Russell McLendon is a science journalist and regular contributor to ScienceAlert. After graduating from the University of Georgia with degrees in journalism and anthropology, he spent three years as a newspaper reporter and editor before joining the startup Mother Nature Network (later merged with Treehugger), where he worked for 12 years as associate editor, science editor, and senior writer.

Now a freelance writer and editor, Russell covers a wide range of topics related to science and health, including astronomy, ecology, climate change, gardening, and human psychology.

When he isn’t working, Russell plays with his son, draws, runs, watches birds, and grows tomatoes for the squirrels in his garden.