I'm a features writer and Reviews Editor of Focus, the BBC's popular science magazine. I commission, edit and write articles on science, technology and popular culture, which means I'm interested in genes, gadgets and Ghostbusters.

A recovering academic, I studied biology at Imperial College London and evolutionary genetics at the University of Bath.

In my spare time, I practise martial arts and try to draw. I used to produce my own fanzine, Manganese, and the comic strip Freakfighter for Imperial's student newspaper.

JV stands for Jean-Vincent (I prefer "J") - my parents are from Mauritius, I was born in France and raised in England. I now live in Bristol with my yucca plant and laptop computer. Despite my best efforts, they're both alive and well.