Peter Hess was a reporter for Spectrum from 2019 to 2023, where he covered cannabinoids, autism prevalence, social hormones and other topics. Before joining Spectrum in 2019, he was associate science editor at Inverse, where he wrote and edited stories for a broad audience on a wide range of scientific topics, including drugs, evolution and environmental science. His work has also appeared in The Washington Post, New Scientist, Popular Science and Motherboard. Peter has an M.A. in science journalism from New York University’s Science, Health and Environmental Reporting Program. Find him on Twitter at @PeterNHess.
Peter Hess
Former news writer
Spectrum
From this contributor
Capturing autism’s sleep problems with devices nearable and wearable
Next-generation trackers could realize a long-standing research dream: conducting sleep studies in large numbers of autistic people.
Capturing autism’s sleep problems with devices nearable and wearable
By
Angie Voyles Askham, Peter Hess
6 June 2023 | 5 min read
Going on Trial: Epidiolex for autism; arbaclofen tests; pain monitoring
This month’s issue of Going on Trial takes a sneak peek at some early null results from a small trial of a cannabidiol-based drug for autism, among other recent drug developments.
Going on Trial: Epidiolex for autism; arbaclofen tests; pain monitoring
By
Peter Hess
30 May 2023 | 7 min read
Swings and misses with Jeremy Veenstra-VanderWeele
A careful clinician who prizes evidence, Jeremy Veenstra-VanderWeele is happy to embrace trial failures, as long as he learns from them.
Ruth Carper: Imaging the aging brain in autistic adults
Few studies have tracked how brain structure and function change across adulthood in people with autism. Carper and her colleagues are collecting data to fill this gap.
Ruth Carper: Imaging the aging brain in autistic adults
By
Peter Hess
19 May 2023 | 7 min read
Autism-related genes converge on microglia and dopamine in zebrafish
The findings add to the growing evidence that genes with disparate functions can play similar roles in brain development.
Autism-related genes converge on microglia and dopamine in zebrafish
By
Peter Hess
12 May 2023 | 4 min read
Explore more from The Transmitter
When autistic kids grow up, Chapter 4: How did things unfold?
Tempest McDonald sues Vanderbilt University Medical Center through the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. Her published NIH paper finds allies.
When autistic kids grow up, Chapter 4: How did things unfold?
Tempest McDonald sues Vanderbilt University Medical Center through the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. Her published NIH paper finds allies.
By
Brady Huggett
25 June 2026 | 27 min listen
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