Freelance Biologist/Writer

The creation of lively, dynamic, amusing but always accurate texts is the backbone of my editorial activity. It's aimed at a wide readership that loves anecdotes and bon mots, but also wants to learn, be informed or, quite simply, be amazed. Over the last few years, I've had the pleasure of receiving a wide variety of commissions from artists, researchers, designers and pharmacists, on subjects as diverse as the lucan kite (Link), diabetes (Link), water, the beginnings of botanical classification (Link), vitamins, tanning (Link), and botanical harvesting in pre-war Angola (Link). As a specialist in the Gentianaceae family, I have also produced a large number of articles on the subject for the general public over more than thirty years (Example). Finally, my regular work in the herbariums of Zurich has enabled me to produce a first book entitled ‘Herbarium Treasures’ (to be published in September 2024) in collaboration with the curator of the collections (link).

The proofreading aspect of my work may be of interest primarily to students in the biological or pharmaceutical sciences who wish to have their work professionally proofread before submission, to update their CVs or to obtain an effective covering letter. I am also available to publishers looking for reviewers. However, as I do not have a fixed contract with a university, I cannot offer this service free of charge.

Depending on the type of activity and the difficulty of the subject, the fee may be fixed (creation), hourly (correction, criticism, rewriting) or ‘per page’ (correction). The time taken to complete projects depends on their length and my specifications. An express/priority service may be requested, for an additional fee. I've received creative requests on Friday evenings, with a deadline of Monday morning... More recently, I spent the Christmas period dealing with a fascinating, but oh-so-difficult subject: the history of botanical classification.

I give lively, richly illustrated presentations, preferably for an adult audience interested in the various aspects of biodiversity (particular botanical groups, naturalist travel, the utilitarian aspect of plants, books, etc.), or in the history of the people who have written it (antiquity, the Age of Enlightenment, scientists, the history of science, etc.). Any other request can be dealt with within the limits of my expertise.

The fixed price includes documentary research, preparation and the duration of the service: short (15 min), medium (30 min) or long (45 min). Travel costs are also at the client's expense.

As a specialist in the Gentianaceae family, to which I devoted my two doctoral theses, I have a good overview of the diversity of this group. In particular, I carried out a taxonomic and nomenclatural revision (2022-24) of the collections held in the Herbiers réunis in Zurich (25,000 samples). I also have a good knowledge of some of the plant groups I have worked on (Arum, Biarum, Campanula, Echium, etc.) as well as the Swiss and French floras, with a preference for alpine and Mediterranean environments.

Part of the work (e.g. nomenclatural revision, type research) can be carried out remotely (home office). I travel for taxonomic revisions (e.g. determinations requiring a binocular magnifying glass). I offer hourly or flat-rate rates, plus travel and accommodation expenses.

This is a set of activities designed to generate, implement or analyse different types of data (scientific, historical, etc.). Examples include collecting plant material, drawing up botanical surveys, entering metadata linked to collections, taking photographs, carrying out bibliographical research, etc.

The work can be carried out remotely (teleworking) or in the field. I offer hourly or flat-rate rates, plus travel and accommodation expenses.

The photographs on this site are available for personal or educational use, after prior contact with the author of this site. For any other use, including commercial use, higher resolution images may be offered. Based on SOFAM rates, the total price depends on the number of images, the final publication source (website, book, etc.), the printed size, etc. An invoice will be issued for each request.