Carl Zimmer
American science writer on evolution, parasites and heredity; writes the Origins column for the Times.
At a glance
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- Carl Zimmer is an American science writer who covers evolution, parasites and heredity.
- He writes the "Origins" column for The New York Times and is the author of 15 books, including Parasite Rex, She Has Her Mother's Laugh and Life's Edge.
- He started at Discover magazine in 1989 and was a senior editor there from 1994 to 1998.
- He is an adjunct professor of molecular biophysics and biochemistry at Yale University.
Key facts
- Writes
- "Origins" column, The New York Times (as of 2026); earlier the "Matter" column2
- Teaches
- Adjunct professor of molecular biophysics and biochemistry, Yale University (appointed 2016)1
- Earlier
- Discover magazine from 1989, senior editor from 1994 to 19981
- Books
- Parasite Rex (2000); Microcosm (2008); She Has Her Mother's Laugh (2018); Life's Edge (2021); Air-Borne (2025)1
- Awards
- National Academies Communication Award (2007); Stephen Jay Gould Prize (2016); asteroid 212073 Carlzimmer named for him (2021)1
- Newsletter
- Friday's Elk2
Roles
Part of
- The New York TimesOrganization
science columnist, "Origins" (as of 2026) source on The New York Times
Links
Sources
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