My background

I was born in London, UK, and studied physics at Nottingham then Bristol universities. I went on to do research in materials science at Bristol for about 10 years.

In 1986, I moved to Italy, where I began working as a science writer and editor for a centre newly established UN science centre in Trieste.

Trieste is known locally as "Science City" for its wealth of scientific activity and range institutions. I remained there until 2002.

I now work from Oxford and Trieste (when in Italy), as a contributing correspondent for Science magazine (Washington); translator from Italian to English (scientific, medical and general texts); and editor for several Italian universities (Bologna, Padua, Trieste).

I make frequent trips to Italy, to keep myself up-to-date with news and language. See "My Italy" page.