Jo Marchant

Jo Marchant is a freelance journalist specializing in science and history. After gaining a BSc in genetics from Leicester University[1] and a PhD in genetics[2] she became a science writer, and is the author of Decoding the Heavens,[3] an exploration of the history and significance of the Antikythera mechanism, The Shadow King: The Bizarre Afterlife of King Tut's Mummy and Cure: A Journey Into the Science of Mind Over Body[4] (shortlisted for the Royal Society Insight Investment Science Book Prize 2016).[5] A former editor of the science journal Nature and opinion editor at New Scientist magazine in London, she has written for The Guardian and The Economist.[2]

Marchant writes that "the idea for Decoding the Heavens came about in November 2006, when I was an editor at the science journal Nature. A research paper was due to be published revealing the workings of a sophisticated ancient device called the Antikythera mechanism. The story grabbed me immediately, and I was desperate to find out more about this mysterious contraption. I travelled to Athens to see the remains of the mechanism, and to meet those who have studied it and hear their stories."[6]

References

1. "Alumna wins top science writers award". Leicester University. 26 May 2017.
2. "Jo Marchant on science writing: 'You need a burning curiosity'". theguardian.com. 13 March 2013. Retrieved 6 August 2013.
3. Collins, Paul (25 February 2009). "Decoding the Heavens by Jo Marchant". www.newscientist.com. Retrieved 16 August 2019.
4. Senior, Jennifer (24 January 2016). "In 'Cure,' Accepting the Mind's Role in a Body's Health". New York Times. Retrieved 16 August 2016.
5. "Shortlist for The Royal Society Insight Investment Science Book Prize 2016 unveiled". royalsociety.org. Retrieved 22 September 2016.
6. "About Jo Marchand". decodingtheheavens.com. Archived from the original on 28 July 2012. Retrieved 6 August 2013.