J R MinkelJR Minkel holds a master's degree in science and environmental reporting from New York University and a B.S. in molecular biology from Vanderbilt University, where he dabbled in zebrafish genetics.

From 2006 to 2008 he covered space and phsics for ScientificAmerican.com. His freelance work has appeared in Scientific American, Popular Science, New Scientist, Discover, IEEE Spectrum, and The Scientist. From January to June 2008, he amused his colleagues by standing while he worked. Read More Read Less