Sukanya Charuchandra Author Profile | The Scientist Magazine®

Formed of various flowers, this personification cartoon of a female botanist, painted by George Spratt, was pasted into Allen’s copy of The English Flora.

Sukanya Charuchandra | Jan 4, 2022 | 2 min read

Elaborate annotations hidden in a copy of Sir James Edward Smith’s The English Flora hinted at the life of a mysterious woman botanist.

Savant in the Limelight, 1988–2009

Sukanya Charuchandra | May 1, 2020 | 3 min read

Kim Peek, the inspiration for the title character in Rain Man, brought public attention to savant syndrome.

a drawing of one of Ruysch's creations, featuring fetal skeletons

Deathly Displays, circa 1662–1731

Sukanya Charuchandra | Dec 1, 2019 | 3 min read

Frederik Ruysch’s collections blended specimens for scientific discovery with macabre art.

Jorge Henao-Mejia Explores the Immune System’s Controls

Sukanya Charuchandra | Jan 1, 2019 | 3 min read

By tying together his understanding of the microbiome and nucleic acids, the UPenn immunologist is decoding the underlying causes of inflammation and disease.

Leukemia Relapses May Arise From Specialized Cells

Sukanya Charuchandra | Dec 1, 2018 | 2 min read

Targeting the transient group of cells could prevent recurrence of the disease.

Dialogue Improves Children’s Learning Abilities

Sukanya Charuchandra | Nov 1, 2018 | 3 min read

Regardless of parental income and education, children who engage in more two-way conversation with their parents learn better.

Defeating Fear Depends on Amygdala Suppression

Sukanya Charuchandra | Nov 1, 2018 | 1 min read

Researchers determine the neurological mechanics underpinning a technique to extinguish fearful memories using goal-directed eye movements.

Cranial Craters, 1000-1250

Sukanya Charuchandra | Nov 1, 2018 | 3 min read

Prehistoric Andeans seemed especially fond of trepanation—holes drilled in the skull as a treatment for various ills.

Maternal Obesity and Diabetes Linked to Autism in Children

Sukanya Charuchandra | Oct 1, 2018 | 5 min read

Inflammation may be a strong contender for the connection between mom’s weight and children’s neurodevelopment, according to lab studies on animals.

Image of the Day: Change of Tune

Sukanya Charuchandra | Oct 1, 2018 | 1 min read

Southeast Alaska’s humpback whales haven’t changed their calls for close to four decades.