I’m a journalist and writer with a special interest in health, medicine and science. I’ve written about infectious diseases from AIDS to Zika (yes, I really just did that), cancer, heart disease,  mental illness, new drugs, health policy and Alzheimer’s. I’ve watched space shuttle launches and tried to explain why it’s so cool that LIGO finally measured gravitational waves, why we should care how "Lucy" died and what her descendants got up to. I am not the same Maggie Fox who advocates on climate matters, but I've written a fair bit about the science of climate change.

 I try to specialize in writing in clear language that anyone can understand.

I believe in old-fashioned journalistic values: tell the truth, without bias. I believe in telling stories that matter, and in holding the powerful accountable. I believe in asking questions until you understand what's going on.

I am currently consulting. I have been a consulting editor for Medscape and WebMD, helping edit news and commentary for a website dedicated to Long Covid. I'm also hosting a podcast for the One Health Trust and working on a series about women and medical research for the Fuller Project. Most recently I worked as senior editor on the Health Unit at CNN. 

I’ve been global health and science editor for Reuters, managing editor for healthcare and technology at National Journal and senior writer for NBC News.

I've lived and worked in London, Hong Kong, Beirut, New York and Washington, DC. Before I specialized in health and science reporting, I wrote about politics, lifestyle, diplomacy and conflict, including the breakup of the former Yugoslavia; progress towards peace in Northern Ireland; the Philippine revolution, the Seoul Olympics, the Lebanese civil war and the Tiananmen Square massacre.

My career started in South Carolina, where I covered state and county politics, anchored radio news and did some stints as a radio DJ.

I did get a clip on the Daily Show once, and Jon Stewart didn't even make fun of me.

Find me on Mastodon