scientific American, among other publications.

Eisenstein has an M.S. in molecular biology from Rockefeller University and an Sc.B. in biology from Brown University.

From this contributor

Annette Dolphin.
Ion channels Microphone

Remembering Annette Dolphin, who helped explain gabapentin’s effects

By Michael Eisenstein
13 March 2026 | 7 min read
Spectrum from The Transmitter.
Spectrum

Treatments: In the waiting room

By Michael Eisenstein
6 December 2012 | 13 min read

Explore more from The Transmitter

Mother mouse and her offspring.
Pregnancy

Maternity induces lasting gene-expression changes in mouse brains

The findings add to a small but growing body of research on neurological changes linked to pregnancy, birth and parenting.

By Amber Dance
12 June 2026 | 5 min read
Map of socioeconomic opportunity in the United States next to visualizations of functional connectivity and structure in sensory and motor cortices.
Brain imaging

IQ’s link to brain structure, function in children may be a mirage

A child’s socioeconomic status, screen time and amount of sleep all show stronger associations with measures of brain structure and function, according to an imaging study of nearly 12,000 9- to 10-year-olds.

By Natalia Mesa
11 June 2026 | 5 min read
Photo collage of Tempest McDonald.
When autistic kids grow up Microphone

When autistic kids grow up, Chapter 2: “You need to go to college”

With just a high school equivalency degree and struggling as a single mother, Tempest McDonald is forced to shift her priorities.

By Brady Huggett
11 June 2026 | 28 min listen