Natasha Gilbert is a freelance writer who has spent a decade covering the environment, biology, agriculture and education for outlets including The Guardian, National Public Radio and Scientific American. She is a former staff reporter for Nature. She has an M.Sc. in philosophy of science from the London School of Economics and a B.Sc. in environmental biology from the University of Reading in the U.K. She is a native Londoner living in Washington, D.C.
Natasha Gilbert
From this contributor
Snapshots reveal striking changes in adult brain over time
The most detailed depiction of an individual brain to date shows that the connections in a person's brain vary significantly over the course of a year and a half.
Snapshots reveal striking changes in adult brain over time
By
Natasha Gilbert
7 September 2015 | 5 min read
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Some facial expressions are less reflexive than previously thought
A countenance such as a grimace activates many of the same cortical pathways as voluntary facial movements.
Some facial expressions are less reflexive than previously thought
A countenance such as a grimace activates many of the same cortical pathways as voluntary facial movements.
By
Natalia Mesa
8 January 2026 | 5 min read
Cracking the neural code for emotional states
Rather than act as a simple switchboard for innate behaviors, the hypothalamus encodes an animal's internal state, which influences behavior.
Cracking the neural code for emotional states
Rather than act as a simple switchboard for innate behaviors, the hypothalamus encodes an animal's internal state, which influences behavior.
By
Natalia Mesa
8 January 2026 | 8 min read
Alex Maier argues that a scientific explanation of consciousness requires grounding in formalized mathematics
When it comes to discovering laws of nature for consciousness similar to those in physics, Maier argues that integrated information theory is the only game in town.
Alex Maier argues that a scientific explanation of consciousness requires grounding in formalized mathematics
When it comes to discovering laws of nature for consciousness similar to those in physics, Maier argues that integrated information theory is the only game in town.
By
Paul Middlebrooks
7 January 2026 | 1 min read