I'm deputy editor of Skeptical Inquirer science magazine and a Research Fellow with the non-profit educational organization the Committee for Skeptical Inquiry. I've written over a thousand articles on a wide variety of topics, including urban legends, the paranormal, critical thinking, and media literacy. I am also author or co-author of eight books: "Hoaxes, Myths, and Manias: Why We Need Critical Thinking" (with sociologist Robert E. Bartholomew); "Media Mythmakers: How Journalists, Activists, and Advertisers Mislead Us," examining the ways in which deception is used in various media to influence decision making and public policy; "Lake Monster Mysteries: Investigating the World's Most Elusive Creatures" (with Joe Nickell), a scientific examination of lake monsters around the world; "Scientific Paranormal Investigation: How to Solve Unexplained Mysteries" (which is pretty self-explanatory); "Tracking the Chupacabra: The Vampire Beast in Fact, Fiction, and Folklore"; "The Martians Have Landed! A History of Media-Driven Panics and Hoaxes" (with Bob Bartholomew); and my latest book, "Mysterious New Mexico: Miracles, Magic, and Monsters in the Land of Enchantment," a collection of 13 case study investigations I've conducted in my home state. In addition I've published one novel, "The Merchant of Dust." My next book, titled "Bad Clowns," will be published in Spring 2016 by the University of New Mexico Press. In all I have written, co-written, edited, or contributed to about 20 books. I'm a regular columnist for Discovery News, Skeptical Inquirer magazine, and the Skeptical Briefs newsletter. I'm also a founder and former co-host of the award-winning MonsterTalk podcast. I'm one of the world's few science-based paranormal investigators, and has done first-hand research into mysterious phenomena including psychics, ghosts and haunted houses; exorcisms, miracles, Bigfoot, stigmata, lake monsters, UFO sightings, reincarnation, and crop circles, and many other topics. I'm perhaps best known for solving the mysteries of the Santa Fe Courthouse Ghost in 2007, and the Hispanic vampire el chupacabra in 2010. I have a bachelor's degree in psychology and a masters degree in education, and I'm a member of the American Folklore Society and have spoken at their conferences. I regularly speak at universities, colleges, and conferences across the country about my investigations, and have appeared on the Discovery Channel, the History Channel, the National Geographic Channel, the Learning Channel, CBC, BBC, CNN, and other networks with three letters. I also served as a consultant for the MTV series "The Big Urban Myth Show" and an episode of the CBS crime drama "CSI." I've appeared in many publications including the Wall Street Journal, Wired, The New York Times, Vanity Fair, and Ladies' Home Journal, and quoted by Parade columnist (and world's smartest person) Marilyn vos Savant, Pink Floyd's Roger Waters, biologist Richard Dawkins, and others.