[3] Her research included the role of the cerebellum in verbal function, learning, attention, and studying how the brain coordinates and executes cyclic movements.

She offered the example of evolution, in relation to which she said, "we don’t quote creationists,” while she added that “with climate change, you can disagree about what to do about [it], but the science of it is completely, comprehensively proven.”[13] While at the Washington Post, she oversaw the development of a video series called The Vaccine Project, written by Anna Rothschild and Brian Monroe, to address vaccine hesitancy.

[17][19] Scientific American endorsed Kamala Harris in the 2024 presidential election, writing that Donald Trump "endangers public health and safety and rejects evidence, preferring instead nonsensical conspiracy fantasies.

Following the election in November 2024 of Donald Trump as US President, Helmuth criticized his supporters in a series of Bluesky posts, calling them "fascists" and the "meanest, dumbest, most bigoted" group.

Helmuth's remarks received backlash on Twitter, where some commenters questioned what appeared to be a politicization of Scientific American under her editorial leadership, and the appropriateness of the editor of such a journal castigating voters for a presidential candidate.

Helmuth apologized for her "offensive and inappropriate" language and announced her decision to leave her post several days later.