Marcus Cole
Senior Editor, Life Sciences
Marcus Cole spent a decade teaching high school biology before turning to journalism, driven by a passion for demystifying science. His explainers on CRISPR and mRNA vaccines for STAT News earned him a reputation for clarity and accuracy. As an editor, he guides our Life & Biology and Health & Medicine coverage, ensuring it is not only informative but also engaging and relatable. Marcus believes that understanding science is a fundamental aspect of modern citizenship, and his work aims to empower readers with knowledge.
Expertise
Coverage Areas
Latest Articles
Eli Lilly Obesity Drug Causes Widespread Gut Issues
Nearly half of the 70,000 GLP-1 drug users surveyed reported at least one side effect.
Jun 26, 2026 · 2 min read
Eli Lilly invests in AI startup Absci for new hair loss treatments
Despite 71% of adolescents with severe alopecia achieving successful hair regrowth with its existing drug, Eli Lilly is now betting on an early-stage AI startup for hair loss treatments.
Jun 25, 2026 · 2 min read
Judge Blocks Restrictions on SNAP Dollars Buying Candy
In a significant blow to state-level efforts to control food choices, a federal judge in Washington, D.
Jun 24, 2026 · 2 min read
Pfizer lung cancer drug: 60% progression-free after five years
After five years, 60% of patients with a specific type of lung cancer treated with Pfizer's lorlatinib were still alive without their disease progressing, a dramatic finding compared to just 8% on the
Jun 23, 2026 · 3 min read
FDA Pilot Program Accelerates Clinical Trials for Faster Drug Approvals
The FDA is now aiming to cut up to a year from early-stage clinical trials, following a recent decision to reduce required trials for drug approval from two to one.
Jun 23, 2026 · 3 min read
NSF cuts research programs for new tech initiative
The National Science Foundation has slashed budgets for hundreds of its basic science programs this fiscal year, marking a dramatic shift in federal research priorities.
Jun 23, 2026 · 2 min read
Phobos: Rapid orbit, asteroid-like characteristics
Mars' moon Phobos bears a massive impact crater, a cosmic scar so severe it nearly shattered the moon.
Jun 21, 2026 · 3 min read
Summer Solstice brings Northern Hemisphere its longest day
In London, the summer solstice on June 21 delivers a mere two seconds more daylight than the day after, according to Explainingscience.
Jun 21, 2026 · 3 min read
Blue Origin rebuilds pad as Relativity targets 2026 Mars
While Blue Origin rebuilds its New Glenn launch pad after a June explosion, Relativity Space and Impulse Space are already targeting 2026 for their first commercial robotic Mars lander mission.
Jun 20, 2026 · 2 min read
Executive Shuffle Highlights Rise of AI Leadership
Dr. Elena Petrova, former Head of Oncology R&D at PharmaCorp, didn't just resign last week; she immediately resurfaced as Chief Scientific Officer at BioGen Innovations, a Series B biotech. This sent
Jun 20, 2026 · 3 min read
Maternity deserts worsen Black maternal health crisis
From 2016 to 2020, Black women in Harris County faced the nation's highest pregnancy-related death rate: 83.
Jun 19, 2026 · 2 min read
Choosing the Best Probiotic Strains for Gut Health
While many probiotic supplements boast billions of CFUs, only a specific strain, LGG, has been shown to reduce the severity and duration of diarrhea by a full day.
Jun 18, 2026 · 6 min read
Gene Editing: Designer Babies' Ethical Risks & Global Oversight.
A recent UK law, poised to permit the sale of gene-edited food, was abruptly paused.
Jun 17, 2026 · 3 min read
Medicaid fraud playbook hits disability care, risks patient access
In Minnesota, around 3,400 home disability and mental health care providers abruptly lost Medicaid funding.
Jun 15, 2026 · 2 min read
Supermassive black holes may be birthing millions of exoplanets
Millions of Jupiter-mass 'dust giants' and 'lava balls' could be forming tens of parsecs from supermassive black holes, challenging everything we thought we knew about where planets are born, Space re
Jun 14, 2026 · 3 min read
Iran's Strait of Hormuz Disruptions Extend, Impacting Global Trade
Roughly 30% of global urea exports are currently stalled, unable to leave the Persian Gulf region due to Iran's intermittent closure of the Strait of Hormuz.
Jun 14, 2026 · 3 min read
WHO Declares Ebola Outbreak a Public Health Emergency
On May 15, 2026, two laboratory-confirmed Ebola cases, including one death, emerged in Kampala, Uganda, directly linked to travel from the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
Jun 14, 2026 · 3 min read
Trump administration plan could weaken Medicare drug price negotiation
In 2024, Medicare spent $125 billion on just 40 drugs, representing over one-third (36%) of its total drug budget, according to KFF .
Jun 13, 2026 · 3 min read
Ebola outbreak response engages religious leaders to sensitize followers
In eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo, tensions around Ebola response have escalated.
Jun 12, 2026 · 3 min read
Elite athletes' ACL recovery: The 9-12 month challenge
Despite a typical 9 to 12-month recovery period, only 55% of athletes return to competitive sport following ACL reconstruction, according to Cureus .
Jun 11, 2026 · 3 min read