JV Chamary
Science communicator
JV Chamary is an award-winning journalist with a PhD in evolutionary biology. He writes 'The Big Question' column for BBC Wildlife and specialises in explaining scientific concepts that appear in popular culture and covers health, nature and technology for Forbes. JV is the author of 50 Biology Ideas You Really Need to Know and was previously the features editor of BBC Science Focus magazine, writing about everything from gay genes and internet memes to the science of death and origin of life. Before switching to journalism and communication, he studied biology at Imperial College London and did his doctorate in molecular evolution and genetics at the University of Bath. His parents are from Mauritius, once home to the iconic Dodo bird. JV spends most of his spare time practising martial arts and lives in Bristol with two humans and one dog.
Recent articles by JV Chamary
5 simple ways to prime your microbiome for easier weight loss
You are what they eat, it turns out. So, here are five ways you can feed your gut’s microbes for effective weight loss.
How is RNA used in CRISPR and mRNA vaccines?
While DNA is perfect for storing biological information, RNA has proven better for applications in biotechnology. That's thanks to the molecule's versatility, which is closely tied to how RNA interacts with the immune system.
RNA: What it is, what it does, and why it’s one of life’s most important molecules
Besides being the genetic material that the ancestor of all living things may have used, RNA is integral to many essential processes inside our cells, and around the body.
Reality Check | More and more elephants are being born without tusks. A geneticist explains why.
A genetic analysis suggests that African elephants are losing their tusks. Could ivory poaching forever change elephant anatomy?
Metric Man | Can high street biometric tests really help you improve your health?
Technology can now help us record our daily activity, read DNA and measure everything from bad cholesterol to good bacteria, but can all that data help make you healthier?
We can change evolution
By using gene drives to tweak the DNA of organisms, we could eradicate diseases, reduce the use of toxic pesticides and halt invasive species in their tracks.
Recreating the Neanderthal brain
Scientists are growing 'mini-brains' containing Neanderthal genes. Could they reveal what made modern humans such a successful species?
Should 'genetic genealogy' really be used to crack cold cases?
Law enforcement agencies have started investigating unsolved crimes by combining DNA databases and family trees.
How genetic variants can be used to compare people
The human genome is over three billion letters long - here are three different ways to compare people.
How to use DNA databases to catch the perpetrator of a crime
DNA testing is helping to catch more criminals than ever - here's how it's done.
The Name Game: how names spell success in life and love
Usain Bolt just sounds like he should be fast, doesn't he? Your name can affect your standing at work, your success with the opposite sex - even where you choose to live. JV Chamary investigates nominative determinism.
Welcome to Gene Club: underground genome editing
Tools like CRISPR are allowing anyone to alter DNA – even amateurs. Who are they, and what are they up to? JV Chamary meets the biohackers...
Was the course of evolution inevitable?
Professor Jerry Coyne asks one of the biggest questions at the frontiers of evolutionary biology
The Future of Food
Last year, the world population reached 7 billion. With more mouths to feed, could synthetic meat help meet the growing demand for food? JV Chamary finds out.
The Science of Online Dating
Is there a formula for calculating compatibility and finding love online? JV Chamary finds out whether meeting your perfect partner is a problem that can be solved with an algorithm
Internet Memes
Videos and images are more than just entertainment: they're viruses of the mind that use you to spread to others. JV Chamary gets infected by the internet.
Should I google my date?
Living online is becoming the norm - but when should you share your relationship status? JV Chamary solves your digital love dilemmas with our guide to living in the Information Age.
Gay genetics
Most of us believe that we were born that way, but is sexual orientation in our DNA? JV Chamary goes in search of the gay gene