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. The latest is Sleights of Mind— what the neuroscience magic reveals about our everyday deceptions— written with two terrific neuroscientists, Stephen Macknik and Susana Martinez Conde. (Pub date Nov 9, 2010, Holt.) I'm now back to writing, on a freelance basis, for Science 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)

I have received two recent honors -- I am a fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science and a fellow of the Committee for Skeptical Inquiry.

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 I am off to Rajasthan India to ride my bike and to South America for some sightseeing and trekking.

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 Abi Blakeslee Kelleher (a clinical psychologist)— plus three grandchildren. Matt lives in Santa Fe while Abi now abides in Bozeman, Montana. In Santa Fe, I live with my life partner, Carl Moore, a consultant who helps communities and non profits solve difficult problems.

In November 2010 I went to Rajasthan, India, to ride my bike but 2011 turned disastrous when my elderly mother, fell, broke her ribs, entered hospice and never recovered. She died Oct 7, 2011. I was unable to do much work throughout the year because I was responsible for her care. I'm planning to press the re-set button in 2012. I am off to Bolivia and Peru in April 2012.