I am a science writer based in Santa Fe, New Mexico. I have spent nearly all of my career writing for the New York Times, both as a staff writer and on contract. I also write books. A recent opus, The Body Has a Mind of Its Own, is described on my book pages. I am currently writing a book on how magicians hack your brain -- Sleights of Mind - with two neuroscientists. It will be published by Holt in fall 2010. Once this is done, I plan to return to science writing for the New York Times and other publications.

For the past fifteen years, I have specialized in the brain sciences, although I'm prepared to write on any interesting topic that comes my way. I particularly like stories about the environment, earth sciences and all things biological.

As the recipient of a Templeton Journalism Fellowship, I spent several weeks in the summer of 2007 at Cambridge University in England, discussing science and religion. I recently wrote an article on the neurophysiology of spiritual experience. (see articles)

For pleasure, I am a cyclist, hiker, skiier and runner. Recent adventures have taken me to Nepal (hiking to Annapurna Base Camp in a snowstorm), to Burma (moutain bike ride across the north), down the Colorado River in the Grand Canyon (the paddle boat is most fun) and, in August 2008, trekking in the unbelievably steep Japan Alps. 2009 took me to Italy. In 2010 and 2011, having spent the last two years writing books full time on tight deadlines, I intend to travel -- a lot!

I grew up in Port Washington, New York, attended Northwestern University for two years and transferred to the University of California at Berkeley where I graduated in 1965 with a major in poltical science. I went into the Peace Corps in 1965, to Sarawak, Borneo, where I lived upriver and taught elementary school. Upon returning in 1967, I was hired at the United Nations bureau of the New York Times as a clerk.. and the rest is history.

I have two adult children, Matt Blakeslee (a fourth generation science writer and co-author of our wonderful new book) and Abi Blakeslee Kelleher (a clinical psychologist). Matt recently moved his family to Santa Fe while Abi lives in Topanga, Calif. In Santa Fe, I live with my life partner, Carl Moore, a consultant who helps communities and non profits solve difficult problems.